5 Facts About ‘Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One’ Actor Ving Rhames
Ving Rhames is one of the most versatile and talented actors of our modern times who has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry.
As the highly anticipated "Mission: Impossible" film series prepares for its next thrilling installment, “Dead Reckoning Part 1,” it is impossible to overlook the contributions made by the veteran Hollywood star. With his commanding presence, powerful performances, and unwavering dedication, Rhames has become an integral part of the franchise, portraying the loyal and tech-savvy IMF agent Luther Stickell.
As we eagerly await his upcoming performance, we’re taking a moment to celebrate Rhames' remarkable talent by uncovering a few facts you probably didn’t know about one of the most iconic and respected actors in the industry. So, sit back and check out five things you should know about the actor, and don’t forget to catch “Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part 1” in theaters now.
He’s named after a notable journalist
Like most celebrities, “Ving Rhames” is the actor’s moniker. His real name is. Irving Rameses Rhames. The star was named after the late NBC journalist and fellow Harlemite Irving R. Levine.
He comes from humble beginnings
The actor was born to South Carolina sharecroppers who relocated to New York, where his father, Ernest Rhames, worked as a car mechanic and his mother, Reather, a homemaker.
He attended school for acting and would subsequently become friends with a fellow Hollywood star
After graduating from New York’s High School of Performing Arts, Ving attended SUNY Purchase, where he studied drama. There, he met actor Stanley Tucci, and they both became friends. Tucci reportedly gave the actor the nickname “Ving.” Rhames eventually graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Juilliard School's Drama Division in 1983.
He holds a “Mission Impossible” record
Rhames was cast in “Mission: Impossible” in 1996 as IMF Agent Luther Stickell. He and leading actor Tom Cruise are the only actors cast in every installment of the “MI” franchise.
He got his start on Broadway
Ving Rhames debuted on Broadway in 1984 in “The Winter Boys.” Around this time, he began to work on soap operas before going on to star in notable films and television shows such as “The People Under the Stairs,” “Baby Boy,” “Pulp Fiction,” and more.
