Actor And Writer Melvin Van Peebles Dies At 89

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He is praised as the Godfather of Modern Black Cinema.

Melvin Van Peebles, the compelling producer behind “Sweet Sweetback’s Baadassss Song,” and father of director and actor Mario Van Peebles, has died on Tuesday night at his home in Manhattan, surrounded by his family.

Photo of the Remarkables mountain range in Queenstown, New Zealand.
His family, The Criterion Collection and Janus Films affirmed his demise in an assertion delivered Wednesday evening.

“In an unparalleled career distinguished by relentless innovation, boundless curiosity and spiritual empathy, Melvin Van Peebles made an indelible mark on the international cultural landscape through his films, novels, plays and music,” the statement read.

Photo of the Remarkables mountain range in Queenstown, New Zealand.

“His work continues to be essential and is being celebrated at the New York Film Festival this weekend with a 50th anniversary screening of his landmark film Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song; a Criterion Collection box set, Melvin Van Peebles: Essential Films next week; and a revival of his play Ain’t Supposed to Die a Natural Death, slated for a return to Broadway next year.”

Son Mario Van Peebles, who emulated his dad’s footsteps in coordinating movies and directing films lauded his dad’s vision. “Dad knew that Black images matter,” he began.

Photo of the Remarkables mountain range in Queenstown, New Zealand.

“If a picture is worth a thousand words, what was a movie worth? We want to be the success we see, thus we need to see ourselves being free. True liberation did not mean imitating the colonizer’s mentality. It meant appreciating the power, beauty and interconnectivity of all people.”

Aside from being a filmmaker, Van Peebles was a novelist, playwright, songwriter, musician, and painter. According to IMDB, his last acting role was the film short “Pile On!” which is in post-production.

Reactions to Icon Of Black Cinema Van Peebles Dies At 89

Rest in Peace, to an icon — Melvin Van Peebles.

Never forget when Melvin Van Peebles and his son, Mario Van Peebles, guest starred on an episode of Living Single. That was such a great episode.

RIP to the legend Melvin van Peebles

R.I.P. Melvin Van Peebles, who claimed to have successfully applied to the Director's Guild for compensation for a workplace injury after contracting gonorrhea during an unsimulated sex scene. A legend who deserved his own Cry Macho.

RIP to the legendary director, playwright,actor, and composer Melvin Van Peebles🙏🕊

definition of a Maverick. RIP to the GREAT Melvin Van Peebles. #MelvinVanPeebles

Melvin Van Peebles wasn't just a breakthrough Black filmmaker, he was a landmark American independent filmmaker. He lived and breathed his art and he blew doors off hinges so other people could do the same. L E G E N D.

LEGEND! R.I.P. #MelvinVanPeebles

A very underrated director and actor RIP Melvin Van Peebles

Peace to Melvin Van Peebles 🤲🏾👼🏾

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