Life in Film: LL Cool J

Uncle L celebrates his birthday on Jan. 14.

Krush Groove (1985) - Shortly after catching a street buzz with the release of his debut single, “I Need a Beat,” LL Cool J made his film debut with a cameo in the hip hop classic Krush Groove. L’s brief scene — playing himself aggressively auditioning for a record deal — blew audiences away, not only turning him into rap music’s first solo superstar but also a potential movie star.(Photo: Crystalite Productions)

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Krush Groove (1985) - Shortly after catching a street buzz with the release of his debut single, “I Need a Beat,” LL Cool J made his film debut with a cameo in the hip hop classic Krush Groove. L’s brief scene — playing himself aggressively auditioning for a record deal — blew audiences away, not only turning him into rap music’s first solo superstar but also a potential movie star.(Photo: Crystalite Productions)

The Hard Way (1991) - Following the immense success of his 1990 LP Mama Said Knock You Out, the Queens-bred MC expanded his film acting chops, playing Detective Billy in the comedy The Hard Way. The film starred Michael J. Fox as a movie star who studies for a police role by riding shotgun with the NYPD.(Photo: Universal Pictures)

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The Hard Way (1991) - Following the immense success of his 1990 LP Mama Said Knock You Out, the Queens-bred MC expanded his film acting chops, playing Detective Billy in the comedy The Hard Way. The film starred Michael J. Fox as a movie star who studies for a police role by riding shotgun with the NYPD.(Photo: Universal Pictures)

In the House (1995) - At a time when rap music artists like Will Smith and Queen Latifah were jumping toward successful careers as TV actors, LL did the same when his show In the House hit the air. Playing Marion Hill, a former Oakland Raiders running back who finds himself in financial difficulties and forced to rent part of his home out to a single mother (Debbie Allen) and her two children, LL becomes lovable (and a respected actor) for mainstream audiences.(Photo: NBC)

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In the House (1995) - At a time when rap music artists like Will Smith and Queen Latifah were jumping toward successful careers as TV actors, LL did the same when his show In the House hit the air. Playing Marion Hill, a former Oakland Raiders running back who finds himself in financial difficulties and forced to rent part of his home out to a single mother (Debbie Allen) and her two children, LL becomes lovable (and a respected actor) for mainstream audiences.(Photo: NBC)

Woo (1998) - In this comedy about a gorgeous and extraverted woman (Jada Pinkett Smith) who meets insecure and straight-laced law clerk Tim (Tommy Davidson), the rapper stars as Darryl. The movie also includes Dwayne Martin and Dave Chappelle.(Photo: Gotham Entertainment Group)

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Woo (1998) - In this comedy about a gorgeous and extraverted woman (Jada Pinkett Smith) who meets insecure and straight-laced law clerk Tim (Tommy Davidson), the rapper stars as Darryl. The movie also includes Dwayne Martin and Dave Chappelle.(Photo: Gotham Entertainment Group)

Any Given Sunday (1999)  - LL landed a starring role in this classic football film where he played Julian Washington, a talented but selfish running back on a dysfunctional football team. The film is L’s first dramatic role, one which best showcases his acting skills.(Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures)

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Any Given Sunday (1999)  - LL landed a starring role in this classic football film where he played Julian Washington, a talented but selfish running back on a dysfunctional football team. The film is L’s first dramatic role, one which best showcases his acting skills.(Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures)

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Kingdom Come (2011)  - L stars in this ensemble comedy about a family (the Slocumbs), living out in the country, who come together after the death of a family member, whom no one seems to remember with much fondness. The film was based on the Off-Broadway play Dearly Departed. The cast included Whoopie Goldberg and Jada Pinkett Smith.(Photo: Fox Searchlight)

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Kingdom Come (2011)  - L stars in this ensemble comedy about a family (the Slocumbs), living out in the country, who come together after the death of a family member, whom no one seems to remember with much fondness. The film was based on the Off-Broadway play Dearly Departed. The cast included Whoopie Goldberg and Jada Pinkett Smith.(Photo: Fox Searchlight)

Deliver Us From Eva, Sunday at 2:30P/1:30C - Gabrielle Union's playing no games. Take a look at her life in film. (Photo: Focus Features)

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Deliver Us From Eva (2003) - In his first romantic comedy L plays opposite Gabrielle Union. The rapper-turned-actor is Ray, a meat delivery truck driver, who is paid to date a troublesome young lady named Eva (Union). The story is a modern, urban update of William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew.(Photo: Focus Features)

Last Holiday (2006) - Hall once again inhabited the role of the best friend in this film about a working class woman (Queen Latifah) who, upon finding out she has just weeks to live, splurges on the vacation she's always dreamed of. (Photo: Paramount Pictures) 

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Last Holiday (2006)  - In his next romantic comedy, L teamed with Queen Latifah. A shy cookware saleswoman (Latifah) is diagnosed with a terminal illness, so she decides to take a European vacation and live a lifetime of fun in a few weeks. In the process she finds love in the form of Mr. Cool J.(Photo: Paramount Pictures)

The Deal (2008) - LL is cast in this comedy about a down-and-out film producer who agrees to make his nephew's film about 19th-century English statesman Benjamin Disraeli. Production is halted, however, when the lead actor (LL Cool J) is kidnapped. So the producer hatches a scheme with a struggling creative executive to save the star and the movie.(Photo: Berk/Lane Entertainment)

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The Deal (2008) - LL is cast in this comedy about a down-and-out film producer who agrees to make his nephew's film about 19th-century English statesman Benjamin Disraeli. Production is halted, however, when the lead actor (LL Cool J) is kidnapped. So the producer hatches a scheme with a struggling creative executive to save the star and the movie.(Photo: Berk/Lane Entertainment)

LL Cool J - LL Cool J has showed the diversity of his acting chops over the years as he starred in the NBC comedy In the House for five seasons, starting in 1995, as a retired football player running a sports clinic with seasoned comedic actors Alfonso Ribeiro and Kim Wayans. After more success on the big screen, Uncle L returned to television in 2009 and has starred as agent Sam Hanna in the crime saga NCIS: Los Angeles for the past five years.  (Photo: CBS/Cliff Lipson /Landov)

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NCIS: Los Angeles (2009) - LL currently stars on this CBS police procedural, which is a spin-off of NCIS. He portrays Special Agent Sam Hanna, an ex–Navy SEAL who is fluent in Arabic and an expert on West Asian culture.(Photo: CBS/Cliff Lipson/Landov)