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LL Cool J, born James Todd Smith, is an American cultural icon whose career spans rap, R&B, and acting. Signing with Def Jam in 1984, he broke through with "I Need a Beat" and the seminal album "Radio" (1985). With hits like "Mama Said Knock You Out" and "I'm Bad," he solidified his status as a hip-hop pioneer, earning two Grammys and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Transitioning to film, his roles in "Krush Groove" and "S.W.A.T." preceded his starring role in the TV series "NCIS: L.A." Since 2011, he has anchored this police procedural, balancing a legacy of musical innovation with television stardom.
The roles that explain the career.
39 credits across 2 departments.
| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | NCIS: New York | Sam Hanna | TV |
| 2025 | SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) | Film | |
| 2024 | James Brown: Say It Loud | Self | TV |
| 2022 | They Call Me Magic | Self | TV |
| 2018 | Q85: A Musical Celebration for Quincy Jones | Self | Film |
| 2013 | Grudge Match | Frankie Brite | Film |
| 2012 | Whitney Houston: We Will Always Love You | Self | Film |
| 2009 | DJ Cinema Presents: Masterpiece Theater Blend Dvd | Self (archive footage) | Film |
| 2009 | How Bruce Lee Changed the World | Self | Film |
| 2009 | NCIS: Los Angeles | Sam Hanna | TV |
| 2008 | The Deal | Bobby Mason | Film |
| 2007 | ShowBusiness: The Road to Broadway | Self | Film |
| 2006 | Last Holiday | Sean Matthews | Film |
| 2005 | Edison | Deed | Film |
| 2005 | Slow Burn | Luther Pinks | Film |
| 2004 | Mindhunters | Gabe Jensen | Film |
| 2003 | Deliver Us from Eva | Ray Adams | Film |
| 2003 | S.W.A.T. | Deacon 'Deke' Kaye | Film |
| 2003 | Beef | Self (archive footage) | Film |
| 2002 | Rollerball | Marcus Ridley | Film |
| 2001 | Kingdom Come | Ray Bud Slocumb | Film |
| 2000 | Charlie's Angels | Mr. Jones | Film |
| 1999 | In Too Deep | Dwayne Gittens / God | Film |
| 1999 | Any Given Sunday | Julian Washington | Film |
| 1999 | Deep Blue Sea | Preacher | Film |
| 1998 | Caught Up | Roger | Film |
| 1998 | Woo | Darryl | Film |
| 1998 | Halloween H20: 20 Years Later | Ronny | Film |
| 1997 | B.A.P.S | LL Cool J | Film |
| 1997 | Touch | LL Cool J | Film |
| 1995 | In the House | Marion Hill | TV |
| 1995 | The Show | Self | Film |
| 1995 | Out-of-Sync | Jason St. Julian | Film |
| 1992 | Toys | Patrick Zevo | Film |
| 1991 | The Hard Way | Billy | Film |
| 1991 | Simply Mad About the Mouse | Self | Film |
| 1986 | Wildcats | Rapper | Film |
| 1986 | Big Fun in the Big Town | Self | Film |
| 1985 | Krush Groove | LL Cool J | Film |
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