LL Cool J

Where to watch LL Cool J

• NCIS: Los AngelesTV Show · 2009

Biography

James Todd Smith (better known as LL Cool J, an acronym for Ladies Love Cool James; born January 14, 1968) is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He is one of the earliest rappers to achieve commercial success, alongside fellow new school hip hop acts Beastie Boys and Run-DMC. Signed to Def Jam Recordings in 1984, his breakthrough came with his single "I Need a Beat" and his landmark debut album, Radio (1985). He achieved further commercial and critical success with the albums Bigger and Deffer (1987), Walking with a Panther (1989), Mama Said Knock You Out (1990), Mr. Smith (1995), and Phenomenon (1997). His twelfth album, Exit 13 (2008), was his last in his long-tenured deal with Def Jam. A two-time Grammy Award winner, LL Cool J is known for hip hop songs such as "Going Back to Cali", "I'm Bad", "The Boomin' System", "Rock the Bells", and "Mama Said Knock You Out", as well as R&B hits such as "Doin' It", "I Need Love", "Around the Way Girl" and "Hey Lover". In 2010, VH1 placed him on their "100 Greatest Artists Of All Time" list. In 2017, LL Cool J became the first rapper to receive the Kennedy Center Honors. In 2021, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with an award for Musical Excellence. While he first appeared as a rapper in the movie Krush Groove (performing "I Can't Live Without My Radio"), his first acting part was a small role in a high school football movie called Wildcats. He continued to work in movies from then until 1995 when he landed his own television sitcom, In the House (1995-2000). He has appeared in numerous films, including Last Holiday, Edison, Mindhunters, S.W.A.T., Deliver Us from Eva, Rollerball, Charlie's Angels, In Too Deep, Any Given Sunday, Deep Blue Sea, Halloween H20, B.A.P.S., Toys, and The Hard Way. In 2005, he returned to television in a guest starring role on the FOX medical drama House. He also guest starred on 30 Rock in 2007, and on Sesame Street 's 39th season where he introduced the word of the day, "Unanimous” and performed "The Addition Expedition" in episode 4172 (Sept. 30, 2008). As of 2011, he stars as Special Agent Sam Hanna on CBS's police procedural NCIS: L.A., a spin-off of NCIS. He was also the host of MTV's Lip Sync Battle.

Filmography

1. 2025Stansas Self
2. 2025Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Musicas Self (archive footage)
3. 2025SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)
4. 20222022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonyas Self
5. 2022Supreme Teamas Self · 3 episodes
6. 2022They Call Me Magicas Self · 4 episodes
7. 2021NCIS: Hawaiʻias Sam Hanna · 12 episodes
8. 2021Biggie: I Got a Story to Tellas Self - Hip-Hop Artist (archive footage)
9. 2020One World: Together at Homeas Self
10. 2015Lip Sync Battleas Host · 92 episodes
11. 2014The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute to the Beatlesas Self - Host
12. 2013Grudge Matchas Frankie Brite
13. 2012Finding Your Rootsas Self · 1 episode
14. 2010Hawaii Five-0as Sam Hanna · 1 episode
15. 2009WWII in HDas Shelby Westbrook (voice) · 10 episodes
16. 2009NCIS: Los Angelesas Sam Hanna · 323 episodes
17. 2009How Bruce Lee Changed the Worldas Self
18. 2008The Dealas Bobby Mason
19. 2007ShowBusiness: The Road to Broadwayas Self
20. 200630 Rockas Ridikolus · 1 episode
21. 2006Last Holidayas Sean Williams
22. 2005Slow Burnas Luther Pinks
23. 2005Edisonas Deed
24. 2005So You Think You Can Dance1 episode
25. 2005American Dad!as Sam Hanna (voice) · 1 episode
26. 2004Project Runwayas Self - Guest Judge · 1 episode
27. 2004Houseas Clarence · 1 episode
28. 2004Mindhuntersas Gabe Jensen
29. 2003NCISas Sam Hanna · 6 episodes
30. 2003S.W.A.T.as Deacon 'Deke' Kaye
31. 2003Beefas Self (archive footage)
32. 2003Jennifer Lopez: The Reel Meas Self
33. 2003Deliver Us from Evaas Ray Adams
34. 2002American Idolas Self - Guest Judge · 1 episode
35. 2002Rollerballas Marcus Ridley
36. 2001Kingdom Comeas Ray Bud Slocumb
37. 2000Charlie's Angelsas Mr. Jones
38. 1999Any Given Sundayas Julian Washington
39. 1999In Too Deepas Dwayne Gittens / God
40. 1999Teen Choice Awardsas Self · 1 episode
41. 1999Deep Blue Seaas Preacher
42. 1999WWE Friday Night SmackDownas Self · 1 episode
43. 1998Halloween H20: 20 Years Lateras Ronny
44. 1998Wooas Darryl
45. 1998Caught Upas Roger
46. 1997Ozas Jiggy Walker · 1 episode
47. 1997B.A.P.Sas LL Cool J
48. 1997Touchas LL Cool J
49. 1997The Chris Rock Showas Self · 1 episode
50. 1995MADtvas Self - Host · 2 episodes
51. 1995The Showas Self
52. 1995Out-of-Syncas Jason St. Julian
53. 1995In the Houseas Marion Hill · 76 episodes
54. 1993The Adventures of Pete & Peteas Mr. Throneberry · 1 episode
55. 1992Toysas Patrick Zevo
56. 1991The Hard Wayas Billy
57. 1989MTV Unpluggedas Self · 1 episode
58. 1986Wildcatsas Rapper
59. 1985Krush Grooveas LL Cool J
60. 1949The Emmy Awardsas Self · 1 episode