Honestly, it is kinda wild to think that a guy who started out as a 17-year-old with a boombox and a Kangol hat became a permanent fixture on primetime television for nearly two decades. Most rappers from the 80s are lucky if they get a "where are they now" segment on a documentary. Not James Todd Smith. Whether you know him as the "Mama Said Knock You Out" legend or the guy from NCIS: Los Angeles, LL Cool J movies and TV shows represent one of the most successful pivots in Hollywood history.
He didn't just stumble into acting. He bulldozed his way in.
Back in 1985, he made a brief appearance in Krush Groove, basically just being himself. It was a cameo, sure, but the screen loved him. You could tell even then that he had that "it" factor. But the transition from being a hip-hop pioneer to a legitimate leading man wasn't exactly a straight line.
From the Stage to the Sitcom Life
By the mid-90s, the rap world was changing, and LL was looking for a new lane. That’s when In the House happened. It was a classic 90s sitcom—LL played Marion Hill, a former pro football player who ends up renting out rooms in his house to a single mom and her kids. It wasn't Shakespeare, but it proved he could carry a show.
The show ran for five seasons. It was basically his training ground. He learned timing, how to work a multi-cam setup, and how to appeal to people who didn't necessarily have Radio on cassette.
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What’s interesting is that while he was doing the sitcom thing, he was also sneaking into movies that felt a bit more... dangerous? He played a security guard in Halloween H20: 20 Years Later. People always joke about the "Black guy dies first" trope in horror, but LL’s character, Ronny, actually makes it to the end. That felt like a subtle win for the culture at the time.
The Action Hero Era: Sharks, SWAT, and Stone
The late 90s and early 2000s were arguably his peak "movie star" years. You've probably seen Deep Blue Sea. It’s that movie where super-intelligent sharks eat Samuel L. Jackson mid-speech. LL plays the cook, Sherman "Preacher" Dudley.
He’s great in it. He’s funny, he’s tough, and he has a pet parrot.
Then came Any Given Sunday. Working with Oliver Stone is no joke. LL played Julian Washington, a talented but selfish running back. He famously clashed with Jamie Foxx on set—to the point where things allegedly got physical—but that tension translated into a gritty, believable performance.
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- S.W.A.T. (2003): He played Deacon "Deke" Kaye. He looked the part, he did the stunts, and he held his own next to Colin Farrell.
- Last Holiday (2006): He played the romantic lead opposite Queen Latifah. It showed a softer, charming side that reminded everyone why he was the king of the rap ballad.
- Mindhunters (2004): A psychological thriller that’s better than people remember.
The NCIS Juggernaut
If we’re talking about LL Cool J movies and TV shows, we have to talk about Sam Hanna. In 2009, he joined NCIS: Los Angeles.
Fourteen seasons. That is a lifetime in TV years.
He played a former Navy SEAL, and he took the role seriously. He didn't just show up and read lines; he stayed in incredible shape and brought a level of gravitas to the procedural format. It’s the reason why, even in 2026, he’s still showing up in the NCIS universe, recently jumping over to NCIS: Hawai'i and making appearances in the flagship NCIS series.
He’s become one of those actors who feels like "TV comfort food." You know exactly what you’re getting: a professional, tough-but-fair performance with just enough charisma to keep you from changing the channel.
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Why Does It Work?
A lot of rappers try to act. Most of them fail because they can't stop being "the rapper." LL was different. He started using his birth name, James Todd Smith, in credits early on because he wanted people to see the character, not the guy who made "Doin' It."
He also isn't afraid to be the butt of the joke. Look at his guest spot on 30 Rock as the hip-hop producer "Ridiculous." Or his years hosting Lip Sync Battle. He’s got this weirdly perfect balance of being an intimidating physical presence and a guy who seems like he’d be fun at a barbecue.
The "Final" Word on His Legacy
So, what should you actually watch if you want to see the best of LL?
If you want pure 90s nostalgia, go with Deep Blue Sea or In Too Deep. If you want to see him actually "act" with a capital A, watch Any Given Sunday. And if you just want to see a man who has mastered the art of the TV procedural, pick any random episode of NCIS: LA.
The reality is that LL Cool J paved the way for guys like Ice Cube and Ludacris to have sustained Hollywood careers. He proved that you could be a "G.O.A.T." in one industry and a reliable veteran in another.
Next Steps for the LL Fan: Check out the 2024 album The FORCE if you haven't yet; it's his first musical project in a decade and reminds you why he was a legend before he ever stepped on a film set. Then, go back and watch his 1991 MTV Unplugged performance—it’s basically a masterclass in screen presence before he even had a lead movie role.