Ving Rhames Quick Info | |
---|---|
Height | 6 ft |
Weight | 88 kg |
Date of Birth | May 12, 1959 |
Zodiac Sign | Taurus |
Spouse | Deborah Reed |
Ving Rhames is an American actor known for his imposing hulk like presence. But, to those who know him personally, he is known for his benevolent acts towards other people much like a tender hero. His burst to fame came with his creepy role as Marsellus Wallace in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction. He has done endorsement work for numerous brands like ADT Home Security, Buick, Arby’s, and Motorola. A keen fitness enthusiast, Ving is known for his strong spiritual beliefs.
Born Name
Irving Rameses Rhames
Nick Name
Ving
Sun Sign
Taurus
Born Place
Harlem, New York City, New York, United States
Residence
Los Angeles, California, United States
Nationality
Education
Ving Rhames studied at the New York’s High School of Performing Arts. Later, he joined the State University of New York, Purchase to study drama. He took a transfer to the Juilliard School‘s Drama Division, from where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts in 1983.
Occupation
Actor, Producer
Family
- Father – Ernest Rhames (Auto Mechanic)
- Mother – Reather Rhames (Homemaker)
- Siblings – Junior Rhames (Older Brother) (Vietnam Veteran)
Manager
Ving Rhames is managed by Innovative Artists, Talent Agency, Santa Monica, California, United States.
Build
Bodybuilder
Height
6 ft or 183 cm
Weight
88 kg or 194 lbs
Girlfriend / Spouse
Ving Rhames has dated –
- Valerie Scott (1994-1999) – In July 1994, Ving married publicist and screenwriter Valerie Scott. However, after 5 years of marriage, they divorced in 1999.
- Deborah Reed (1999-Present) – Ving soon found love and in December 2000, he got married to actress, Deborah Reed. They have a daughter named Reign Beau Rhames (b. 2000), a son named Freedom Rhames (b. 2002), and a step-daughter named Tiffany Reed. Their marriage seems to be going strong still after all these years.
Race / Ethnicity
Black
He has African-American ancestry.
Hair Color
Bald
Eye Color
Dark Brown
Sexual Orientation
Straight
Distinctive Features
- Strong stern face
- Deep voice
Brand Endorsements
Ving Rhames has done endorsement work for brands like –
- ADT Home Security (2015)
- Buick (2012)
- Arby’s (Voiceover)
- Motorola
- E! Entertainment Television cable channel (2002)
- Radio Shack (2001)
Religion
Christianity
He states that the key to his successful career is the result of his strong religious belief.
Best Known For
- His role as sneaky cyberspy Luther Stickell in the Mission: Impossible film series. He has also appeared in various other popular films like Jacob’s Ladder (1990), Pulp Fiction (1994), Don King: Only in America (1997), Rosewood (1997), Con Air (1997), Bringing Out the Dead (1999), Dawn of the Dead (2004), Piranha 3D (2010), and Father Figures (2017).
- Lending his voice in animated films for numerous characters like Cobra Bubbles in Lilo & Stitch (2002), Stitch! The Movie (2003), and Leroy & Stitch (2006); and as Thaddeus in The Star (2017)
- Producing films including King of the Avenue (2010), Phantom Punch (2008), and Ascension Day (2007)
First Film
In 1986, he made his theatrical film debut in the drama film Native Son as Jack.
First TV Show
In January 1985, he made his first TV show appearance on American Playhouse.
Personal Trainer
Ving Rhames works out 4 to 5 times a week. He has a black belt in martial arts. He likes to lift weights and do a lot of running and boxing exercises to stay in shape.
Ving Rhames Facts
- He grew up on the 126th Street around the Harlem area in New York City.
- His name “Irving” is actually named after Irving R. Levine, who is a retired NBC journalist.
- Stanley Tucci, his fellow acting classmate at the State University of New York, Purchase gave him the nickname “Ving”.
- In 1998, he won the Golden Globe Award under the “Best Actor in Mini-Series or Motion Picture” category for the film Don King: Only in America. He graciously gave his Golden Globe Award to fellow actor Jack Lemmon at the award ceremony, stating that he deserved it more than him. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association later gave a duplicate award to Ving.
- In 1993, while filming at The Saint of Fort Washington in New York City, Ving was reunited with his estranged homeless older brother Junior, who was a Vietnam War veteran.
- He loves watching live major boxing events.
- Besides Tom Cruise, he is the only actor to have appeared in all the Mission Impossible films from 1996 to 2018.
- In 2008, Ving appeared in the music video of Ludacris‘s song “Southern Gangsta”, from the album Theater of the Mind.
- Ving has also lent his voice as one of the narrators during the Ultimate Fighting Championship in the past.
- He is not active on any social media website.
Featured Image by Flickering Myth / YouTube