New York rapper DMX achieved rap superstardom with iconic albums such as “It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot” and “…And Then There Was X.” But the influential artist, who died on April 9 at 50 years old, was also known for his film roles in “Romeo Must Die,” “Exit Wounds,” “Belly” and “Cradle 2 the Grave.”
He also guest-starred on TV series such as “Fresh Off the Boat,” “Third Watch” and “Eve,” and lent his voice to the “Def Jam: Vendetta” hip hop/pro wrestling video game.
His appearances in films like “The Bleeding,” “Jump Out Boys” and “Last Hour” may not have been as well known, but DMX amassed plenty of fans for his acting prowess.
Catch up on DMX’s film career with his most captivating roles.
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Cradle 2 the Grave (2003)
In this high-intensity action thriller from producer Joel Silver, DMX plays a professional jewel thief who runs afoul of a notorious criminal mastermind when he steals a cache of priceless black diamonds. Aided by a relentless Taiwanese Intelligence Agent – played by martial arts superstar Jet Li – DMX is forced to rescue his kidnapped daughter and prevent the release of a potential superweapon on the black market. The actor capably handles himself in the film’s well-choreographed fight scenes, and exhibits a solid amout of chemistry with his co-star Li. Their successful odd-couple pairing is enough to make you wish someone had commissioned a sequel.
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Belly (1998)
In his first feature film role, DMX plays Tommy “Buns” Brown, a cold-blooded street criminal who rises steadily in the violent drug trade thanks to his merciless trigger finger. Directed by acclaimed music video director Hype Williams, and co-starring fellow rapper Nas and Method Man, “Belly” became a cult hit on video and went on to influence an entire subgenre of intense hip-hop action pics. In a nod to Martin Scorsese’s gangster classic “Goodfellas,” DMX’s character is named after Joe Pesci’s psychotic Tommy DeVito.
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Romeo Must Die (2000)
In his first major studio film, DMX plays Silk, a charismatic nightclub owner who finds himself the target of a gangster-turned-real-estate developer who wants to cut himself in on a piece of Silk’s action. Although his is only a supporting role, DMX nevertheless steals his scenes, particularly when he breaks up a fight by threatening to open fire on a crowd from the safety of the DJ booth in his club.
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Exit Wounds (2001)
This hard-hitting thriller about police corruption in Detroit is like “Serpico” on steroids. DMX plays a billionaire computer expert who goes undercover as a local drug dealer in order to prove that a group of dirty cops framed his brother for a crime he didn’t commit. Teaming up with a rogue detective – played by a lumbering Steven Seagal – DMX exacts revenge on the crooked police force in a series of impressive fight scenes and slow-mo car explosions.
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Beyond the Law (2019)
In his second onscreen pairing with Steven Seagal, DMX plays a corrupt police detective caught in the middle of a war between a bloated mob boss and a grizzled ex-cop whose son was murdered. Unfortunately, the actor is given little to do in the film other than wear a snazzy leather coat and order an occasional bottle of Hennessy. It’s a far cry from “Exit Wounds,” his previous film with Seagal.
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Never Die Alone (2004)
Stylishly directed by Ernest Dickerson, and loosely based on a 1974 novel by crime author Donald Goines, this ultra-violent modern noir stars DMX as a ruthless drug dealer who returns home to settle a score with a deadly kingpin. Combining elements from “Carlito’s Way,” “New Jack City,” and “King of New York,” the film is grittier than many of DMX’s previous action pics, and offers the star a chance to dig deep into a role that contains few redeeming qualities.
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Fast and Fierce: Death Race (2020)
In this rip-off of “The Fast and the Furious,” DMX plays a sinister mobster who forces a crusty ex-NASCAR driver to compete in the Outlaw 1000, a high-stakes road race from Mexico to Los Angeles, in order to pay off his brother’s debt. Sadly, DMX’s role amounts to little more than an extended cameo.