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Theatre, Film, and Television Biographies
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Brian Patrick Clarke to Charlotte Cornwell
Coolio Biography (1963-)
Original name, Artis Leon Ivey, Jr.; born August 1, 1963, in Los Angeles, CA;son of Artis Leon (a carpenter) and Jackie (a factory worker; maiden name, Jones) Ivey; brother of Malieek Straughter (an actor and rap music performer);married Josefa Salinas, September 27, 1997 (divorced); children: six (some sources cite five or seven), including Zhaneand (daughter), Milan, Darius. Addresses: Office: Crowbar Management, P.O. Box 5147, Culver City, CA 90231-5147.; Agent: Don Buchwald and Associates, 6500 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 2200, Los Angeles, CA 90048.
- Nationality
- American
- Gender
- Male
- Occupation
- Actor, singer, songwriter, music producer
- Birth Details
- August 1, 1963
- Los Angeles, California, United States
Famous Works
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CREDITS
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Film Appearances
- Himself, Phat Beach, LIVE Entertainment/Orion, 1996
- Gerard, Dear God, Paramount, 1996
- Banker, Batman & Robin, Warner Bros., 1997
- Dion Brothers, An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn (also known as Burn Hollywood Burn), Buena Vista, 1997
- Blue Lou, Midnight Mass, 1998
- Title role, Jerome, and Cherone (triplets), Tyrone (also known asBad Trip), Tyrone Productions, 1998
- Himself, Lei ting zhan jing (also known as China Strike Force), Deltamac Entertainment/Indies Film Distribution, 2000
- Himself, Leprechaun in the Hood (also known as Leprechaun 5: Leprechaun in the Hood), Trimark Pictures, 2000
- Jeff Cort, Submerged, Underwater Productions/New City Releasing/GAGA Communications, 2000
- Officer Harris, Gangland, Dominion International, 2000
- Officer Starkey, The Convent, Lions Gate Films, 2000
- Principal Interest (The Administrator Formerly Known as Principal), Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the Thirteenth, Lions Gate Films,2000
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Dope Case Pending, York Entertainment, 2000
- Carl Wright, In Pursuit, Ajax Home Entertainment/Showcase Entertainment, 2001
- Cool, Tapped Out, Artisan Entertainment, 2001
- Himself, Get over It!, Miramax, 2001
- "T," Perfume (also known as Dress to Kill), Lions Gate Films, 2001
- Brad Vorman, Stealing Candy (also known as Internet Queen),Lions Gate Films, 2002
- Himself, Media Whore (short film), Big Film Shorts, 2002
- Outlaw, Storm Watch (also known as Code Hunter and Virtual Storm), Velocity Home Entertainment, 2002
- Big Heat, Exposed, Mainline Releasing, 2003
- Himself, Four Fingers of the Dragon (short film), Dragon Films, 2003
- Himself, Stupidity (short film), Trailervision, 2003
- Dante Jackson in director's cut, Daredevil, Twentieth Century-Fox,2003
- Maduzor, Ravedactyl: Project Evolution (short film), Beyond Comics, 2003
- Master of ceremonies, The Beat, 2003, Ardustry Home Entertainment,2005
- Dunzio Day, Gang Warz, 2004
- Franky, Ta divina Splitska noc (also known as A Wonderful Nightin Split), 2004
- "187," Dracula 3000, Fiction Film & Television, 2004
- Michael Adkins, Grad Night, Mathis & Morris Productions/Barnholtz Entertainment, 2005
- Himself, Love Hollywood Style, Stein 5150 Productions/DMB Films, 2006
- Master Flow, Retirement, Corner Stone Pictures, 2006
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Film Song Performer
- "Gangsta's Paradise," Dangerous Minds (also known as My Posse Don't Do Homework), Buena Vista, 1995
- Performer of songs that have been featured in other films, television productions, and videos.
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Television Appearances
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Miniseries
- Himself, Comeback--Die grosse Chance, [Germany], 2004
- Himself, I Love the '90s, VH1, 2004
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Movies
- Lieutenant Gil Suggs, "On the Line," ABC Movie of the Week, ABC, 1998
- Luther (Lucifer), Judgment Day, HBO, 1999
- Ice, Red Water, TBS, 2003
- Captain Bergin, Pterodactyl, Sci-Fi Channel, 2005
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Specials
- Member of 20 Fingers, MTV's Spring Break '95, MTV, 1995
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Disney's Spring Break Blast, syndicated, 1995
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Motown 40: The Music Is Forever, 1998
- Judge, The 17th Annual Miss Teen USA (also known as The 1999 Miss Teen USA Pageant), CBS, 1999
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The Rock to Erase MS Concert, VH1, 1999
- Himself, 100 Greatest Number One Singles, [Great Britain], 2001
- Himself, The Secret History of Rock 'n' Roll, 2001
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The Great American History Quiz: 50 States, 2001
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Celebrity Boot Camp, Fox, 2002
- Himself, VH1 Goes inside Fear Factor, VH1, 2004
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Awards Presentations
- Presenter, The 37th Annual Grammy Awards, 1995
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The 1995 Billboard Music Awards, 1995
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The Blockbuster Entertainment Awards, 1996
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The 1996 World Music Awards, 1996
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The 13th Annual MTV Video Music Awards, MTV, 1996
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The 38th Annual Grammy Awards, CBS, 1996
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The 23rd Annual American Music Awards, 1996
- Presenter, The 24th Annual American Music Awards, 1997
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The 26th Annual American Music Awards, 1999
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Prism Awards 2000, 2000
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ESPN Action Sports and Music Awards, ESPN, 2002
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Episodic
- Himself, "All the Players Came," Martin, Fox, 1994
- Gangster, "Trust a Move," The Parent 'Hood, The WB, 1995
- Greeter on the Bacchus, "R & R," Space: Above and Beyond (alsoknown as Above and Beyond), Fox, 1995
- Himself, All That, Nickelodeon, 1995
- Himself, "A Girl and Her Cat," Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (also known as Sabrina and Sabrina Goes to College), ABC, 1996
- Musical guest, Saturday Night Live (also known as NBC's "Saturday Night,"
Saturday Night, and SNL), NBC, 1996
- Guest, The Rosie O'Donnell Show, syndicated, 1996, 1997
- Himself, "The Best of Muppets Tonight!," Muppets Tonight, ABC, 1997
- Voice, "Coolio Runnings," Duckman (animated), USA Network, 1997
- Himself, Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher (also known as Politically Incorrect), ABC, 1997
- Himself, "Making Whoopie," The Nanny, CBS, 1998
- Irwin, "Homie-work," The Nanny, CBS, 1998
- "Vallery of the Dolls," V.I.P. (also known as V.I.P.--Die Bodyguards), syndicated, 1998
- Troy Jensen, "Daddio," Malcolm and Eddie, UPN, 1999
- "Number One with a Bullet," Early Edition, CBS, 1999
- Panelist, The List, VH1, 1999
- Cecil Loftus, "Two Eyes for an Eye," 18 Wheels of Justice, The National Network, 2000
- Ernest, "It's Who You Know," Arli$$, HBO, 2000
- Guest, "Dark Side to Limelight," Turn Ben Stein On, Comedy Central, 2000
- Himself, Behind the Music: Weird Al Yankovic (also known as Behind the Music and BtM), VH1, 2000
- Guest, Full Nelson, Fox News Channel, 2000
- Guest, The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn, CBS, 2000
- Guest, Pajama Party, Oxygen Network, 2000
- Contestant, "Celebrity Fear Factor," Fear Factor, NBC, 2001
- Voice of Kwanzaa-bot, "A Tale of Two Santas," Futurama (animated),Fox, 2001
- Himself, "Christmas Show," Never Mind the Buzzcocks, BBC, 2002
- Himself, "Coolio," Player$, G4, 2002
- Greg/G-Down, "Alton Davis Redux," Robbery Homicide Division (alsoknown as Metro and R.H.D./LA: Robbery Homicide Division/Los Angeles), CBS, 2002
- Judge, "The Battle of the Best," America's Funniest Home Videos (also known as AFHV), ABC, 2002
- Lazarus Demon, "Marry-Go-Round," Charmed, The WB, 2002
- Voices of Marvin Roper and Replikon, "Duped," Static Shock (animated), The WB, 2002
- Himself, Beat the Geeks, Comedy Central, 2002
- Guest, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, BBC, 2002
- Guest, Spy TV, NBC, 2002
- Guest, Pyramid, syndicated, 2002, 2003
- Contestant, "Tournament 1, Game 4," Celebrity Poker Showdown, Bravo, 2003
- Himself, Big Brother's Little Brother, Channel 4, 2003
- Himself, Liquid News, BBC, 2003
- Guest, Tinseltown TV, International Channel, 2003
- Guest, V Graham Norton, Channel 4 (England), 2003
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Hollywood Squares, syndicated, multiple appearances, 2003
- (In archive footage) Himself, Celebrities Uncensored, E! Entertainment Television, 2003, 2004
- Contestant, "Tournament 4, Game 4," Celebrity Blackjack, Game ShowNetwork, 2004
- Himself, Tout le monde en parle, 2004, 2005
- Appeared as a guest, The Test, FX Channel; as a panelist, TNN's"Conspiracy Zone with Kevin Nealon," The National Network; and as D.J.,The Watcher; also appeared in episodes of Holla, Black Entertainment Television; The Late Late Show with Tom Snyder, CBS; Late Night with Rita Sever (also known as Friday Night); and Weakest Link, NBC.
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Pilots
- Mr. Thomas, Dangerous Minds, ABC, 1996
- Himself, Hitz (also known as Hits), UPN, 1997
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Snitch, FX Channel, 2002
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Television Theme Song Performer
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Series
- (With others) Dangerous Minds, ABC, 1996-97
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Kenan & Kel, Nickelodeon, 1996-2000
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RECORDINGS
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Albums
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It Takes a Thief, Tommy Boy Records, 1994
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Gangsta's Paradise, Tommy Boy Records, 1995
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My Soul, Tommy Boy Records, 1997
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Fantastic Voyage: The Greatest Hits, Tommy Boy Records, 2001
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El Cool Magnifico, Dragon Riders/Riviera Entertainment, 2002
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Singles
- "County Line," Tommy Boy Records, 1993
- "Fantastic Voyage," Tommy Boy Records, 1994
- "I Remember," Tommy Boy Records, 1994
- "Mama I'm in Love with a Gangsta," Tommy Boy Records, 1994
- "Gangsta's Paradise," Tommy Boy Records, 1995
- "1, 2, 3, 4--Gotta Get Up," 1995
- "Too Hot," Tommy Boy Records, 1995
- "It's All the Way Live (Now)," Tommy Boy Records, 1996
- "1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)," Tommy Boy Records, 1996
- "Ooh La La," Tommy Boy Records, 1997
- "Tuff Jam Uvm Dub," Tommy Boy Records, 1997
- "The Winner," Warner Bros. Records, 1997
- "Yo ho ho," 2000
- "Hustler," TX2, 2003
- Other singles include "Whatcha Gonna Do" and "You're Gonna Miss Me."
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Singles with Others
- B Real, "Hit 'Em High," 1996
- (With Forty Thevz) "C U When U Get There," Tommy Boy Records, 1997
- Ophelie, "Keep It on the Red Light," 1997
- (With Kenny Rogers) "The Gambler," 2000
- XSS, "Peepshow," 2005
- Associated with the song "Raise the Roof," by Chazz.
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Albums with Others
- WC and the MAAD Circle, Ain't a Damn Thing Changed, Priority, 1991
- Quincy Jones, Q's Jook Joint, Qwest/Warner Bros. Records, 1995
- Dazzie Dee, Re-Birth, EMD/Capitol, 1996
- George Clinton, Greatest Funkin' Hits, Raging Bull, 1996
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17 Reasons (compilation), Black-N-Brown, 1998
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Coolio's Crowbar Records Presents... (compilation), Beyond, 1999
- Also appeared in other albums, including performances with the World Class Wreckin' Crew and NuSkool.
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Album Executive Producer
- (With others) Phat Beach (soundtrack recording), TVT/Blunt, 1996
- Forty Thevz, Honor among Thevz, PolyGram, 1997
- (With others) Now That's What I Call Music (compilation), Virgin/EMI/PolyGram, 1997
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Album Producer
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Clueless (soundtrack recording), Capitol, 1995
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Fresh Hits 1997 (compilation), Alex, 1997
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Videos
- Himself, Classic Albums: Stevie Wonder--Songs in the Key of Life,ILC Music, 1997
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Music Videos
- "County Line," 1993
- "Fantastic Voyage," 1994
- "I Remember," 1994
- "Mama I'm in Love with a Gangsta," 1994
- "Gangsta's Paradise," 1995
- "1, 2, 3, 4--Gotta Get Up," 1995
- "Too Hot," 1995
- (With B Real) "Hit 'Em High," 1996
- "It's All the Way Live (Now)," 1996
- "1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)," 1996
- (With Forty Thevz) "C U When U Get There," 1997
- (With Ophelie) "Keep It on the Red Light," 1997
- "Ooh La La," 1997
- "Tuff Jam Uvm Dub," 1997
- "The Winner," 1997
- Blondie, "Rapture/Maria/No Exit," 1999
- Tupac, "Temptations," 1999
- (With Kenny Rogers) "The Gambler," 2000
- "Yo ho ho," 2000
- (With XSS) "Peepshow," 2005
- Associated with the music video "Raise the Roof," by Chazz.
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WRITINGS
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Albums
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It Takes a Thief, Tommy Boy Records, 1994
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Gangsta's Paradise, Tommy Boy Records, 1995
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My Soul, Tommy Boy Records, 1997
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Fantastic Voyage: The Greatest Hits, Tommy Boy Records, 2001
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El Cool Magnifico, Dragon Riders/Riviera Entertainment, 2002
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Singles
- "County Line," Tommy Boy Records, 1993
- "Fantastic Voyage," Tommy Boy Records, 1994
- "I Remember," Tommy Boy Records, 1994
- "Mama I'm in Love with a Gangsta," Tommy Boy Records, 1994
- "Gangsta's Paradise," Tommy Boy Records, 1995
- "1, 2, 3, 4--Gotta Get Up," 1995
- "Too Hot," Tommy Boy Records, 1995
- "It's All the Way Live (Now)," Tommy Boy Records, 1996
- "1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)," Tommy Boy Records, 1996
- (With Forty Thevz) "C U When U Get There," Tommy Boy Records, 1997
- "Ooh La La," Tommy Boy Records, 1997
- "Tuff Jam Uvm Dub," Tommy Boy Records, 1997
- "The Winner," Warner Bros. Records, 1997
- (With Kenny Rogers) "The Gambler," 2000
- "Yo ho ho," 2000
- "Hustler," TX2, 2003
- Other singles include "Whatcha Gonna Do" and "You're Gonna Miss Me."
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Songs Featured in Films
- (With others) "Gangsta's Paradise," Dangerous Minds (also known asMy Posse Don't Do Homework), Buena Vista, 1995
- Coolio's songs have been featured in other films, television productions,and videos.
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Television Music
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Theme Songs; Series
- (With others) Dangerous Minds, ABC, 1996-97
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Kenan & Kel, Nickelodeon, 1996-2000
Further Reference
OTHER SOURCES
Books
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Contemporary Musicians, Volume 19, Gale, 1997
Periodicals
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Billboard, November 4, 1995, pp. 11-12; August 30, 1997, pp. 10-11; May 30, 1998, p. 29; September 26, 1998, p. 16
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Entertainment Weekly, August 18, 1995, p. 53; November 10, 1995; December 29, 1995, pp. 46-47; August 1, 1997, p. 74; December 5, 1997, p. 16;September 2, 2005, p. 34
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Entertainment Weekly on Campus, fall, 1997, pp. 14-16
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Jet, March 18, 1996, pp. 32-37; September 23, 1996, pp. 62-63; March 24, 1997, p. 38; August 2, 1999, p. 34; January 7, 2002, p. 62
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Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service, August 4, 1994
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People Weekly, January 29, 1996, pp. 51-52; October 7, 1996, p. 16; December 21, 1998, p. 103; April 11, 2005, p. 49
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Rap Sheet, December, 1995
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Rolling Stone, December 14, 1995
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Spin, January, 1996; March, 1996
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Time, December 14, 1998, p. 31
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Time for Kids, February 16, 1996, p. 8
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USA Weekend, August 16, 1996
Electronic
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Coolio's Official Website, http://www.cooliosofficialwebsite.com,July, 2000
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