Ice-T returns for his 12th season on NBC's "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit" as Detective Odafin "Fin" Tutuola. This is his fourth project with executive producer Dick Wolf after the 1997-98 series "Players," NBC's "Exiled: A Law & Order Movie," and several memorable guest-starring appearances on Wolf's gritty cop series "New York Undercover."
Through his music, his books (The Ice Opinion, Ice: A Memoir of Gangster Life and Redemption--from South Central to Hollywood), and his college lecture tours (including Harvard, Princeton and Stanford), Ice-T has become a cultural icon recognized the world over.
Born in New Jersey, Ice-T learned the art of survival pretty fast. As an only child whose parents died when he was very young, Ice-T became involved in Los Angeles gangs before spending four years in the army. His first break came when the producers of the film "Breakin'" asked him to rap in the movie. He went on to become rap music's original gangster, writing songs like "Six in the Mornin'" and "New Jack Hustler."
Ice-T formed Rhyme Syndicate Records in 1989 and released a string of groundbreaking West Coast rap records. He subsequently formed the thrash metal band Body Count with close high school friend and guitarist Ernie C. Body Count's 1991 self-titled debut contained the controversial single "Cop Killer." Body Count was the most critically acclaimed act on the highly successful 1991 Lollapalooza tour, and continued to tour worldwide. Ice-T has received a Grammy Award and was voted Best Male Rapper in Rolling Stone's 1992 Readers Poll.
As his politics were grabbing headlines, Ice-T's film and television career was taking off. The controversial personality secured roles in "New Jack City," "Ricochet," "Trespass," and "Johnny Mnemonic," all while building a flourishing television career. He has numerous independent and documentary film roles to his credit as well.
As an artist, his reach has crossed from music into film and television, and interactive media. On VH1's "Rap School," Ice-T taught prep school kids how to be rappers. He also hosted the 2006 Hip Hop Honors. Ice-T also produced "The Peacemakers," a reality show for A&E centered on gang mediator Malik Spellman. He is the voice of Griffen in the upcoming "Gears of War 3" game releasing in September. He is also directing a documentary called "The Art of Rap," which will feature interviews with some of the greatest rappers of all time. In the summer of 2011, Ice-T and his wife Coco launched their own reality series on E!, "Ice Loves Coco." His memoir, The Ice Opinion, Ice: A Memoir of Gangster Life and Redemption--from South Central to Hollywood), was released in April 2011 to wide acclaim.
