---
name: "Ving Rhames"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/ving-rhames"
fi1m_id: "ving-rhames"
imdb_id: "nm0000609"
tmdb_id: 10182
wikidata_id: "Q310315"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "12 May 1959"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 18
average_fi1m_score: 72
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 17
updated: "2026-10-23T04:06:06.059286+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Ving Rhames

## Identity

Ving Rhames

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/ving-rhames
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** ving-rhames
- **IMDb ID:** nm0000609
- **TMDB ID:** 10182
- **Wikidata ID:** Q310315
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ving_Rhames, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q310315, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000609/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/10182

Actor. Born 12 May 1959 in New York City, New York, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 12 May 1959, New York City, New York, USA
- **Active:** 1990–present
- **Also known as:** Вінг Реймс, Irving Rameses Rhames 
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 18: 17 acting, 1 other
- **Frequently works with:** [Tom Cruise](https://film.one/person/tom-cruise.md), [Christopher McQuarrie](https://film.one/person/christopher-mcquarrie.md), [Simon Pegg](https://film.one/person/simon-pegg.md), [J.J. Abrams](https://film.one/person/j-j-abrams.md), [Paula Wagner](https://film.one/person/paula-wagner.md), [Rebecca Ferguson](https://film.one/person/rebecca-ferguson.md), [Chris Sanders](https://film.one/person/chris-sanders.md), [Erik Jendresen](https://film.one/person/erik-jendresen.md)
- **Golden Globes:** 1 Golden Globe (1 won)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 72, as actor, over 17 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 75 (6), 2000s 69 (3), 2010s 77 (4), 2020s 68 (5)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 72 to 68 across 17 titles
- **Score spread:** 7 at 80+, 7 at 60–79, 3 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 16 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Adventure 10, Action 9, Thriller 7, Comedy 4, Crime 4, Animation 3
- **Screen time:** 34 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $6,557m across 16 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ving_Rhames, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q310315, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000609/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/10182

## Coming up

- *The Mongoose* (2026-10-29), as Tanker — [page](https://film.one/film/the-mongoose.md)

## Streaming the US now

- **Apple TV:** [*Mission: Impossible - Fallout*](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-fallout.md) (87), [*Pulp Fiction*](https://film.one/film/pulp-fiction.md) (82), [*Mission: Impossible*](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible.md) (81), [*Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation*](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-rogue-nation.md) (76), [*Dope Thief*](https://film.one/tv/dope-thief.md) (74), [*Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning*](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-the-final-reckoning.md) (63)
- **Paramount+:** [*Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One*](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-dead-reckoning-part-one.md) (74), [*Mission: Impossible III*](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-iii.md) (70), [*Mission: Impossible II*](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-ii.md) (55)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The Wild Robot*](https://film.one/film/the-wild-robot.md) (80), [*Jacob's Ladder*](https://film.one/film/jacobs-ladder.md) (80)
- **Disney+:** [*Lilo & Stitch*](https://film.one/film/lilo-and-stitch.md) (82)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Ving Rhames

> Ving Rhames brings a deep voice and an imposing presence to supporting parts, but we value the gentleness he can find beneath them. His best work lets him be more than the man who sounds important.

Buddy Bragg telephones his sister to confess after every job in *Out of Sight* (1998). Rhames makes this large criminal the gentlest person in Soderbergh's film, and the contrast is funny without being forced. We were touched by those calls, because his need to confess makes him vulnerable without turning him into a joke. Soderbergh gives him room to be gentle and funny, and Rhames does not strain for either.

The breakthrough was the crime boss Marsellus Wallace in *Pulp Fiction* (1994). His deep voice and imposing presence made him an obvious choice for threatening parts, which have sometimes limited what films ask of him. Yet his delivery is controlled enough to be useful without a threat attached, particularly when he is working within an ensemble. The danger is familiarity: a film hands him a serious sentence and assumes that hearing him say it will be enough.

Luther Stickell, introduced in *Mission: Impossible* (1996), gave that steadiness a lasting use alongside Tom Cruise. Rhames has played him in all eight films, providing reassuring continuity even when the briefings become hard work. In Christopher McQuarrie's *Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One* (2023), he and Simon Pegg remain dependable while the film spends too long explaining its algorithm.

*Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning* (2025) goes further, giving Luther a long speech about our lives being the sum of our choices. Rhames has the authority for it, but the film is too willing to treat that as sufficient reason to stop and listen. We would rather see him given something to respond to than another solemn pronouncement.

In Chris Sanders's *The Wild Robot* (2024), he voices Thunderbolt, the falcon who takes over the flying lessons. It is a small part, but a useful reminder that his delivery can establish who is in charge without requiring a lengthy speech. We recommend the film, though its last third lets action crowd out feeling. For Rhames with room to be gentle and funny, start with *Out of Sight*.

## Biography

Ving Rhames is an American actor. Born Irving Rameses Rhames on 12 May 1959 in New York City, he trained at the High School of Performing Arts, the State University of New York at Purchase, and the Juilliard School, from which he graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in drama in 1983. He began his career in New York theatre and Shakespeare in the Park productions before making his screen debut in 1985.

Rhames gained prominence for his role as Marsellus Wallace in *Pulp Fiction* (1994). He is also known for portraying IMF agent Luther Stickell in the *Mission: Impossible* film series, appearing in all eight instalments from *Mission: Impossible* (1996) to *Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning* (2025). Other film roles include Buddy Bragg in *Out of Sight* (1998) and the voice of Thunderbolt in *The Wild Robot* (2024). He has also appeared in the series *Dope Thief* (2025) as Bartram 'Bart' Driscoll.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (18)

### Performed in (17) — the average rests on these

- *Dope Thief* (2025), Fi1m 74, as Bartram 'Bart' Driscoll — [page](https://film.one/tv/dope-thief.md)
- *Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning* (2025), Fi1m 63, as Luther Stickell — [page](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-the-final-reckoning.md)
- *The Garfield Movie* (2024), Fi1m 47, as Otto (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-garfield-movie.md)
- *The Wild Robot* (2024), Fi1m 80, as Thunderbolt (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-wild-robot.md)
- *Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One* (2023), Fi1m 74, as Luther Stickell — [page](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-dead-reckoning-part-one.md)
- *Mission: Impossible - Fallout* (2018), Fi1m 87, as Luther Stickell — [page](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-fallout.md)
- *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2* (2017), Fi1m 64, as Charlie-27 — [page](https://film.one/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2.md)
- *Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation* (2015), Fi1m 76, as Luther Stickell — [page](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-rogue-nation.md)
- *Mission: Impossible III* (2006), Fi1m 70, as Luther — [page](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-iii.md)
- *Lilo & Stitch* (2002), Fi1m 82, as Cobra Bubbles (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/lilo-and-stitch.md)
- *Mission: Impossible II* (2000), Fi1m 55, as Luther Stickell — [page](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-ii.md)
- *Entrapment* (1999), Fi1m 49, as Aaron Thibadeaux — [page](https://film.one/film/entrapment.md)
- *Out of Sight* (1998), Fi1m 86, as Buddy Bragg — [page](https://film.one/film/out-of-sight.md)
- *Con Air* (1997), Fi1m 74, as Nathan "Diamond Dog" Jones — [page](https://film.one/film/con-air.md)
- *Mission: Impossible* (1996), Fi1m 81, as Luther — [page](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible.md)
- *Pulp Fiction* (1994), Fi1m 82, as Marsellus Wallace — [page](https://film.one/film/pulp-fiction.md)
- *Jacob's Ladder* (1990), Fi1m 80, as George — [page](https://film.one/film/jacobs-ladder.md)

### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol* (2011), Fi1m 82, as Luther Stickell (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-ghost-protocol.md)

## Complete filmography (142)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *The Mongoose* (2026), as Tanker — coming soon, [page](https://film.one/film/the-mongoose.md)
- *History's Deadliest with Ving Rhames* (2026), series, as Narrator/Self
- *Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning* (2025), as Luther Stickell — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-the-final-reckoning.md)
- *Dope Thief* (2025), series, as Bartram 'Bart' Driscoll — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/dope-thief.md)
- *Uppercut* (2025), as Elliott Duffond
- *The Wild Robot* (2024), as Thunderbolt (voice) — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/the-wild-robot.md)
- *The Instigators* (2024), as Frank Toomey
- *The Garfield Movie* (2024), as Otto (voice) — Fi1m 47, [page](https://film.one/film/the-garfield-movie.md)
- *Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One* (2023), as Luther Stickell — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-dead-reckoning-part-one.md)
- *Legacy* (2023), series, as Guy Simmons
- *The Locksmith* (2023), as Frank
- *Wendell & Wild* (2022), as Buffalo Belzer (voice)
- *Mission: Impossible - Fallout* (2018), as Luther Stickell — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-fallout.md)
- *Con Man* (2018), as Peanut
- *Father Figures* (2017), as Rod Hamilton
- *The Star* (2017), as Thaddeus (voice)
- *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2* (2017), as Charlie-27 — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2.md)
- *A Sunday Horse* (2016), as Mr. Valentine
- *Operator* (2015), as Richard
- *Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation* (2015), as Luther Stickell — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-rogue-nation.md)
- *In Security* (2014), as Officer Hall
- *A Day Late and a Dollar Short* (2014), as Cecil
- *Force of Execution* (2014), as Ice Man
- *Jamesy Boy* (2014), as Conrad
- *Percentage* (2013), as Porter
- *Monday Mornings* (2013), series, as Dr. Jorge Villanueva
- *Death Race: Inferno* (2013), as Weyland
- *Won't Back Down* (2012), as Principal Thompson
- *Art of Submission* (2012), as Gene
- *Soldiers of Fortune* (2012), as Grimaud
- *Piranha 3DD* (2012), as Deputy Fallon (uncredited)
- *7 Below* (2012), as Jack
- *Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol* (2011), as Luther Stickell (uncredited) — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-ghost-protocol.md)
- *Zombie Apocalypse* (2011), as Henry
- *Julia X* (2011), as The Man
- *The River Murders* (2011), as Captain Langley
- *Pimp Bullies* (2011), as Miguel
- *Mafia* (2011), as Renzo Wes
- *Black Jack* (2011), series, as Black Jack
- *The Wrath of Cain* (2010), as Cain
- *Death Race 2* (2010), as Weyland
- *King of the Avenue* (2010), as Norman / De'Sha
- *Piranha 3D* (2010), as Deputy Fallon
- *Operation: Endgame* (2010), as Judgement
- *Love Chronicles: Secrets Revealed* (2010), as Mike
- *Gravity* (2010), series, as Dogg McFee
- *Master Harold... and the Boys* (2010), as Sam
- *Surrogates* (2009), as Prophet
- *The Bridge to Nowhere* (2009), as Drug Dealer
- *The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard* (2009), as Jibby Newsome
- *The Tournament* (2009), as Joshua Harlow
- *Echelon Conspiracy* (2009), as Agent Dave Grant
- *Evil Angel* (2009), as Carruthers
- *Give 'em Hell, Malone* (2009), as Boulder
- *Saving God* (2008), as Armstrong Cane
- *Phantom Punch* (2008), as Sonny Liston · Producer
- *Day of the Dead* (2008), as Captain Rhodes
- *A Broken Life* (2007), as The Vet
- *Animal 2* (2007), as James 'Animal' Allen
- *I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry* (2007), as Duncan
- *Ascension Day* (2007), as Producer
- *American Gangster* (2006), series, Actor
- *Idlewild* (2006), as Spats
- *Aquaman* (2006), as McCaffery
- *Aquaman* (2006), series, as McCaffery
- *Leroy & Stitch* (2006), as Cobra Bubbles (voice)
- *Mission: Impossible III* (2006), as Luther — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-iii.md)
- *Shooting Gallery* (2005), as Cue Ball Carl Bridgers
- *Back in the Day* (2005), as J-Bone · Executive Producer
- *Animal* (2005), as Animal · Executive Producer
- *Kojak* (2005), series, as Theo Kojak
- *The Lost Tape: Andy's Terrifying Last Days Revealed* (2004), as Kenneth (voice)
- *Dawn of the Dead* (2004), as Kenneth
- *Jimmy Neutron: Operation: Rescue Jet Fusion* (2003), as Chief (voice)
- *Lilo & Stitch: The Series* (2003), series, as Cobra Bubbles (voice)
- *Stitch! The Movie* (2003), as Cobra Bubbles (voice)
- *Beef* (2003), as Narrator (voice)
- *Sin* (2003), as Eddie Burns
- *Dark Blue* (2002), as Arthur Holland
- *Lilo & Stitch Read-Along* (2002), as Cobra Bubbles (voice)
- *RFK* (2002), as Judge Jones
- *Undisputed* (2002), as George 'Iceman' Chambers
- *Lilo & Stitch* (2002), as Cobra Bubbles (voice) — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/lilo-and-stitch.md)
- *Little John* (2002), as John Morgan
- *Icons* (2002), series, Actor
- *Sins of the Father* (2002), as Garrick Jones
- *UC: Undercover* (2001), series, Actor
- *UC: Undercover* (2001), as Quito Real
- *The Proud Family* (2001), series, as Garrett Krebs (voice)
- *Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within* (2001), as Sgt. Ryan Whitaker (voice)
- *Baby Boy* (2001), as Melvin 'Mel'
- *Holiday Heart* (2000), as Holiday Heart
- *American Tragedy* (2000), as Johnnie Cochran
- *The District* (2000), series, as Attorney General Troy Hatcher
- *Mission: Impossible II* (2000), as Luther Stickell — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible-ii.md)
- *Bringing Out the Dead* (1999), as Marcus
- *Entrapment* (1999), as Aaron Thibadeaux — Fi1m 49, [page](https://film.one/film/entrapment.md)
- *Out of Sight* (1998), as Buddy Bragg — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/out-of-sight.md)
- *Body Count* (1998), as Pike
- *Don King: Only in America* (1997), as Don King
- *The Wonderful World of Disney* (1997), series, Actor
- *Con Air* (1997), as Nathan "Diamond Dog" Jones — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/con-air.md)
- *Rosewood* (1997), as Mann
- *Dangerous Ground* (1997), as Muki
- *Striptease* (1996), as Shad
- *Mission: Impossible* (1996), as Luther — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/mission-impossible.md)
- *Deadly Whispers* (1995), as Det. Jackson
- *Kiss of Death* (1995), as Omar
- *Ed McBain's 87th Precinct: Lightning* (1995), as Detective Artie Brown
- *Drop Squad* (1994), as Garvey
- *ER* (1994), series, as Walter Robbins — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/er.md)
- *Pulp Fiction* (1994), as Marsellus Wallace — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/pulp-fiction.md)
- *New York Undercover* (1994), series, as Max Villareal
- *The Saint of Fort Washington* (1993), as Little Leroy
- *Dave* (1993), as Duane Stevenson
- *Bound by Honor* (1993), as Ivan
- *Terror on Track 9* (1992), as Jellyroll
- *Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot* (1992), as Mr. Stereo
- *The People Under the Stairs* (1991), as Leroy
- *Iran: Days of Crisis* (1991), series, as Charles Jones
- *Murder in Oakland* (1991), as Sergeant Blue
- *Homicide* (1991), as Randolph
- *Flight of the Intruder* (1991), as McRae
- *The Long Walk Home* (1990), as Herbert Cotter
- *Jacob's Ladder* (1990), as George — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/jacobs-ladder.md)
- *When You Remember Me* (1990), as Leon
- *Rising Son* (1990), as Ed
- *Casualties of War* (1989), as Lt. Reilly
- *Men* (1989), series, as Charlie Hazard
- *Patty Hearst* (1988), as Cinque
- *Tour of Duty* (1987), series, as Tucker
- *Native Son* (1986), as Jack
- *Crime Story* (1986), series, as Hector Lincoln
- *ScreenPlay* (1986), series, as Sergeant Blue
- *Spenser: For Hire* (1985), series, Actor
- *The Equalizer* (1985), series, as Luther 'Million' Paxton
- *Miami Vice* (1984), series, as Walker Monroe, Georges — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/miami-vice.md)
- *Go Tell It on the Mountain* (1984), as Young Gabriel
- *American Playhouse* (1982), series, as Young Gabriel, Jack Harding
- *Another World* (1964), series, Actor
- *Hallmark Hall of Fame* (1951), series, as John Morgan
- *Painter*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Ving Rhames](https://film.one/media/person/8494/gallery-a301ab51f026.jpg) Ving Rhames — Chris Yarzab, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5c/Ving_Rhames_2010_%284710601891%29_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Actor Ving Rhames in 2010](https://film.one/media/person/8494/gallery-ee115fd3457f.jpg) Actor Ving Rhames in 2010 — Chris Yarzab, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1c/Ving_Rhames_2010_%284710601891%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Ving Rhames](https://film.one/media/person/8494/gallery-ceca02b9834b.jpg) Ving Rhames — Image via TMDB
- ![Ving Rhames](https://film.one/media/person/8494/gallery-d4ac8dd3d100.jpg) Ving Rhames — Image via TMDB
- ![Ving Rhames](https://film.one/media/person/8494/gallery-278c781950d6.jpg) Ving Rhames — Image via TMDB
- ![Ving Rhames](https://film.one/media/person/8494/gallery-2ccaad549768.jpg) Ving Rhames — Image via TMDB
- ![Ving Rhames](https://film.one/media/person/8494/gallery-b88edfbf7111.jpg) Ving Rhames — Image via TMDB
- ![Ving Rhames](https://film.one/media/person/8494/gallery-fef97fdd6927.jpg) Ving Rhames — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Golden Globes — 1 won

- 1998: Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film (won), for *Don King: Only in America*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/ving-rhames