Ving Rhames Biography: Movies, Age, Net Worth, Mission Impossible, Pulp Fiction, Wife, Children, Height, Parents

Irving Rameses Rhames, professionally known as Ving Rhames, is an American actor acclaimed for his commanding presence and versatile performances in film and television.

He gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Marsellus Wallace in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction (1994) and as Luther Stickell in the Mission: Impossible film series (1996–2025).

Profile

• Full Name: Irving Rameses Rhames
• Stage Name: Ving Rhames
• Born: 12, May 1959
• Age: 66 years old
• Birthplace: Harlem, New York City, U.S.
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Actor
• Height: 183 cm
• Parents: Ernest Rhames and Reather Rhames
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Valerie Scott (m. 1994–1999), and Deborah Reed (m. 2000)
• Children: 3
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $25 million

Early Life And Education

Irving Rameses Rhames was born on May 12, 1959, in Harlem, New York City, to Ernest and Reather Rhames. Specific information about his siblings is unknown to the media.

After high school, Rhames studied drama at the State University of New York at Purchase, where fellow actor Stanley Tucci gave him the nickname “Ving.” He later transferred to the Juilliard School’s Drama Division, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1983.

Rhames is African American, and his religious beliefs are not publicly disclosed.

Career

Ving Rhames began his acting career on stage, making his Broadway debut in the play The Boys of Winter in 1984. He transitioned to film with roles in The People Under the Stairs (1991) and Dave (1993), gaining critical acclaim for his portrayal of Marsellus Wallace in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction (1994).

Rhames’s performance showcased his ability to embody complex, authoritative characters, leading to a series of prominent roles in both film and television.

In 1996, Rhames was cast as Luther Stickell, a skilled computer hacker, in Brian De Palma’s Mission: Impossible, a role he reprised in subsequent sequels through 2025, making him the only actor besides Tom Cruise to appear in all installments of the franchise.

His other notable performances include Nathan ‘Diamond Dog’ Jones in Con Air (1997), Buddy Bragg in Out of Sight (1998), and the title role in HBO’s Don King: Only in America (1997), for which he won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television. In a memorable moment at the awards ceremony, Rhames gave his award to fellow nominee Jack Lemmon, stating that he felt Lemmon was more deserving.

Rhames continued to diversify his roles, appearing in films such as Dawn of the Dead (2004), Phantom Punch (2008), and voicing Cobra Bubbles in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch (2002). He also took on television roles, including a recurring part on the medical drama ER and starring as the titular character in the 2005 revival of Kojak.

Rhames’s consistent performances and dedication to his craft have solidified his reputation as a versatile and reliable actor in the entertainment industry.

Social Media

• Ving Rhames does not have a social media account

Personal Life

Ving Rhames was first married to Valerie Scott from 1994 until their divorce in 1999. He married Deborah Reed on December 25, 2000, and the couple has three children together.

Rhames is known to keep his personal life private, focusing public attention on his professional endeavors. He currently resides in Santa Monica, California.

Filmography

• Pulp Fiction (1994) – Marsellus Wallace
• Con Air (1997) – Nathan ‘Diamond Dog’ Jones
• Out of Sight (1998) – Buddy Bragg
• Don King: Only in America (1997) – Don King
• Dawn of the Dead (2004) – Kenneth
• Phantom Punch (2008) – Sonny Liston
• Lilo & Stitch (2002) – Voice of Cobra Bubbles
• ER (1994–1996) – Walter Robbins
• Kojak (2005) – Lieutenant Theo Kojak
• Gravity (2010) – Dogg McFee

Net Worth

Ving Rhames has an estimated net worth of $25 million USD. His wealth is primarily derived from his extensive acting career, including his long-standing role in the Mission: Impossible franchise, as well as various film and television appearances