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Wesley Snipes Biography

Birth Name:Wesley Trent Snipes

Birth Place:Orlando, Florida, United States

Profession Actor, Producer, Soundtrack, Stunts

Fast Facts

  • Won the Volpi Cup at the 1997 Venice Film Festival for best actor for his performance in "One Night Stand․"
  • Made his screen acting debut in the film "Wildcats" in 1986
  • Studied acting at the State University of New York
  • Appeared in the Michael Jackson video "Bad," and after Spike Lee spotted him in the production, he cast him in "Mo' Better Blues․"
  • Quote: "Certain roles are more challenging than others, but I haven't come across one yet that I can't tackle․"
  • Quote: "I never really planned on making action films․ It just kind of happened․ I've focused primarily on acting and developing characters, but that has blossomed into a whole new venue I'm still young and fit enough to do․"
  • Best known for playing the title character of the "Blade" trilogy
  • Turned down a role in "Do the Right Thing" to work on "Major League․"
  • Was on the West Coast when his apartment was destroyed by the collapse of the World Trade Center's Twin Towers on September 11, 2001
  • Studied shotokan karati and Brazilian jiu jitsu and capoerira from the age of 12
  • Was set to star in "Black Panther" in 1992, but the project fell through

Awards

  • 1989ACE-Actor in a Dramatic Series: winner
  • 1992Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Motion Picture: winner
  • 1992MTV Movie Award-Best Villain: nominated
  • 1992Gold Special Jury Award-Best Actors: winner
  • 1993Independent Spirit Award-Best Supporting Male: nominated
  • 1993Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1993MTV Movie Award-Best On-Screen Duo: nominated
  • 1993MTV Movie Award-Best Kiss: nominated
  • 1994MTV Movie Award-Best Villain: nominated
  • 1996CableACE-Actor in a Dramatic Special or Series: nominated
  • 1997Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Television Movie or Mini-Series: winner
  • 1997Volpi Cup-Best Actor: winner
  • 1998Stinker Award-Worst Actor: nominated
  • 1999Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Duo - Action/Adventure: nominated
  • 1999Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Actor - Horror: winner
  • 1999Chainsaw Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 1999MTV Movie Award-Best Fight: nominated
  • 2001Black Reel-Network/Cable - Best Actor: nominated
  • 2003Black Reel-Theatrical - Best Actor: nominated
  • 2011Black Reel-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2016All Def Movie Award-Best Bad Mu#&a Award: nominated
  • 2016Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2019DFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2019IFJA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2019SDFCS Award-Best Comedic Performance: winner
  • 2019SDFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2019SLFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2020Black Reel-Outstanding Supporting Actor, Motion Picture: winner
  • 2020Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2020NSFC Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2022Black Reel-Outstanding Supporting Actor, TV Movie/Limited Series: nominated
  • 2022Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited Series or Dramatic Special: nominated