Biography

Ice T stars as Det. Odafin "Fin" Tutuola on NBC's "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit," now in its milestone 20th season.

This is his fourth project with executive producer Dick Wolf after the 1997-98 series "Players," NBC's "Exiled: A Law & Order Movie" and several memorable guest-starring appearances on Wolf's gritty cop series "New York Undercover." He has also appeared as Fin on Wolf's "Chicago P.D."

Ice T not only invented gangster rap, he has lived it. He is the original embodiment of L.A. hip-hop and a cultural icon. Through his music, his books ("The Ice Opinion," "Ice: A Memoir of Gangster Life" and "Redemption: From South Central to Hollywood") and his lecture tours of America's prisons, high schools, libraries and colleges (including Harvard, Princeton, and Stanford), Ice T has become an influential spokesman for America's youth, regardless of color.

Born in New Jersey, Ice T learned the art of survival pretty fast. An only child whose parents died when he was very young, Ice T became involved in Los Angeles gangs before spending four years in the Army.

His first on-screen break came when the producers of the film "Breakin'" asked him to rap in the movie. He went on to become rap's original gangster, writing songs such as "Six in the Mornin'" and "New Jack Hustler."

The Grammy Award-nominated artist formed Rhyme Syndicate Records in 1989 and released a string of groundbreaking West Coast rap records. He subsequently formed the thrash metal band Body Count with close high school friend and guitarist Ernie C. Body Count's 1991 self-titled debut contained the controversial single "Cop Killer," and the band became the most critically acclaimed act on the highly successful inaugural Lollapalooza Tour. In 2018, Body Count was Grammy nominated for Best Metal Performance for their single "Black Hoodie," off their sixth studio album, "Bloodlust." That summer the band embarked on a 23-city European tour, including top rock and metal festivals. This year he'll receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for achievement in recording.

As his politics were grabbing headlines, Ice T's film and television career was taking off. He secured roles in "New Jack City," "Ricochet," "Trespass" and "Johnny Mnemonic," all while building a flourishing television career that includes guest-starring roles on "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt," "Younger," and "30 Rock." He has numerous independent and documentary film roles to his credit as well. Ice and his wife, Coco, starred in the E! reality show "Ice Loves Coco" and hosted and executive produced their daytime talk show, "Ice & Coco." He is currently producing unscripted series for Oxygen and CNBC.

Ice T's talent as an artist has spanned many genres. In interactive media, he lent his voice to the character Griffin in the billion-dollar-grossing game "Gears of War 3," as well as popular roles in the games "Grand Theft Auto" and "Scarface." In addition to his nonfiction titles, he also wrote the fictional tale "Kings of Vice" in 2013. He sold out London's Barbican Theater in 2015 for his performance of Langston Hughes' epic poem "Ask Mama," which was named JazzFM's Performance of the Year.

In 2012, his his directorial debut, "Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap," premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. He also produced the documentary "Iceberg Slim: Portrait of a Pimp," which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and was released theatrically in 2013.

Ice T resides in New Jersey with his wife Coco, his daughter Chanel, and their dog Maximus.

Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FINALLEVEL.