Mandela Van Peebles (born June 4, 1994) is an American actor, known for his roles in We the Party, BAADASSSSS!, the remake of Roots and the Saw franchise.
Personal Life
Mandela Van Peebles was born in Los Angeles, California. He is one of two siblings born to director and actor Mario Van Peebles and Lisa Vitello, as well as a grandson of filmmaker Melvin Van Peebles and Maria. He is officially named after Nelson Mandela. Living up to his namesake, Van Peebles once traveled to South Africa, where he spent his time doing volunteer work, tutoring, furthering his interest in social justice specifically in Johannesburg and Cape Town. During his free time the experience compelled him to write.
Career
Van Peebles graduated Loyola Marymount University with a Bachelor's in Communications in May 2016. The same year, he appeared in USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage and in the TV miniseries Roots, based on Alex Haley's epic story. Cast as Noah, he plays a field-hand with a hunger for freedom, whose actions cause Kunta Kinte and Belle's beloved daughter, Kizzy, to be sold to another plantation owner.
While attending college, Van Peebles has acted in several feature films, including his first starring role in We the Party with Snoop Dogg, Michael Jai White and Tommy 'Tiny' Lister, Baadasssss!, a documentary that is an homage to his paternal grandfather, filmmaker Melvin Van Peebles, and directed by his father, Mario Van Peebles, American Warships with Carl Weathers, Judgment Day, starring Ice-T and Coolio, and the documentary short film Bring Your 'A' Game.
As he grew up, Van Peebles took the opportunity to act alongside his father and grandfather multiple times, and with his siblings as well. Keeping with family traditions, Van Peebles has lent his talents to music, hip-hop and creative writing.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Judgment Day | Marley |
| 2003 | How to Get the Man's Foot Outta Your Ass | Angel Muse |
| Baadasssss! | ||
| 2009 | Bring Your 'A' Game | Virtual Player |
| 2012 | We the Party | Hendrix |
| American Battleship | Lookout Dunbar | |
| 2016 | USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage | Theodore |
| 2017 | Jigsaw | Mitch |
Television
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Mario's Green House | |
| 2016 | Roots | Noah |
Gallery
