Ving Rhames

Birthday

1959-05-12

Place of Birth

New York City, New York, USA

Biography

An American actor best known for his work in Bringing Out the Dead, Pulp Fiction, Baby Boy, Don King: Only in America, and the Mission: Impossible film series. Rhames was born in New York City, New York, he entered New York's School of Performing Arts, where he discovered his love of acting. After high school, he studied drama at SUNY Purchase where he met fellow actor Stanley Tucci, who gave him his nickname "Ving". He later transferred to Juilliard, where he began his career in New York theater. Rhames first appeared on Broadway in the play The Winter Boys in 1984. Ving continued his rise to fame through his work in soap operas. He found work as a supporting actor, and came to the attention of the general public by playing the role of Marsellus Wallace in Pulp Fiction (1994). Rhames was also getting public exposure on television as Peter Benton's brother-in-law on the medical drama ER, a recurring role he filled for 3 seasons. Not long after, Rhames was cast with Tom Cruise as the ace computer hacker Luther Stickell in Brian De Palma's Mission: Impossible (1996). With solid performances in two of these highly popular productions, his face was now known to moviegoers; the work offers began rolling in more frequently and he can been seen in several popular films such as Con Air and Dawn of the Dead. Rhames won a Golden Globe in 1998 for best actor in a TV miniseries for his performance in HBO's Don King: Only in America. At the ceremony Rhames gave his award to fellow nominee Jack Lemmon (who is White), saying "I feel that being an artist is about giving, and I'd like to give this to you." Lemmon was clearly touched by the gesture as was the celebrity audience who gave Lemmon a standing ovation. Lemmon, who tried unsuccessfully to give the award back to Rhames said it was "one of the sweetest moments I've ever known in my life." The Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced later that they would have a duplicate award prepared for Rhames.
Free Trial Channels
Ving Rhames

Stream
Ben Schwartz
Movies & TV Shows Free

Plus full 80,000+ Prime Video Titles and more!

prime WATCH FREE

30-Day unlimited streaming

All Movies List

The Star

The Star

2017 6.3
The Star

as Thaddeus (voice)

2017
In Security

In Security

2014 5.1
In Security

as Officer Hall

2014
Monday Mornings

Monday Mornings

2013 7.7
Monday Mornings

as Dr. Jorge Villanueva

2013
Won't Back Down

Won't Back Down

2012 6.4
Won't Back Down

as Principal Thompson

2012
Mafia

Mafia

2011 3.9
Mafia

as Renzo Wes

2011
Piranha 3D

Piranha 3D

2010 5.5
Piranha 3D

as Deputy Fallon

2010
Gravity

Gravity

2010 6.5
Gravity

as Dogg McFee

2010
banner AD

Stream over
800,000 titles
with Prime Video

30-day Free Trial, cancel anytime

Try 30-Day Free