June 30, 2009, at 9:07 pm
Wesley Trent Snipes born July 31st 1962 in Orlando Florida; had a late start to his acting fame unlike many others. With no childhood performances, no teen sensations and no early twenties showstoppers to speak of, Wesley did not get his first acting gig until the age of 24 in the film Wildcats (Which I just finished watching). Even though Wildcats is an awesome film, Snipes role was minimal and it took one more to get him recognized.
Acting as Michael Jackson’s nemesis in the Scorsese film Bad Wesley was recognized by director Spike Lee and was offered an upcoming role in Lee’s new film Do the Right Thing. Snipes, who made a tough decision in turning down the Spike Lee role, went for the larger part of Willie Mays Hays in Major League. 1989 officially began the Wesley Snipes craze and the box office hits rolled in one by one.
Spike Lee was finally able to get a hold of Wesley Snipes in 1990 for his film Mo Better Blues and in the 1991 racially charged film Jungle Fever. Keeping the ’91 spirit, Snipes starred as the drug lord Nino Brown in New Jack City which then lead to a very popular string of leading roles. Passenger 57, Rising Sun, Demolition Man, Money Train, The Fan, Murder at 1600 and US Marshals brought in hundreds of millions at the theaters and prepared audiences for what has become Snipes most recognizable role, the vampire slaying, well, vampire; Blade. Two sequels later Wesley was slated to make a few international films in ’07 and ’09 but Snipes decided to fight the law and the law won. (Actually, is currently ahead)
In 2006, Snipes was charged with intentionally defrauding the United States as well as making a fraudulent claim for payment against the United States. In 1996 Snipes filed a refund claim of $4M and in 1997 filed another refund claim of $7.3M. While his defense strategy was ridiculous, Snipes was actually able to beat both of these felony’s but was not as fortunate on the misdemeanors.
In February of 2008, Wesley Snips was convicted of not filing Federal Income Tax Returns for three years and was sentenced to three full years in prison. The prosecution was able to use Snipes’ fame against him and the judge clearly made an example of the celebrity. Before you think Snipes’ received the rare “short end of the stick” for a celebrity it should be noted that he is jail-free while his appeal is in process. So today, we honor soon-to-be imprisoned Wesley Snipes as the 89th Greatest Actor of All Time.
When I think Wesley Snipes so many things come to mind. Sadly, I have never seen Snipes on the big screen, only on my TV screen and usually on channels such as UPN, WB or late night Spike TV, where the Blade trilogy plays over and over and over again. Quality Snipes is Demolition Man. Quality Snipes is Major League. Quality Snipes is NOT US Marshals. Wesley does not belong in the “realistic” action genre but shines in the “unrealistic” action genre. And, for all of you wannabe actors out there, please allow Mr. Snipes to give you a friendly word of advice.
* Interesting Fact #181,291. Wesley Snipes avoided the World Trade Center tragedy on September 11th, 2001 when he was running very late from the gym to get back to his Trade Center apartment.
