Melvin Van Peebles
Full Name
Melvin Van Peebles
Date of Birth
August 21, 1932
Place of Birth
Date of Death
September 21, 2021
Place of Death
Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
Education
- Ohio Wesleyan University (BA)
- Attended Stanford University for graduate studies
Spouses Names
- Maria Marx (m. Unknown, div. Unknown)
Children Names
- Mario Van Peebles (son)
- Megan Van Peebles (daughter)
- Max Van Peebles (son)
Parents Names
- Father: Marion Peebles
- Mother: Edwin Griffin
Known Affiliates Names
Mario Van Peebles (son and collaborator)
Affiliated Organizations’ Names
- Directed Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song
- Directed Watermelon Man
- Worked with the French Cinematheque
Melvin Van Peebles was a pioneering American filmmaker, actor, playwright, novelist, and composer, widely regarded as the godfather of modern Black cinema. His groundbreaking film “Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song” (1971) is credited with giving rise to the Blaxploitation genre in the 1970s. Van Peebles’ work was known for its innovative style, political commentary, and the way it challenged the conventions of Hollywood’s portrayal of African Americans. Before his film career, Van Peebles spent time in France, where he wrote novels and made short films. He also worked on Wall Street and had a stint in the Air Force. His legacy includes not only his contributions to cinema but also his influence on future generations of filmmakers and artists.