Mario Van Peebles facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mario Van Peebles
Van Peebles on stage as father Melvin in 2024
Born	Mario Cain Van Peebles (1957-01-15) January 15, 1957 (age 68) Mexico City, Mexico
Other names	Matthews
Alma mater	Columbia University
Occupation	Actor film director
Years active	1968–present
Children	5, including Mandela Van Peebles
Parent(s)	Melvin Van Peebles (father)

Mario Van Peebles is a famous American director and actor. He was born on January 15, 1957. He is well-known for his roles in movies like Heartbreak Ridge (1986). He also directed and starred in New Jack City (1991) and USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage (2016). Mario is the son of Melvin Van Peebles, who was also a filmmaker and actor. Mario even played his father in the movie Baadasssss! (2003), which he also helped write and direct.

Early Life and Education

Mario Van Peebles was born in Mexico City, Mexico. His father was Melvin Van Peebles, a well-known writer, director, actor, and musician. His mother was Maria Marx. Mario often traveled with his parents between Europe and the USA.

He studied economics at Columbia University. In 2021, he was invited to speak at his college's graduation ceremony.

Mario's Acting and Directing Career

First Roles in the Late 1960s

Mario Van Peebles first appeared on screen in 1968. This was in the TV show One Life to Live. In 1971, he acted in the movie Sweet Sweetback's ... Song. His father, Melvin Van Peebles, directed and starred in this film. Mario played his father's character as a child.

This movie became very popular. It showed Hollywood that there was a large audience for movies with black actors. This helped create a new type of film called Blaxploitation. Mario also acted in a TV movie called Crosscurrent that same year.

Early 1980s: More Acting Roles

Mario returned to acting in 1981. He appeared in the TV miniseries The Sophisticated Gents. In 1984, he played the main villain in the action movie Exterminator 2. The movie's producers liked his performance. They made his character more important in the story.

That same year, Mario was a dancer in Francis Ford Coppola's movie The Cotton Club. In 1985, he got his first main role. He played Rappin' John Hood in the film Rappin'. His character was an ex-convict who tried to save his neighborhood.

Late 1980s: Directing and Breakthrough

In 1985, Mario acted in several films. These included the comedy Delivery Boys and the drama South Bronx Heroes. He also appeared in a TV film and an episode of The Cosby Show.

In 1986, he was in the film 3:15 and the comedy Last Resort. He also acted in the military film Heartbreak Ridge with Clint Eastwood. This movie was about the United States Marine Corps.

In 1987, he appeared in the sports film Hotshot. He also acted in Jaws: The Revenge, which was the fourth Jaws movie.

In 1988, Mario starred in the TV detective show Sonny Spoon. The show only lasted two seasons. This show was also where he first tried directing. He directed one episode of Sonny Spoon.

Mario Van Peebles in 1991

In 1989, he directed episodes for other TV shows. These included Top of the Hill and 21 Jump Street. He also acted in two episodes of 21 Jump Street.

In the early 1990s, Mario acted in the TV film Blue Bayou. He also appeared in an episode of In Living Color. In 1991, he directed Malcolm Takes a Shot. This was a TV special about a high school basketball player. Mario had a small role in it as a doctor. He was nominated for an award for his directing.

His first big movie as a director was New Jack City in 1991. It was a gangster film where he also acted. Other stars included Wesley Snipes and Ice-T. The movie cost about $8 million to make. It was shown at the Sundance Film Festival. New Jack City earned over $47 million, making it the most successful independent film of 1991.

1990s and 2000s: Continued Success

In 1992, Mario acted in two TV films. In 1993, he directed and starred in Posse. This was a Western movie with many actors. It told the story of black soldiers who were betrayed by a bad colonel. That same year, he was in the science fiction film Full Eclipse.

In 1994, he worked with actor Christopher Lambert. They starred together in Gunmen. Mario also played the main villain in Highlander III: The Sorcerer.

In 1995, Mario directed and co-starred in Panther. This movie was based on a book by his father. It showed the story of the Black Panther Party. The film won awards at the Locarno International Film Festival.

In 1996, he acted in TV shows like Living Single. He also played the main role in the science fiction film Solo. His movie Gang in Blue was released that year. He directed it with his father and also acted in it.

In 1997, he appeared in X-Files and several films. In 1998, he directed and starred in Love Kills, a comedy. He also acted in the TV miniseries Mama Flora's Family.

In the early 2000s, Mario continued acting in many films and TV shows. In 2001, he co-starred in the film Ali. For this role, he was nominated for an award.

In 2003, his movie Baadasssss! was released. This film was about how his father made the movie Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song. Mario directed the film and played his father. The movie was praised by critics and won many awards.

He continued to act and direct throughout the 2000s. He directed episodes of TV shows like Damages and Law & Order. In 2009, Mario and his family had their own reality TV show called Mario's Green House.

2010s to Today: Busy with Film and TV

In 2010, Mario acted in two films. He also directed an episode of Lost and the film Redemption Road.

In 2011, he directed the sports drama All Things Fall Apart. He also had a role in this movie. He directed episodes for the TV series Boss.

Mario Van Peebles in 2014

In 2012, Mario wrote, directed, and acted in We the Party. This comedy was about five friends in a diverse high school. It showed their lives, including romance, money, and social media. He also acted in American Warships.

From 2013 to 2015, he directed episodes for many popular TV shows. These included NCIS and Nashville. He also acted in some of these shows.

In 2014, Mario wrote, directed, and acted in Red Sky. This was an action thriller movie. He also directed episodes of Once Upon a Time.

In 2015, he directed episodes for The Last Ship and Empire.

In 2016, he directed the film USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage. This movie was based on the true story of a ship lost during World War II. It starred Nicolas Cage. He also directed an episode of Roots.

In 2017, he directed more TV episodes. He also created and produced the TV series Superstition. He directed and acted in many episodes of that show.

Activism and Causes

In 2014, Mario Van Peebles made a public video. It supported the idea of Washington, D.C. becoming a state. He joined a campaign to get 51 celebrities to support this cause.

Filmography

Film Roles

Television Roles

Directing Work

Stage Acting

• Waltz of the Stork (1982)

Images for kids

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  Mario Van Peebles as his father Melvin in 2024

See also

In Spanish: Mario Van Peebles para niños