Celebrated for his roles in Pulp Fiction and Mission Impossible, today Ving Rhames, 65, plays a tough ex-boxing champ in the boxing movie Uppercut. Born and raised in Harlem, later studying drama at SUNY Purchase and Julliard, Ving, 65, tells SENIOR PLANET about his extraordinary life:

Q: Historically, there’s been so many boxing movies. What makes Uppercut different?

VING: I think boxing is a back drop. It’s really about two people from two different worlds. Boxing brings them together, and a relationship starts.

Q: Has boxing played a role in your own life?

VING: Actually, I did a film called Undisputed with Wesley Snipes 23 years ago, and Sugar Ray Leonard’s assistant was my boxing coach.

Curious about Uppercut? Here’s a sneak peek:

Q: You were named Irving for NBC journalist Irving R Levine but later went by “Ving”. What’s the story behind that?

VING: Stanley Tucci started calling me Ving on campus [at SUNY Purchase] where we were both studying drama, and then it just stuck. And we were like college roommates. We had a good relationship, and I really respect him as an actor. He lives in London now and the last time I saw him was on Mission Impossible 7.

Q: Aside from Tom Cruise, you are the only actor to star in all seven Mission Impossible – reprising your role as Luther Stickell in the eighth and final movie due out this summer. What’s it like working with Tom?

VING: It’s been a lot of fun. I first met Tom at the premiere of Pulp Fiction in Central Park. I was in the men’s room, he walks in, and then there’s just him and me in the men’s room. We start talking. He asked me: How’s the film? And then afterwards, he gave me a big hug, and the paparazzi thought I knew him – but I didn’t really. So then, a week later, he gave me a script for Mission Impossible. I said: Tom, why is it the black man always dies in the first 10 pages? He said, Yeah. Why is that?

And I just recently finished number eight. So I’m very grateful, very appreciative. Tom, is really the only person I know who doesn’t see color. He’s the only human being I’ve met like that. He’s down to earth. He’s authentic, and I’m glad he became a part of my life. On my birthday, he sent me an electronic bike. He sent me a three-storey cake with pictures of Mission Impossible on it, and he sends my kids school books. So I’m very fortunate to have met him and to have had the experience on all the Missions. He’s also a very good executive producer because he cares about people and takes care of his crew and actors.

Q: How do you keep strong for your movie roles? And what about nutrition?  

VING: I lift weights and use the treadmill. Thank God, I have a very good lady who cooks for me; she takes care of me very well. I’m very fortunate. I met her in Vegas. The food she makes is pretty healthy and natural. She cooks a lot of fish. She’s also a very talented singer. Her name is Steph Payne. We met through a comedian named Luenell. We both went to see Luenell backstage and that’s where I met her about six months go. She keeps me in touch with certain music. It’s rare to find a woman who can sing as well as her.

Q: In Uppercut your character quotes blues musician Buddy Guy’s mantra: Attitude, habitude, gratitude. Do you share similar philosophies?

VING: More likely, gratitude. I’m thankful for the opportunities I’ve had, and how I went from a poor boy in Harlem to growing up in Brentwood. So I’m very appreciative. And I thank God I’ve had very good people come into my life and add to it.

Q: You mention God frequently. Were you raised a Christian?

VING: I was raised probably 50% Muslim, 50% Christian. I’m not going to say I fully understand them [both religions], but I’m going to say I grew up on 126th Street in Harlem, around the Nation of Islam and around many Pentecostal Christian churches.

Q: Any thoughts on retirement?

VING: I would say I’m semi retired now. I pretty much just get offered jobs. I haven’t auditioned since Pulp Fiction. I do what I want when I want.

Q: What prompted you to famously give your Golden Globe to Jack Lemmon in 1998?

VING: Well, I never worked with him. But I met him the night I gave him the award, and it was something that God laid on my heart. So I have to give God the credit for that. And then after I met him, that same week, we went out for dinner and I learned more about his career, which was pretty fantastic so I’m happy I was able to do that in reverence to him.

Q: Which of your films are you most recognized for?

VING: Either Pulp Fiction or Holiday Heart. I played a drag queen in Holiday Heart.

Q: What’s your secret to aging with attitude?

VING: Be true to yourself. There’s only one you. There’s something that you can bring to this life that no one else can. So be true to yourself.

UPPERCUT is now available on digital and on demand.

Photo Credit: Ving Rhames as “Elliot” in the thriller UPPERCUT, a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Lionsgate.

Gill Pringle began her career as a rock columnist for popular British newspapers, traveling the world with Madonna, U2 and Michael Jackson. Moving to Los Angeles 27 years ago, she interviews film and TV personalities for prestigious UK outlets, The Independent, The i-paper and The Sunday Times – and, of course, Senior Planet. A member of Critics Choice Association, BAFTA and AWFJ, she wrote the screenplay for 2016 Netflix family film, The 3 Tails Movie: A Mermaid Adventure. An award-winning writer, in 2021 she was honored by the Los Angeles Press Club with 1st prize at the NAEJ Awards.