The Evolution of Ice Cube

How Ice Cube evolved from rapper to actor to film producer.

Boyz N the Hood - Ice Cube made his acting debut as Doughboy in the 1991 John Singleton film.

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Boyz N the Hood - Ice Cube made his acting debut as Doughboy in the 1991 John Singleton film.

Barber Shop - Ice Cube played Calvin in this hit film, based on a day in the life of a South Side Chicago barbershop.

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Barber Shop - Ice Cube played Calvin in this hit film, based on a day in the life of a South Side Chicago barbershop.

Cedric the Enterainer in Barbershop - The salt-and-pepper look is usually a distinguished look on a man, but in Cedric the Entertainer's case—with the big afro and part—we can't co-sign. (Photo: FilmStills.net/Retna Ltd)

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Barbershop 2: Back In Business - The first Barbershop film was such a big success that the all-star cast reunited for a sequel. Pictured here with Ice Cube are Cedric The Entertainer and Queen Latifah. (Photo: FilmStills.net)

Three Kings - This was the movie that proved once and for all that Ice Cube wasn't just a rapper on the big screen but a legitimate actor in his own right. Cube won a Blockbuster Entertainment Award in 2000 for Favorite Action Team.

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Three Kings - This was the movie that proved once and for all that Ice Cube wasn't just a rapper on the big screen but a legitimate actor in his own right. Cube won a Blockbuster Entertainment Award in 2000 for Favorite Action Team.

Quiet on the Set - Ice Cube with co-stars George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg on the set of the 1999 film Three Kings. (Photo: Getty Images)

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Quiet on the Set - Ice Cube with co-stars George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg on the set of the 1999 film Three Kings. (Photo: Getty Images)

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Are We There Yet? - After taking on many tough-guy roles, Cube decided to show a softer side and do a family film.

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Are We There Yet? - After taking on many tough-guy roles, Cube decided to show a softer side and do a family film.

The Red Carpet - Ice Cube with co-stars Nia Long, Aleisha Allen and Philip Bolden at the Are We There Yet? premiere on January 9, 2005, at the Mann Village in Los Angeles.  (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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The Red Carpet - Ice Cube with co-stars Nia Long, Aleisha Allen and Philip Bolden at the Are We There Yet? premiere on January 9, 2005, at the Mann Village in Los Angeles. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

xXx: State of the Union - Ice Cube plays Darius Stone, a secret agent who is sent to Washington, D.C., to defuse a power struggle between national leaders.

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xXx: State of the Union - Ice Cube plays Darius Stone, a secret agent who is sent to Washington, D.C., to defuse a power struggle between national leaders.

First Sunday - Ice Cube plays Durell, a petty criminal who has a big heart.

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First Sunday - Ice Cube plays Durell, a petty criminal who has a big heart.

The Long Shots - The true story of Jasmine Plummer, who, at the age of eleven, became the first female to play in the Pop Warner football tournament in its 56-year history. Ice Cube plays her uncle Curtis.

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The Long Shots - The true story of Jasmine Plummer, who, at the age of eleven, became the first female to play in the Pop Warner football tournament in its 56-year history. Ice Cube plays her uncle Curtis.

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The Longshots - Ice Cube on the red carpet with co-star Keke Palmer on August 20, 2008, at the Majestic Crest Theatre, in Westwood, California. (Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

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The Longshots - Ice Cube on the red carpet with co-star Keke Palmer on August 20, 2008, at the Majestic Crest Theatre, in Westwood, California. (Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Lottery Ticket - Ice Cube not only acted in this film but was also the executive producer.

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Lottery Ticket - Ice Cube not only acted in this film but was also the executive producer.

From Rapper To Actor - Ice Cube has appeared in almost three dozen films, produced over two dozen, and written and directed several more—he is definitely a cornerstone of BET Star Cinema.

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From Rapper To Actor - Ice Cube has appeared in almost three dozen films, produced over two dozen, and written and directed several more—he is definitely a cornerstone of BET Star Cinema.