Born Tracy Marrow on February 16, 1958 in Newark, New Jersey, rapper Ice-T has made a name for himself as an actor and an author. Both of his parents have died of heart attacks, which led him to live with his paternal aunt in California. He attended Crenshaw High School in Los Angeles, and entered the 25th Infantry Division in the United States Army after graduation. He left the army with the hopes of entering the music industry, beginning his extremely long music career by recording raps for various studios. His first song was titled “The Coldest Rap,” and was released in 1982. He soon landed a deal with the major label Sire Records, soon releasing his debut album called Rhyme Pays in 1987. He went on to become rap music's original gangster, writing songs like “Six in the Mornin” and “New Jack Hustler.”
Ice-T was also able to break into the acting industry. His debut film came when the producers of the movie Breakin’ asked him to rap in the movie. He was then cast in Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo, after two years of his first album’s release. He soon embarked on a serious career in acting, landing roles in Mario Van Peebles’ film New Jack City and 1992’s Trespass. This was followed by an acclaimed performance as the lead in Surviving the Game in 1994. He was also given many supporting roles, playing J-Bone in Johnny Mnemonic and a mutant in 1995’s Tank Girl. He has also starred with fellow rappers Ed Lover, Dr. Dre and Fab 5 Freddy on the Ted Demme-directed Who’s the Man? Other than films, Ice-T has ventured into television. He was given a recurring role on the series New York Undercover, playing a vengeful drug dealer. This was followed by a role in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, as a former undercover gang member. His character is named Odafin “Fin” Tutuola and has had several various identities. Ice-T was also cast in Exiled: A Law & Order Movie, as the pimp Seymour “Kingston” Stockton. Some of Ice-T’s other projects include an appearance on Chappelle’s Show in 2003, and voicing a character on the videogame Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. He was also seen on the thriller 3000 Miles to Graceland and on MTV’s sketch comedy show Short Circuitz.
1984: Breakin'
1984: Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo
1984: Be Somebody... or Be Somebody's Fool!
1991: New Jack City
1991: Ricochet
1992: Why Colors?
1992: Trespass
1993: Who's the Man?
1994: Surviving the Game
1995: Tank Girl
1995: Johnny Mnemonic
1996: Franken!$#!#
1997: Mean Guns
1997: The Deli
1997: Below Utopia
1997: Space Ghost Coast to Coast
1998: Crazy Six
1998: Exiled
1999: Sonic Impact
1999: Frenzo Smooth
1999: The Wrecking Crew
1999: The Heist
1999: Judgement Day
1999: Urban Menace
1999: Stealth Fighter
1999: Final Voyage
1999: Jacob Two Two Meets the Hooded Fang
1999: Corrupt
2000: Guardian
2000: Sanity, Aiken's Artifact
2000: Gangland
2000: Leprechaun in the Hood
2000: The Alternate
2000: The Disciples
2001: Stranded
2001: Kept
2001: Tara
2001: Crime Partners 2000
2001: 3000 Miles to Graceland
2001: Point Doom
2001: Deadly Rhapsody
2001: R, Xmas
2001: Ticker
2001: Out Kold
2001: Ablaze
2001: Air Rage
2002: On the Edge
2004: Up In Harlem
2004: Lexie