Melvin Van Peebles
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- August 21, 1932
- Died
- September 21, 2021
- Birthplace
- Chicago, Illinois, USA
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 feature debut Watermelon Man, in 1970. Eschewing further overtures from Hollywood, he used the successes he had so far to bankroll his work as an independent filmmaker. In 1971, he released his best-known work, creating and starring in the film Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song, which led to the creation of the blaxploitation genre. although critic Roger Ebert did not consider this example of Van Peebles' work to be an exploitation film. He followed this up with the musical, Don't Play Us Cheap, based on his own stage play, and continued to make films, write novels and stage plays in English and in French through the next several decades; his final films include the French-language film Le Conte du ventre plein (2000) and the absurdist film Confessionsofa Ex-Doofus-ItchyFooted Mutha (2008). His son, filmmaker and actor Mario Van Peebles, appeared in several of his works and portrayed him in the 2003 biographical film Baadasssss!.
Filmography
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)
Redemption Road 2011
as Elmo
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
Actor
American Swing 2009
as Self
Directors on Directing 2009
as Self
The Black List: Volume Two 2009
as Self
- Confessions of a Ex-Doofus-ItchyFooted Mutha
Confessions of a Ex-Doofus-ItchyFooted Mutha 2008
as Melvin Van Peebles, Director, Writer
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)
How to Eat Your Watermelon in White Company (and Enjoy It) 2005
Actor
- Unstoppable
Unstoppable 2005
as Self
Baadasssss! 2004
Book
The Hebrew Hammer 2003
as Sweetback
The Real Deal: What It Is 2003
as Self, Director
BaadAsssss Cinema 2002
as Self
Bellyful 2000
Writer, Director, Executive Producer, Novel, Original Music Composer
René Vautier, le rebelle 2000
as Self
Love Kills 1999
as Able
Classified X 1998
as Self, Writer
Riot 1997
as Vernon
Calm at Sunset 1996
as Mr. Bucket
Gang in Blue 1996
as Andre Speier, Director, Producer
Tales of Erotica 1996
Director, Writer
Panther 1995
as Old Jail Bird, Screenplay, Novel, Producer
Fist of the North Star 1995
as Asher
Vrooom Vrooom Vroooom 1995
Director, Writer, Producer, Original Music Composer, Editor
Terminal Velocity 1994
as Noble
Farewell, Babylon! 1993
as Self
Last Action Hero 1993
as Self
Posse 1993
as Papa Joe
Boomerang 1992
as Editor
Satchmo: The Life of Louis Armstrong 1992
as Louis Armstrong (voice)
True Identity 1991
as Taxi Driver
- Making 'Do the Right Thing'
Making 'Do the Right Thing' 1989
as Self
Identity Crisis 1989
as The Inspector, Producer, Editor, Director
976-STUD 1989
Director
Taking Care of Terrific 1988
as Hawk
Jaws: The Revenge 1987
as Mr. Witherspoon
O.C. and Stiggs 1987
as Wino Bob
- The Day They Came to Arrest the Book
The Day They Came to Arrest the Book 1987
Writer
America 1986
as Man Interviewed
Greased Lightning 1977
Screenplay, Writer
Just an Old Sweet Song 1976
Writer
Don't Play Us Cheap 1973
Director, Editor, Theatre Play, Screenplay, Songs, Original Music Composer
Wattstax 1973
as Self
Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song 1971
as Sweetback, Director, Producer, Screenplay, Editor, Original Music Composer
Watermelon Man 1970
as Sign Painter (uncredited), Director, Original Music Composer
Slogan 1969
Writer
The Story of a Three-Day Pass 1968
Director, Writer, Music
500 Francs 1961
Director, Writer, Original Music Composer
Three Pick-Up Men for Herrick 1957
Director, Writer
Sunlight 1957
Actor, Director
Credits from TMDB.