Melvin Van Peebles
Acting
Melvin Van Peebles (born Melvin Peebles; August 21, 1932 – September 21, 2021) was an American actor, filmmaker, writer, and composer. His feature film debut, The Story of a Three-Day Pass (1967), was based on his own French-language novel La Permission and was shot in France, as it was difficult for a black American director to get work at the time. The film won an award at the San Francisco International Film Festival which gained him the interest of Hollywood studios, leading to his American feature debut Watermelon Man, in 1970. Eschewing further overtures from Hollywood, he used the successes he had so far to bankroll his work as an independent filmmaker. In 1971, he released his best-known work, creating and starring in the film Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song, which led to the creation of the blaxploitation genre. although critic Roger Ebert did not consider this example of Van Peebles' work to be an exploitation film. He followed this up with the musical, Don't Play Us Cheap, based on his own stage play, and continued to make films, write novels and stage plays in English and in French through the next several decades; his final films include the French-language film Le Conte du ventre plein (2000) and the absurdist film Confessionsofa Ex-Doofus-ItchyFooted Mutha (2008). His son, filmmaker and actor Mario Van Peebles, appeared in several of his works and portrayed him in the 2003 biographical film Baadasssss!.
Known for
Acting58
tvHollywood Black
2024
Self (archive footage)
movieArmed
2018
Grandpa V.
moviePeeples
2013
Grandpa Peeples
movieSalty Dog Blues
2012
Self (Interviewee)
movieThe Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975
2011
Self (voice)
Confessions of a Ex-Doofus-ItchyFooted Mutha
2008
Melvin Van Peebles
movieBlackout
2007
George
movieHard Luck
2006
Hospital Prophet
movieSMUT
2006
Elmoore
movieMidnight Blue, Vol. 3: Celebrities Edition
2006
Self (archive footage)
movieThe Hebrew Hammer
2003
Sweetback
tvGirlfriends
2000
Kenneth Daly
movieRiot
1997
Vernon
tvThe Shining
1997
Richard Hallorann
movieCalm at Sunset
1996
Mr. Bucket
movieGang in Blue
1996
Andre Speier
moviePanther
1995
Old Jail Bird
moviePosse
1993
Papa Joe
tvHomicide: Life on the Street
1993
Bennett Jackson
movieBoomerang
1992
Editor
movieSatchmo: The Life of Louis Armstrong
1992
Louis Armstrong (voice)
movieTrue Identity
1991
Taxi Driver
tvDream On
1990
Norman Green
movieIdentity Crisis
1989
The Inspector
movieJaws: The Revenge
1987
Mr. Witherspoon
movieO.C. and Stiggs
1987
Wino Bob
movieAmerica
1986
Man Interviewed
tvThe Sophisticated Gents
1981
Walter 'Moon' Porter
movieWatermelon Man
1970
Sign Painter (uncredited)
Writing18
Confessions of a Ex-Doofus-ItchyFooted Mutha
2008
Writer
movieBellyful
2000
Writer, Novel
movieClassified X
1998
Writer
moviePanther
1995
Screenplay, Novel
tvThe Sophisticated Gents
1981
Teleplay
movieGreased Lightning
1977
Screenplay, Writer
movieDon't Play Us Cheap
1973
Theatre Play, Screenplay
movieSlogan
1969
Writer
movie500 Francs
1961
Writer
Directing16
Confessions of a Ex-Doofus-ItchyFooted Mutha
2008
Director
movieBellyful
2000
Director
movieGang in Blue
1996
Director
movieTales of Erotica
1996
Director
tvThe Outer Limits
1995
Director
movieVrooom Vrooom Vroooom
1995
Director
movieIdentity Crisis
1989
Director
movie976-STUD
1989
Director
movieDon't Play Us Cheap
1973
Director
movieWatermelon Man
1970
Director
movie500 Francs
1961
Director
movieSunlight
1957
Director
Sound7
movieBellyful
2000
Original Music Composer
movieVrooom Vrooom Vroooom
1995
Original Music Composer
movieDon't Play Us Cheap
1973
Songs, Original Music Composer
movieSweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song
1971
Original Music Composer
movieWatermelon Man
1970
Original Music Composer
movie500 Francs
1961
Original Music Composer
Production6
movieBellyful
2000
Executive Producer
movieGang in Blue
1996
Producer
moviePanther
1995
Producer
movieVrooom Vrooom Vroooom
1995
Producer
movieIdentity Crisis
1989
Producer