Wesley Trent Snipes (July 31, 1962) is an American actor. Snipes has starred in numerous action-adventures, thrillers, and dramatic feature films.
Biography[]
Born in Orlando, Florida, and developed an interest in acting and martial arts at a young age. He studied drama at the High School for the Performing Arts in New York City and later attended the State University of New York at Purchase, where he further honed his acting skills. Snipes began his acting career in the 1980s with small roles in television and film. He gained attention for his performances in movies like "Wildcats" (1986) and "Major League" (1989), but it was his breakout role as Nino Brown, a drug lord in the film "New Jack City" (1991), that catapulted him to stardom. His portrayal of the charismatic yet ruthless character showcased his versatility as an actor and established him as a leading man in Hollywood.
Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Snipes became known for his roles in action films, often showcasing his martial arts skills. He starred in the highly successful "Blade" trilogy (1998-2004), portraying the titular character, a half-vampire, half-human vampire hunter. The "Blade" series solidified Snipes' status as an action star and remains one of his most iconic roles.
In addition to his work in action films, Snipes has appeared in a variety of genres, including dramas like "Jungle Fever" (1991) and "The Waterdance" (1992), comedies like "White Men Can't Jump" (1992) and "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar" (1995), and thrillers like "Murder at 1600" (1997) and "U.S. Marshals" (1998).
Snipes' career has not been without its challenges. In 2008, he was convicted of willful failure to file federal income tax returns and served a three-year prison sentence from 2010 to 2013. Despite this setback, Snipes returned to acting after his release and has continued to work in film and television.
Snipes as Blade
In recent years, Snipes has appeared in projects such as the television series "The Player" (2015) and the films "Chi-Raq" (2015) "Dolemite Is My Name" (2019) and "Coming 2 America" (2021) both alongside Eddie Murphy. He has also continued to pursue his passion for martial arts and has trained in various disciplines, including karate, kung fu, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Wesley Snipes' contributions to the entertainment industry, both as an actor and a martial artist, have left an indelible mark, inspiring audiences and fellow performers alike. His talent, versatility, and dedication to his craft have cemented his status as one of Hollywood's most iconic and respected figures.
Filmography[]
- "Wildcats" (1986)
- "Streets of Gold" (1986)
- "Critical Condition" (1987)
- "Major League" (1989)
- "Vietnam War Story II" (1990) - TV Movie
- "Mo' Better Blues" (1990)
- "King of New York" (1990)
- "New Jack City" (1991)
- "Jungle Fever" (1991)
- "White Men Can't Jump" (1992)
- "The Waterdance" (1992)
- "Passenger 57" (1992)
- "Boiling Point" (1993)
- "Demolition Man" (1993)
- "Rising Sun" (1993)
- "Sugar Hill" (1993)
- "Drop Zone" (1994)
- "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar" (1995)
- "Money Train" (1995)
- "The Fan" (1996)
- "America's Dream" (1996) - TV Movie
- "Murder at 1600" (1997)
- "One Night Stand" (1997)
- "U.S. Marshals" (1998)
- "Down in the Delta" (1998)
- "Blade" (1998)
- "Play It to the Bone" (1999)
- "The Art of War" (2000)
- "Disappearing Acts" (2000) - TV Movie
- "Liberty Stands Still" (2002)
- "ZigZag" (2002)
- "Undisputed" (2002)
- "Blade II" (2002)
- "Unstoppable" (2004)
- "Blade: Trinity" (2004)
- "7 Seconds" (2005)
- "The Marksman" (2005)
- "Chaos" (2005)
- "The Detonator" (2006)
- "Hard Luck" (2006)
- "The Contractor" (2007)
- "Brooklyn's Finest" (2009)
- "Gallowwalkers" (2012)
- "Game of Death" (2011)
- "The Expendables 3" (2014)
- "Chi-Raq" (2015)
- Armed Response" (2017)
- "The Recall" (2017)
- "Dolemite Is My Name" (2019)
- "Cut Throat City" (2020)
- "Coming 2 America" (2021)