Actor, director, writer, and all-around badass Melvin Van Peebles is the topic of today's Throwback Thursday. #TBT to Melvin and his nudity-filled debut acting role in Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song.
Melvin Van Peebles is a true indie maverick who can do it all. The Chicago native who initially wanted to be a writer and painter basically stumbled into directing and acting by simply doing it. When someone suggested he become a filmmaker, he did just that. He picked up a camera and confidently made a few short films, learning by doing. As a director, he made a few features before making a real name for himself with Sweetback. He directed The Story of a Three-Day Pass, Watermelon Man and an episode of The Bill Cosby Show before his career really launched with 1971's Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song.
Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song stars Melvin himself as a prostitute who becomes a hero when he saves a Black Panther from police brutality. Melvin became our hero when he showed off his sweet back in several sex scenes.
The ladies love Sweetback, not just for his ass, but also for his big dong. In one of the best scenes in the movie he takes off a strapon to reveal his real cock. It looks even better than the fake thing!
After Sweetback, he enjoyed a celebrated career in front of and behind the camera. He can really do it all and he does it with no fear. While other actors fear nudity might hurt their chances of mainstream success, Melvin enjoyed writing, directing and acting in both mainstream television and movies despite being most associated with proudly playing a prostitute.
His son Mario Van Peebles followed his father into show business and even played his dad in the movie Baadasssss! Inspired by his own father, Mario made sure to show off his buns aplenty in the movie. Like father like son! We can barely tell their sweetbacks apart.
Melvin is still thriving with a robust career that includes everything from film, novels, albums, a career as a stock trader, and several paintings. While we definitely appreciate all of Melvin's contributions to art and culture, it's his dudity in Sweetback that has us singing his praise. #TBT to Melvin's sweet ass!
