Career Timeline of Ice-T: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Ice-T made an impact.

Ice-T, born Tracy Lauren Marrow, is an American rapper and actor prominent in both hip hop and heavy metal. Rising from the underground rap scene in the 1980s, he signed with Sire Records and released his debut album, Rhyme Pays, in 1987. He subsequently founded Rhyme $yndicate Records and achieved platinum status with his album Power (1988). Several other albums, including The Iceberg/Freedom of Speech... Just Watch What You Say! (1989), O.G. Original Gangster (1991), and Home Invasion (1993), attained gold status, solidifying his influence in the music industry.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1983: Featured in Breakin' 'n' Enterin'

In 1983, Ice-T was featured as a rapper and breakdancer in the documentary 'Breakin' 'n' Enterin'' which was about the early West Coast hip hop scene.

1984: Film Appearances in Breakin' and Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo

In 1984, Ice-T made his first film appearances in 'Breakin'' and its sequel, 'Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo'. Although he was on the 'Breakin'' soundtrack, he later considered these films and his performances in them to be 'wack'.

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1990: Debated Censorship with Jello Biafra on Oprah

In 1990, Ice-T and Jello Biafra appeared on 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' to debate Tipper Gore on censorship in music.

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1991: Acting Roles in New Jack City and Ricochet

In 1991, Ice-T began a serious acting career. He played police detective Scotty Appleton in 'New Jack City' and gang leader Odessa in 'Ricochet'.

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1992: Cop Killer Controversy and Condemnation

After the controversy of the Body Count song 'Cop Killer', Ice-T became an icon for free-speech campaigners. The song was condemned by George H. W. Bush and Dan Quayle during the 1992 United States presidential election.

1992: Role as King James in Trespass

In 1992, Ice-T portrayed gang leader King James in the film 'Trespass'.

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1992: Body Count Album Described

In 1992, Ice-T's album with Body Count was described as a 'rock album with a rap mentality', paving the way for rap rock fusions.

1992: Aftermath of the 1992 Los Angeles riots

Writing in the aftermath of the 1992 Los Angeles riots, he was one of the only rappers who criticized the targeting of Koreans by some Black rioters.

1993: Starred in Who's the Man?

In 1993, Ice-T starred in the comedy 'Who's the Man?', where he played a drug dealer who gets frustrated when people call him by his real name, Chauncey.

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1994: Lead Role in Surviving the Game

In 1994, Ice-T had a notable lead role performance in 'Surviving the Game'.

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1994: Published The Ice Opinion

In 1994, Ice-T's book, 'The Ice Opinion', focused on his views on politics.

The Ice Opinion

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1995: Co-presented Baadasss TV

Around 1995, Ice-T co-presented 'Baadasss TV', a UK-produced magazine television series on black culture.

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1995: Recurring Role in New York Undercover

In 1995, Ice-T had a recurring role as drug dealer Danny Cort in the television series 'New York Undercover'.

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1995: Supporting Roles in Johnny Mnemonic and Tank Girl

In 1995, Ice-T had supporting roles as J-Bone in 'Johnny Mnemonic' and as the marsupial mutant T-Saint in 'Tank Girl'.

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1997: Co-created Players

In 1997, Ice-T co-created the short-lived series 'Players', produced by Dick Wolf.

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1997: Ice-T's Extreme Babes Pay-Per-View Special

In 1997, Ice-T had a pay-per-view special titled 'Ice-T's Extreme Babes' which appeared on Action PPV.

1998: Role in Exiled: A Law & Order Movie

In 1998, Ice-T played pimp Seymour 'Kingston' Stockton in 'Exiled: A Law & Order Movie'.

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1999: Starred in Stealth Fighter

In 1999, Ice-T starred in the HBO film 'Stealth Fighter' as a United States Naval Aviator who steals an F-117 stealth fighter. He also acted in the film Sonic Impact, released the same year.

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2000: Joined Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Since 2000, Ice-T has portrayed Odafin 'Fin' Tutuola, a former undercover narcotics officer, on 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'.

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2002: Hosted Beyond Tough

In 2002, Ice-T hosted 'Beyond Tough', a Discovery Channel documentary series about dangerous professions.

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2004: Lecturing on First Amendment Rights

A 2004 Guardian article noted that Ice-T has toured universities lecturing on first amendment rights and civil liberties.

October 20, 2006: Ice-T's Rap School Aired

On October 20, 2006, Ice-T's Rap School, a reality television show where Ice-T teaches teens from York Preparatory School in New York called the "York Prep Crew" aired on VH1.

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November 17, 2006: York Prep Crew performed as opening act for Public Enemy

On November 17, 2006, the 'York Prep Crew' performed as an opening act for Public Enemy in the season finale of Ice-T's Rap School.

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2007: Guest Star on Short Circuitz and Appeared in Hands of Hatred

In 2007, Ice-T appeared as a celebrity guest star on the MTV sketch comedy show 'Short Circuitz'. He also appeared in the short-music film 'Hands of Hatred'.

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2009: Interviewed for Cannibal Corpse Documentary and Appeared in Good Hair

In 2009, Ice-T was interviewed for the Cannibal Corpse retrospective documentary 'Centuries of Torment', and appeared in Chris Rock's 'Good Hair'.

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June 12, 2011: Ice Loves Coco Debuted

On June 12, 2011, the E! reality show 'Ice Loves Coco', which focuses on Ice-T's relationship with his wife Nicole 'Coco' Austin, debuted.

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December 27, 2013: Announced podcasting deal with Paragon Collective

On December 27, 2013, Ice-T announced his entry into podcasting with a deal with the Paragon Collective. He co-hosts the 'Ice-T: Final Level' podcast with Mick Benzo.