# Wesley Snipes

Wesley Trent Snipes (born July 31, 1962) is an American actor. In a film career spanning more than thirty years, Snipes has appeared in a variety of genres, such as numerous thrillers, dramatic feature films, and comedies, though he is best known for his action films. He was nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male for his work in The Waterdance (1992) and won the Volpi Cup for Best Actor for his performance in the film One Night Stand (1997).
Snipes had notable parts in the comedy film Major League (1989), the drama Mo' Better Blues (1990) and the crime drama King of New York (1990) before gaining prominence by playing a drug lord in the crime drama New Jack City (1991). He subsequently received more attention for the drama film Jungle Fever (1991), the sports comedy White Men Can't Jump (1992), and the action film Passenger 57 (1992). He has since starred in various genres such as the comedy film To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995), the thriller The Fan (1996), and the drama film Down in the Delta (1998) but mostly established himself as an action star, portraying both heroes and villains in films such as Demolition Man (1993), Rising Sun (1993), Money Train (1995), and U.S. Marshals (1998). Also in 1998, he was cast as Eric Brooks / Blade in the superhero film Blade, based on the Marvel Comics superhero of the same name, a role he went on to reprise in Blade II (2002), Blade: Trinity (2004), and Deadpool & Wolverine (2024).
From the mid-2000s, Snipes appeared in direct-to-video films before returning to the theatrical release with films such as Brooklyn's Finest (2009) and The Expendables 3 (2014). His television work includes multiple episodes in drama series H.E.L.P. (1990), action thriller crime drama series The Player (2015), and drama limited series True Story (2021) as well as the romantic drama film Disappearing Acts (2000).
He formed a production company, Amen-Ra Films, in 1991, and a subsidiary, Black Dot Media, to develop projects for film and television. Snipes has been training in martial arts since the age of 12, earning a 5th dan black belt in Shotokan karate and 2nd dan black belt in Hapkido. He is credited with helping popularize martial arts in Hollywood and bringing martial arts to mainstream audiences, as well as contributing to the representation of Black actors in action roles, breaking stereotypes. In 2017, Snipes made his debut as a novelist with the urban fantasy supernatural adventure Talon of God.

## Early life

Snipes was born in Orlando, Florida, the son of Marian (née Long), a teacher's assistant, and Wesley Rudolph Snipes, an aircraft engineer. He grew up in the Bronx, New York. He attended the High School of Performing Arts of Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts but moved back to Florida before he could graduate. After graduating from Jones High School in Orlando, Snipes returned to New York and attended the State University of New York at Purchase, from which he received a bachelor's degree in fine arts. Snipes also attended Southwestern College in California.

## Career
### Acting

At the age of 23, Snipes was discovered by an agent while performing in a competition. He made his film debut in the 1986 Goldie Hawn vehicle Wildcats. Later that year, he appeared on the TV show Miami Vice as a drug-dealing pimp in the episode "Streetwise" (first aired December 5, 1986). In 1987, he appeared as Michael Jackson's nemesis in the Martin Scorsese–directed music video "Bad" and the feature film Streets of Gold. That same year, Snipes was also considered for the role of Geordi La Forge in the TV series Star Trek: The Next Generation, but the role eventually went to LeVar Burton. Snipes auditioned and lobbied hard for the role of Leroy Green in the 1985 cult classic movie The Last Dragon, but the role was given to Taimak instead.
Snipes's performance in the music video "Bad" caught the eye of director Spike Lee. Snipes turned down a small role in Lee's Do the Right Thing for the larger part of Willie Mays Hayes in Major League, beginning a succession of box-office hits for Snipes. Lee would later cast Snipes as the jazz saxophonist Shadow Henderson in Mo' Better Blues and as the lead in the interracial romance drama Jungle Fever. After the success of Jungle Fever, The Washington Post described Snipes as "the most celebrated new actor of the season". He then played Thomas Flanagan in King of New York opposite Christopher Walken. He played the drug lord Nino Brown in New Jack City, which was written specifically for him by Barry Michael Cooper. He also played a drug dealer in the 1994 film Sugar Hill.
Snipes has played a number of roles in action films, including Passenger 57, Rising Sun, Demolition Man (with Sylvester Stallone), Drop Zone, Money Train, The Fan, U.S. Marshals and The Art of War, as well as comedies like White Men Can't Jump, and To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar where he played a drag queen. Snipes has appeared in additional dramas, such as The Waterdance and Disappearing Acts.
In 1997, Snipes won the Best Actor Volpi Cup at the 54th Venice Film Festival for his performance in New Line Cinema's One Night Stand. In 1998, Snipes had his largest commercial success with Blade, appearing in the title role, based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Blade has grossed over $150 million worldwide. The film spawned a franchise. He also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and an honorary doctorate in humanities and fine arts from his alma mater, SUNY/Purchase. In 2004, Snipes reprised his role in the third film, Blade: Trinity, which he also produced. In 2005, Snipes sued New Line Cinema and David S. Goyer, the film's studio and director, respectively. He claimed that the studio did not pay his full salary, that he was intentionally cut out of casting decisions, and that his character's screen time was reduced in favor of co-stars Ryan Reynolds and Jessica Biel. The suit was later settled, but no details were released.
Snipes later appeared in The Contractor, filmed in Bulgaria and the UK, Gallowwalkers, released in 2012, and Game of Death. Snipes was originally slated to play one of the four leads in Spike Lee's 2008 war film Miracle at St. Anna but had to leave the film due to tax problems; his role eventually went to Derek Luke.
Snipes made a comeback performance in Brooklyn's Finest as Casanova "Caz" Phillips, a supporting character, it was his first theatrical release film since 2004. He also had to turn down the part of Hale Caesar in The Expendables because he was not allowed to leave the United States without the court's approval. In 2014, he appeared in the sequel The Expendables 3. His comedic role playing D'Urville Martin in Dolemite Is My Name has earned him positive reviews and a number of award nominations.
In 2024, Snipes reprised his role as Blade after twenty years in the Marvel Studios film Deadpool & Wolverine, which integrated the character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and reunited him with former Blade: Trinity co-star Ryan Reynolds. Reynolds texted Snipes about joining the film and he had to keep his appearance a secret from his family; his surprise reappearance in the film led to positive reactions from audiences. Following the film's release, Snipes received two Guinness World Records for the longest career as a live-action Marvel character, beating out Deadpool & Wolverine co-star Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, as well as for the longest gap between character appearances in Marvel films.

### Other ventures

In the late 1990s, Snipes and his brother started a security firm called the Royal Guard of Amen-Ra, dedicated to providing VIPs with bodyguards trained in law enforcement and martial arts. Amen-Ra is also the name of his film company. In 1996, the first film produced by Amen-Ra was A Great And Mighty Walk – Dr. John Henrik Clarke.
In 2000, the business was investigated for alleged ties to the United Nuwaubian Nation of Moors. It emerged that Snipes had spotted 200 acres (0.81 km$^2$) of land near their Tama-Re compound in Putnam County, Georgia, intending to buy and use it for his business academy. Both Snipes's business and the groups used Egyptian motifs as their symbols. Ultimately, Snipes and his brother did not buy the land, instead establishing their company in Florida, Antigua, and Africa.
In 2005, Snipes entered into negotiations to fight Fear Factor host Joe Rogan on Ultimate Fighting Match, but the deal fell through.
In 2010, Snipes co-created the sci-fi comics After Dark with Antoine Fuqua. In 2017, he made his debut as a novelist with the urban fantasy supernatural adventure Talon of God. In 2022, he returned to comics with The Exiled.

## Personal life

Snipes has been married twice, first to April Snipes (née Dubois), with whom he has a son Jelani, who had a cameo role in Snipes' 1990 film Mo' Better Blues. In 2003, Snipes married painter Nakyung "Nikki" Park Snipes, with whom he has four children. Snipes also has a son who resides in British Columbia, Canada.
Snipes, who was raised a Christian, converted to Islam in 1978, but left Islam in 1988. During a 1991 interview, Snipes said "Islam made me more conscious of what African people have accomplished, of my self-worth, and gave me some self-dignity".
Snipes began training in martial arts when he was 12 years old in 1974. He has a 5th degree black belt in Shotokan karate and a 2nd degree black belt in Hapkido. He has also trained in Capoeira under Mestre Jelon Vieira and in a number of other disciplines including Kung Fu at the USA Shaolin Temple, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and kickboxing. During his time in New York, Snipes was trained in fighting by his friend and mentor Brooke Ellis. Snipes is also trained in Arnis.
In 2001, Snipes' apartment in New York City was destroyed by the collapse of the World Trade Center during the September 11 attacks. He was on the West Coast at the time.
In 2005, Snipes was investigated by the South African Police Service after he was found to be in possession of a counterfeit South African passport while attempting to leave O. R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. As he has a valid and genuine U.S passport, authorities allowed him to depart, however he was classified as an "undesirable person" for immigration purposes by the South African Department of Home Affairs.

### Income tax conviction

In 2008, Snipes was convicted on misdemeanor charges of willful failure to file federal income tax returns, and was sentenced to three years' imprisonment. After an unsuccessful appeal, he served 28 months in federal prison. He was released in April 2013.

#### Charges

On October 12, 2006, Snipes, Eddie Ray Kahn, and Douglas P. Rosile were charged with conspiring to defraud the United States and knowingly making or aiding and abetting the making of a false and fraudulent claim for payment against the US. Snipes was also charged with willfully failing to file timely federal income tax returns. The conspiracy charge against Snipes alleged that he agreed with Kahn and Rosile to file false amended returns for 1996 and 1997, including false tax refund claims totaling over $11.3 million for the two years. The government alleged that Snipes, on Kahn's advice and with Rosile's assistance, attempted to obtain fraudulent tax refunds using a tax protester theory called the "861 argument" (an argument that the domestic income of US citizens and residents is not taxable). The government alleged that Snipes sent three fictitious "bills of exchange" for $14 million to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
The indictment also charged that Snipes failed to file tax returns for any of the years 1999 through 2004. Snipes responded to his indictment in a letter on December 4, 2006, declaring himself to be "a non-resident alien" of the United States; in reality, Snipes is an U.S citizen by birth.

#### Trial and sentencing

Following a jury trial, Snipes was acquitted on February 1, 2008, of the felony count of conspiracy to defraud the US and on the felony count of filing a false claim with the government. He was found guilty on three misdemeanor counts of failing to file federal income tax returns, and acquitted on three other failure-to-file charges. His co-defendants, Douglas P. Rosile and Eddie Ray Kahn, were convicted on the conspiracy and false claim charges.
On April 24, 2008, Snipes was sentenced by Judge William Terrell Hodges to the maximum allowable term of three years in prison for the three misdemeanors counts. Kahn was sentenced to ten years in prison, while Rosile was sentenced to four and a half years in prison. The US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed Snipes's convictions in a 35-page decision issued on July 16, 2010.
Snipes reported to federal prison on December 9, 2010, to begin his three-year sentence, and he was held at McKean Federal Correctional Institution, a federal prison in Pennsylvania. On June 6, 2011, the US Supreme Court declined to hear Snipes's appeal, which had challenged the venue for the counts of failure to file returns. Snipes was released from federal prison on April 2, 2013, after serving 28 months, finishing his period of house arrest on July 19, 2013.
On November 1, 2018, the United States Tax Court ruled that the IRS did not abuse its discretion in rejecting an offer in compromise made by Snipes and in sustaining the filing of a notice of federal tax lien in connection with approximately $23.5 million in federal tax liabilities for tax year 2001 and years 2003 through 2006.

## Publications

* Talon of God (co-written with Ray Norman) (July 25, 2017)

## Awards and nominations

| Award | Category | Title | Result |
| CableACE Awards | Best Actor in a Dramatic Series | Vietnam War Story | Won |
| MTV Movie Awards | Best Villain | New Jack City | Nominated |
| Image Awards | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Motion Picture | New Jack City | Won |
| Gold Special Jury Award | Best Actors (shared with Eric Stoltz and William Forsythe) | The Waterdance | Won |
| Independent Spirit Awards | Best Supporting Actor | The Waterdance | Nominated |
| MTV Movie Awards | Best Screen Duo (shared with Woody Harrelson) | White Men Can't Jump | Nominated |
| MTV Movie Awards | Best Villain | Demolition Man | Nominated |
| Image Awards | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Television Movie or Mini-Series | America's Dream | Won |
| Venice Film Festival | Best Actor (Volpi Cup) | One Night Stand | Won |
| Blockbuster Entertainment Awards | Favorite Duo – Action/Adventure (shared with Tommy Lee Jones) | U.S. Marshals | Nominated |
| Blockbuster Entertainment Awards | Favorite Actor – Horror | Blade | Won |
| MTV Movie Awards | Best Fight | Blade | Nominated |
| Hollywood Walk of Fame | Motion pictures star | All film work | Won |
| Black Reel Awards | Network/Cable – Best Actor | Disappearing Acts | Nominated |
| Black Reel Awards | Best Actor (Motion Picture) | Undisputed | Nominated |
| Black Reel Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Brooklyn's Finest | Won |
| Image Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series | The Player | Nominated |
| DFCS Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Dolemite Is My Name | Nominated |
| SDFCS Awards | Best Comedic Performance | Dolemite Is My Name | Won |
| SDFCS Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Dolemite Is My Name | Nominated |
| SDFCS Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Dolemite Is My Name | Nominated |
| Black Reel Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actor | Dolemite Is My Name | Won |