LL Cool J
Acting
James Todd Smith (better known as LL Cool J, an acronym for Ladies Love Cool James; born January 14, 1968) is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He is one of the earliest rappers to achieve commercial success, alongside fellow new school hip hop acts Beastie Boys and Run-DMC. Signed to Def Jam Recordings in 1984, his breakthrough came with his single "I Need a Beat" and his landmark debut album, Radio (1985). He achieved further commercial and critical success with the albums Bigger and Deffer (1987), Walking with a Panther (1989), Mama Said Knock You Out (1990), Mr. Smith (1995), and Phenomenon (1997). His twelfth album, Exit 13 (2008), was his last in his long-tenured deal with Def Jam. A two-time Grammy Award winner, LL Cool J is known for hip hop songs such as "Going Back to Cali", "I'm Bad", "The Boomin' System", "Rock the Bells", and "Mama Said Knock You Out", as well as R&B hits such as "Doin' It", "I Need Love", "Around the Way Girl" and "Hey Lover". In 2010, VH1 placed him on their "100 Greatest Artists Of All Time" list. In 2017, LL Cool J became the first rapper to receive the Kennedy Center Honors. In 2021, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with an award for Musical Excellence. While he first appeared as a rapper in the movie Krush Groove (performing "I Can't Live Without My Radio"), his first acting part was a small role in a high school football movie called Wildcats. He continued to work in movies from then until 1995 when he landed his own television sitcom, In the House (1995-2000). He has appeared in numerous films, including Last Holiday, Edison, Mindhunters, S.W.A.T., Deliver Us from Eva, Rollerball, Charlie's Angels, In Too Deep, Any Given Sunday, Deep Blue Sea, Halloween H20, B.A.P.S., Toys, and The Hard Way. In 2005, he returned to television in a guest starring role on the FOX medical drama House. He also guest starred on 30 Rock in 2007, and on Sesame Street 's 39th season where he introduced the word of the day, "Unanimous” and performed "The Addition Expedition" in episode 4172 (Sept. 30, 2008). As of 2011, he stars as Special Agent Sam Hanna on CBS's police procedural NCIS: L.A., a spin-off of NCIS. He was also the host of MTV's Lip Sync Battle.
Known for
Acting138
NCIS: New York
2026
Sam Hanna
movieQuincy Jones, Music Man
2025
Self (archive footage)
movieStans
2025
Self
tvHip Hop Was Born Here
2025
Self - Host
movieLadies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music
2025
Self (archive footage)
tvFat Joe Talks
2024
Self - Guest
tvSuperfan
2023
Self
tvPayback
2022
Self - Funeral Attendee (archive footage)
movieYou're Watching Video Music Box
2021
Self (archive footage)
tvNCIS: Hawaiʻi
2021
Sam Hanna
movieBiggie: I Got a Story to Tell
2021
Self - Hip-Hop Artist (archive footage)
Henry Louis Gates Jr.: Uncovering America
2019
Self - Musician and Actor
tvDesus & Mero
2019
Self - Illustrious Guest
tvShut Up and Dribble
2018
Self - Musician
tvSteve
2017
Self
tvHot Ones
2015
Self
tvLate Night with Seth Meyers
2014
Self - Guest
tvThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
2014
Self / Self - Guest
movieGrudge Match
2013
Frankie Brite
Mayweather
2013
Narrator
tvConan
2010
Self - Guest`````` / Self - Guest
tvThe Talk
2010
Self
tvHawaii Five-0
2010
Sam Hanna
tvWWII in HD
2009
Shelby Westbrook (voice)
tvNCIS: Los Angeles
2009
Sam Hanna
tvWatch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
2009
Self - Guest
DJ Cinema Presents: Masterpiece Theater Blend Dvd
2009
Self (archive footage)
movieThe Deal
2008
Bobby Mason
The Man
2007
Manny Baxter
tv30 Rock
2006
Ridikolus
movieLast Holiday
2006
Sean Matthews
movieSlow Burn
2005
Luther Pinks
movieEdison
2005
Deed
tvAmerican Dad!
2005
Sam Hanna (voice)
tvProject Runway
2004
Self - Guest Judge
tvHouse
2004
Clarence
movieMindhunters
2004
Gabe Jensen
tvNCIS
2003
Sam Hanna
movieS.W.A.T.
2003
Deacon 'Deke' Kaye
movieBeef
2003
Self (archive footage)
movieDeliver Us from Eva
2003
Ray Adams
tvJimmy Kimmel Live!
2003
Self / Self - Guest
tvAmerican Idol
2002
Self - Guest Judge
movieRollerball
2002
Marcus Ridley
movieIt's Black Entertainment
2002
Self (archive footage)
movieKingdom Come
2001
Ray Bud Slocumb
movieCharlie's Angels
2000
Mr. Jones
movieAny Given Sunday
1999
Julian Washington
movieIn Too Deep
1999
Dwayne Gittens / God
tvTeen Choice Awards
1999
Self / Self - Presenter
movieDeep Blue Sea
1999
Preacher
movieWoo
1998
Darryl
movieCaught Up
1998
Roger
tvThe View
1997
Self
tvOz
1997
Jiggy Walker
movieB.A.P.S
1997
LL Cool J
movieTouch
1997
LL Cool J
movieThe Right to Remain Silent
1996
Charles Red Taylor
tvMADtv
1995
Self - Host / Self
movieOut-of-Sync
1995
Jason St. Julian
tvIn the House
1995
Marion Hill
tvMTV Europe Music Awards
1994
Self - Presenter
tvThe Adventures of Pete & Pete
1993
Mr. Throneberry
tvLate Night with Conan O'Brien
1993
Self - Guest
tvLate Show with David Letterman
1993
Self - Guest
movieToys
1992
Patrick Zevo
tvLIVE with Kelly and Mark
1988
Self - Guest
tvKids' Choice Awards
1987
Self - Co-Host
movieWildcats
1986
Rapper
movieKrush Groove
1985
LL Cool J
tvMTV Video Music Awards
1984
Self - Host / Self
tvSaturday Night Live
1975
Self - Musical Guest
tvPeople's Choice Awards
1975
Self - Presenter
tvToday
1952
Self
Production3
tvHip Hop Was Born Here
2025
Executive Producer
movieA GRAMMY Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop
2023
Executive Producer
tvStory of Cool
2018
Executive Producer
Creator1
tvHip Hop Was Born Here
2025
Creator
