Strikingly featured and muscular American actor Ving Rames was born Irving Rameses Rhames in Harlem, New York, to Reather, a homemaker, and Ernest Rhames, an auto mechanic. A good student, Ving entered the New York High School of Performing Arts, where he discovered his love of acting. He studied at the Juilliard School of Drama, and began his career in New York theater and in Shakespeare in the Park productions. He first appeared on Broadway in the play "The Winter Boys", in 1984. Also that year, he appeared in front of the cameras for the first time in the TV movie _"American Playhouse" in New York, he was introduced to a homeless man, who turned out to be his long lost, older brother, Junior, who had lost contact with the family after serving in Vietnam. The thrilled Rhames immediately assisted his disheveled brother in getting proper food & clothing, and moving him into his own apartment.
Spent two years as part of the acting class of 1982 at the State University of New York at Purchase (SUNY Purchase) before returning to Julliard.
Education: Juilliard, NY (Drama)
Was given the nickname he goes by, "Ving," by his one time roomate Stanley Tucci , when together for a time at SUNY Purchase.
Engaged to Deborah Reed.
Won a Golden Globe in 1998 for best actor in a TV miniseries for his performance in HBOs Don King: Only in America . At the ceremony Rhames gave his award to Jack Lemmon , saying "I feel that being an artist is about giving, and Id like to give this to you." Lemmon was clearly touched by the gesture, as was the celebrity audience, who gave Lemmon a standing ovation. Lemmon, who tried unsuccessfully to give the award back to Rhames, said it was "one of the sweetest moments Ive ever known in my life." The Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced later that they would have a duplicate award prepared for Rhames.
Step-daughter, Tiffany 15 years old. Daughter, Reignbeau, born 2000. Son, Freedom, born February 2002.
He says people are often surprised that he isnt bigger in person, as he stands a little bit less than 6 feet tall and weighs a little over 200 pounds. He is, however, quite strong for his size, being able to bench press over 300 pounds.
Daughter is named Reign Beau
Was considered for the role of Ben in Night of the Living Dead . He later starred in Dawn of the Dead and Day of the Dead .
Invited to join AMPAS in 2006.
Was named after retired NBC journalist Irving R. Levine.
He credits his strong religious faith as a key to his success.
In 1993, during the filming of The Saint of Fort Washington in New York City, Rhames was unexpectedly reunited with his brother, Junior, a troubled, homeless Vietnam veteran whod been estranged from the Rhames family for years.
Raised on 126th Street in the Harlem area of New York City.
Is a huge fan of boxing and often goes to live major events.
Put on 30 pounds to look more imposing for his role in Striptease.
The son of a mechanic and a homemaker, and the youngest of two boys.
Was considered for the role of John Coffey in The Green Mile .
Lives in Los Angeles, California.
Is the only actor besides Tom Cruise to be in all the Mission Impossible movies (1996-2015).
I must say that some things some men are born to do. I think I was born,to kick ass.
I graduated on a Friday and started working on Monday, doing Shakespeare,in the Park with Kevin Kline in Richard III. (On Julliard),Since God is the foundation of my life, anything that streams from that,can only be positive.
I was never a struggling actor, for which I feel very blessed.
The only difference between working on a huge-budget film and a,lesser-budget film, is the quality of lunch and dinner.
Quite honestly I never had a desire to be an actor. I tell people, I did not choose acting; acting chose me. I never grew up wanting to be an actor. I wanted to play football. In about 9th grade an English teacher told me I had a talent to act. He said I should audition for a performing arts high school so I did on a whim. I got accepted.
In about 9th grade, an English teacher told me I had a talent to act. He said I should audition for a performing arts high school, so I did on a whim. I got accepted. Then I got accepted at the Julliard School, and by then, I was serious about it.
Since God is the foundation of my life, anything that streams from that can only be positive. .
