Melvin Van Peebles
Known for Acting · 56 credits
- Born
- 1932-08-21
- Died
- 2021-09-21
- Place of birth
- Chicago, Illinois, USA
Biography
Melvin Van Peebles (born Melvin Peebles; August 21, 1932 – September 21, 2021) was an American actor, filmmaker, writer, and composer. His feature film debut, The Story of a Three-Day Pass (1967), was based on his own French-language novel La Permission and was shot in France, as it was difficult for a black American director to get work at the time. The film won an award at the San Francisco International Film Festival which gained him the interest of Hollywood studios, leading to his American feature debut Watermelon Man, in 1970. Eschewing further overtures from Hollywood, he used the successes he had so far to bankroll his work as an independent filmmaker.
In 1971, he released his best-known work, creating and starring in the film Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song, which led to the creation of the blaxploitation genre. although critic Roger Ebert did not consider this example of Van Peebles' work to be an exploitation film. He followed this up with the musical, Don't Play Us Cheap, based on his own stage play, and continued to make films, write novels and stage plays in English and in French through the next several decades; his final films include the French-language film Le Conte du ventre plein (2000) and the absurdist film Confessionsofa Ex-Doofus-ItchyFooted Mutha (2008). His son, filmmaker and actor Mario Van Peebles, appeared in several of his works and portrayed him in the 2003 biographical film Baadasssss!.
Known For
TV Shows (10)
Homicide: Life on the Street
1993
as Bennett Jackson
Girlfriends
2000
as Kenneth Daly
Living Single
1993
Dream On
1990
as Norman Green
The Shining
1997
as Richard Hallorann
Hallmark Hall of Fame
1951
as Bucket
Hollywood Black
2024
as Self (archive footage)
The Sophisticated Gents
1981
as Walter 'Moon' Porter
Sex: The Revolution
2008
Sonny Spoon
1988
Movies (46)
American Swing
2009
as Self
Boomerang
1992
as Editor
Last Action Hero
1993
as Self
Jaws: The Revenge
1987
as Mr. Witherspoon
Posse
1993
as Papa Joe
Hard Luck
2006
as Hospital Prophet
Terminal Velocity
1994
as Noble
Fist of the North Star
1995
as Asher
Panther
1995
as Old Jail Bird
BaadAsssss Cinema
2002
as Self
Identity Crisis
1989
as The Inspector
O.C. and Stiggs
1987
as Wino Bob
True Identity
1991
as Taxi Driver
Peeples
2013
as Grandpa Peeples
Blackout
2007
as George
Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song
1971
as Sweetback
Riot
1997
as Vernon
Redemption Road
2011
as Elmo
The Hebrew Hammer
2003
as Sweetback
Watermelon Man
1970
as Sign Painter (uncredited)
Armed
2018
as Grandpa V.
Gang in Blue
1996
as Andre Speier
Love Kills
1999
as Able
Wattstax
1973
as Self
America
1986
as Man Interviewed
The Black List: Volume Two
2009
as Self
Unstoppable
2005
as Self
Calm at Sunset
1996
as Mr. Bucket
René Vautier, le rebelle
2000
as Self
Making 'Do the Right Thing'
1989
as Self
Oscar Micheaux: The Superhero of Black Filmmaking
2021
as Self
SMUT
2006
as Elmoore
The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975
2011
as Self (voice)
Sweet Black Film: The Birth of the Black Hero in Hollywood
2022
as Self
Taking Care of Terrific
1988
as Hawk
Midnight Blue, Vol. 3: Celebrities Edition
2006
as Self (archive footage)
Farewell, Babylon!
1993
as Self
Satchmo: The Life of Louis Armstrong
1992
as Louis Armstrong (voice)
Directors on Directing
2009
as Self
How to Eat Your Watermelon in White Company (and Enjoy It)
2005
Confessions of a Ex-Doofus-ItchyFooted Mutha
2008
as Melvin Van Peebles
Sunlight
1957
Salty Dog Blues
2012
as Self (Interviewee)
Classified X
1998
as Self
The Real Deal: What It Is
2003
as Self
Infiltrating Hollywood: The Rise and Fall of the Spook Who Sat by the Door
2011
About Melvin Van Peebles
Melvin Van Peebles (born Melvin Peebles; August 21, 1932 – September 21, 2021) was an American actor, filmmaker, writer, and composer. His feature film debut, The Story of a Three-Day Pass (1967), was based on his own French-language novel La Permission and was shot in France, as it was difficult for a black American director to get work at the time. The film won an award at the San Francisco International Film Festival which gained him the interest of Hollywood studios, leading to his American feature debut Watermelon Man, in 1970. Eschewing… With 56 credits spanning from 1951 to 2024, Melvin Van Peebles has appeared in 46 films and 10 TV shows.
Fans searching for Melvin Van Peebles movies, Melvin Van Peebles filmography, or the latest projects starring Melvin Van Peebles can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Melvin Van Peebles Movies
- American Swing (2009) — as Self
- Boomerang (1992) — as Editor
- Last Action Hero (1993) — as Self
- Jaws: The Revenge (1987) — as Mr. Witherspoon
- Posse (1993) — as Papa Joe
Where to Watch Melvin Van Peebles Films
Most Melvin Van Peebles movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Melvin Van Peebles, check our movies catalogue and browse page.