Wesley Trent Snipes is a highly acclaimed American actor known for his versatile performances across various film genres, particularly action films. He has garnered critical recognition, including an Independent Spirit Award nomination for his role in "The Waterdance" and a Volpi Cup win for Best Actor in "One Night Stand".
July 31, 1962: Birth of Wesley Snipes
Wesley Trent Snipes was born on July 31, 1962.
1978: Converts to Islam
Wesley Snipes, raised as a Christian, embraced Islam in 1978.
1984: Television Debut on "All My Children"
Wesley Snipes made his acting debut with a one-episode appearance on the soap opera "All My Children" in 1984.
1985: Auditions for "The Last Dragon"
Wesley Snipes auditioned for the role of Leroy Green in the cult classic film "The Last Dragon" in 1985, but the role went to Taimak.
December 5, 1986: Guest Stars on "Miami Vice"
On December 5, 1986, Wesley Snipes appeared as a drug-dealing pimp in the "Streetwise" episode of the TV show "Miami Vice".
1986: Film Debut in "Wildcats" and "Streets of Gold"
Wesley Snipes landed his first film roles in 1986, appearing in "Wildcats" and "Streets of Gold".
1987: Appears in Michael Jackson's "Bad" Music Video and "Streets of Gold"
Wesley Snipes portrayed Michael Jackson's nemesis in the Martin Scorsese-directed music video "Bad" and appeared in the feature film "Streets of Gold" in 1987.
1988: Leaves Islam
Wesley Snipes departed from the Islamic faith in 1988.
1990: Appears in Drama Series "H.E.L.P."
Wesley Snipes appeared in multiple episodes of the drama series "H.E.L.P." in 1990.
1990: Son Jelani Appears in "Mo' Better Blues"
Wesley Snipes' son, Jelani, made a cameo appearance in his film "Mo' Better Blues" in 1990.
1991: Discusses Impact of Islam in Interview
During an interview in 1991, Wesley Snipes reflected on his experience with Islam, highlighting its positive influence on his self-awareness and appreciation for African heritage.
1991: Founds Amen-Ra Films
Wesley Snipes established his production company, Amen-Ra Films, in 1991 with the goal of developing film and television projects.
1991: Stars in "New Jack City"
Wesley Snipes starred alongside Ice-T in the film "New Jack City" in 1991.
1992: Nominated for Independent Spirit Award
In 1992, Wesley Snipes was nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male for his role in the film "The Waterdance".
1992: Stars in "White Men Can't Jump" and "Passenger 57"
Wesley Snipes had a successful year in 1992, starring in two prominent films: "White Men Can't Jump" with Woody Harrelson and "Passenger 57" with Bruce Payne.
1993: Appears in "Rising Sun" and "Demolition Man"
In 1993, Wesley Snipes appeared in two action films: "Rising Sun" with Sean Connery and "Demolition Man" alongside Sylvester Stallone.
1994: Stars in "Sugar Hill"
Wesley Snipes took on the role of a drug dealer in the 1994 film "Sugar Hill".
1995: Stars in "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar"
Wesley Snipes starred in the comedy film "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar" with Patrick Swayze and John Leguizamo in 1995.
1996: Amen-Ra Films Produces First Film
Amen-Ra Films, Wesley Snipes' production company, produced its first film, "A Great And Mighty Walk – Dr. John Henrik Clarke", in 1996.
1996: Alleged Tax Fraud for 1996
As part of the charges filed against him in 2006, Snipes was accused of filing a false amended tax return for 1996, including a fraudulent refund claim of over $4 million.
1997: Alleged Tax Fraud for 1997
Continuing the charges filed against him, Snipes faced allegations of filing another false amended tax return, this time for 1997, seeking a fraudulent refund exceeding US$7.3 million.
1997: Wins Volpi Cup for Best Actor
Wesley Snipes won the Volpi Cup for Best Actor for his performance in the film "One Night Stand" at the 54th Venice Film Festival in 1997.
1998: Stars in "U.S. Marshals" and "Blade"
Wesley Snipes starred in the action film "U.S. Marshals" with Tommy Lee Jones and landed the iconic role of Eric Brooks / Blade in the superhero horror film "Blade" in 1998.
1999: Allegations of Failure to File Tax Returns from 1999
The indictment against Snipes included allegations that he failed to file tax returns for a period spanning from 1999 to 2004.
2000: Royal Guard of Amen-Ra Investigated
Wesley Snipes' security firm, the Royal Guard of Amen-Ra, faced investigation in 2000 for potential connections to the United Nuwaubian Nation of Moors.
2001: Tax Liabilities for 2001
As part of the Tax Court ruling in 2018, Snipes's tax liabilities for the year 2001 were included in the case.
2002: Reprises Role in "Blade II"
Wesley Snipes reprised his role as Blade in the sequel "Blade II" in 2002.
2003: Marries Nakyung "Nikki" Park
Wesley Snipes married painter Nakyung "Nikki" Park Snipes in 2003.
2003: Tax Liabilities for 2003-2006
The 2018 Tax Court ruling encompassed Snipes's outstanding tax liabilities for a span of years, starting from 2003 and continuing through 2006.
2004: Allegations of Failure to File Tax Returns until 2004
Continuing from 1999, Snipes faced ongoing allegations of failing to file his federal income tax returns until 2004.
2004: Reprises Role and Produces "Blade: Trinity"
In 2004, Wesley Snipes not only reprised his role as Blade in "Blade: Trinity" but also took on the role of producer for the film.
2004: Stars in "Blade: Trinity"
Wesley Snipes concluded his portrayal of Blade in the third installment of the franchise, "Blade: Trinity", in 2004.
2005: Negotiations for Fight with Joe Rogan Fall Through
Wesley Snipes engaged in negotiations to fight "Fear Factor" host Joe Rogan in an Ultimate Fighting Match in 2005, but the deal was never finalized.
2005: Files Lawsuit against New Line Cinema and David S. Goyer
Wesley Snipes filed a lawsuit against New Line Cinema and director David S. Goyer in 2005 regarding his treatment during the production of "Blade: Trinity".
October 12, 2006: Tax Evasion Charges
On October 12, 2006, Wesley Snipes, Eddie Ray Kahn, and Douglas P. Rosile were charged with tax-related offenses, including conspiracy to defraud the United States and failing to file federal income tax returns.
December 4, 2006: Claims of Non-Residency
Responding to his indictment on tax evasion charges, Snipes sent a letter on December 4, 2006, declaring himself a "non-resident alien" of the United States, despite being a U.S. citizen by birth.
2006: Tax Liabilities up to 2006
The tax liabilities, culminating in the 2018 Tax Court ruling, covered a period extending through 2006, marking a point of legal and financial reckoning related to unpaid taxes.
February 1, 2008: Acquittal and Conviction in Tax Evasion Trial
On February 1, 2008, Wesley Snipes was acquitted of felony charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States, but found guilty on three misdemeanor counts of failing to file federal income tax returns.
April 24, 2008: Sentencing in Tax Evasion Case
Wesley Snipes was sentenced to the maximum three years in prison for failing to file tax returns on April 24, 2008.
2008: Tax Evasion Conviction and Sentencing
In 2008 Wesley Snipes was convicted of misdemeanor charges for failing to file federal income tax returns and sentenced to three years in prison.
2008: Exits "Miracle at St. Anna" Due to Tax Issues
Wesley Snipes was originally set to star in Spike Lee's 2008 war film "Miracle at St. Anna" but had to withdraw from the project due to tax problems.
July 16, 2010: Appeal Denied
On July 16, 2010, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit upheld Snipes's convictions for failing to file tax returns.
December 9, 2010: Imprisonment
Snipes began his three-year prison sentence on December 9, 2010, at McKean Federal Correctional Institution.
2010: Co-Creates Sci-fi Comic "After Dark"
Wesley Snipes collaborated with Antoine Fuqua to co-create the sci-fi comic book "After Dark" in 2010.
June 6, 2011: Supreme Court Declines Appeal
The Supreme Court declined to hear Snipes's appeal challenging the venue of his tax-related charges on June 6, 2011.
2012: "Gallowwalkers" Released
The film "Gallowwalkers", featuring Wesley Snipes, was released in 2012.
April 2, 2013: Released From Prison
After serving 28 months, Wesley Snipes was released from federal prison on April 2, 2013.
April 2013: Release from Prison
In April 2013, Wesley Snipes was released from federal prison after serving 28 months for misdemeanor tax offenses.
July 19, 2013: Completion of House Arrest
On July 19, 2013, Snipes finished his term of house arrest, marking the end of his sentence related to tax evasion charges.
2014: Appears in "The Expendables 3" and "Dolemite Is My Name"
Wesley Snipes appeared in "The Expendables 3" and received critical acclaim for his comedic performance as D'Urville Martin in "Dolemite Is My Name" in 2014.
2014: Returns to Theatrical Releases with "The Expendables 3"
Wesley Snipes returned to mainstream cinema with his role as Doctor "Doc" Death in the action film "The Expendables 3", reuniting with Sylvester Stallone in 2014.
2015: Stars in "The Player"
Wesley Snipes starred in the action thriller crime drama series "The Player" in 2015.
2017: Debuts as Novelist with "Talon of God"
Wesley Snipes added "novelist" to his resume in 2017 with the release of his urban fantasy supernatural adventure novel, "Talon of God".
2017: Debuts as Novelist with "Talon of God"
Wesley Snipes ventured into the world of writing with his debut novel, "Talon of God", an urban fantasy supernatural adventure, published in 2017.
November 1, 2018: Tax Court Ruling Against Snipes
On November 1, 2018, the United States Tax Court ruled in favor of the IRS regarding Snipes's unpaid taxes, stating that they acted appropriately in rejecting a settlement offer and issuing a tax lien for approximately $23.5 million in liabilities.
2021: Stars in "True Story"
Wesley Snipes starred opposite Kevin Hart in the drama limited series "True Story" in 2021.
2022: Returns to Comics with "The Exiled"
Wesley Snipes marked his return to the comic book world in 2022 with "The Exiled".