Melvin Van Peebles
Acting
58
Acting Credits
16
Directed
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 ...
Known For
Filmography
Hollywood Black
2024
as Self (archive footage)
Sweet Black Film: The Birth of the Black Hero in Hollywood
2022
as Self
Oscar Micheaux: The Superhero of Black Filmmaking
2021
as Self
Armed
2018
as Grandpa V.
Peeples
2013
as Grandpa Peeples
Salty Dog Blues
2012
as Self (Interviewee)
The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975
2011
as Self (voice)
Infiltrating Hollywood: The Rise and Fall of the Spook Who Sat by the Door
2011
Redemption Road
2011
as Elmo
Directors on Directing
2009
as Self
The Black List: Volume Two
2009
as Self
American Swing
2009
as Self
Confessions of a Ex-Doofus-ItchyFooted Mutha
2008
as Melvin Van Peebles
Sex: The Revolution
2008
as Self
Blackout
2007
as George
Hard Luck
2006
as Hospital Prophet
SMUT
2006
as Elmoore
Midnight Blue, Vol. 3: Celebrities Edition
2006
as Self (archive footage)
Unstoppable
2005
as Self
How to Eat Your Watermelon in White Company (and Enjoy It)
2005
The Real Deal: What It Is
2003
as Self
The Hebrew Hammer
2003
as Sweetback
BaadAsssss Cinema
2002
as Self
René Vautier, le rebelle
2000
as Self
Girlfriends
2000
as Kenneth Daly
Love Kills
1999
as Able
Classified X
1998
as Self
Riot
1997
as Vernon
The Shining
1997
as Richard Hallorann
Calm at Sunset
1996
as Mr. Bucket
Gang in Blue
1996
as Andre Speier
Fist of the North Star
1995
as Asher
Panther
1995
as Old Jail Bird
Terminal Velocity
1994
as Noble
Posse
1993
as Papa Joe
Last Action Hero
1993
as Self
Farewell, Babylon!
1993
as Self
Living Single
1993
Homicide: Life on the Street
1993
as Bennett Jackson
Boomerang
1992
as Editor
Satchmo: The Life of Louis Armstrong
1992
as Louis Armstrong (voice)
True Identity
1991
as Taxi Driver
Dream On
1990
as Norman Green
Identity Crisis
1989
as The Inspector
Making 'Do the Right Thing'
1989
as Self
Taking Care of Terrific
1988
as Hawk
Sonny Spoon
1988
O.C. and Stiggs
1987
as Wino Bob
Jaws: The Revenge
1987
as Mr. Witherspoon
America
1986
as Man Interviewed
The Sophisticated Gents
1981
as Walter 'Moon' Porter
Wattstax
1973
as Self
Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song
1971
as Sweetback
Watermelon Man
1970
as Sign Painter (uncredited)
Pour le plaisir
1964
as Self
Seize millions de jeunes
1964
as Self
Sunlight
1957
Hallmark Hall of Fame
1951
as Bucket