Ice-T has been a household name since 1982, but it was his first appearance on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit that skyrocketed his popularity. Before this, he was known for rapping, break dancing, and his various appearances in television and film as himself or minor characters. He has an impressive record in both discography and filmography.It was during the early years of his career that he married actress Coco Austin, with whom he as a 6-year-old daughter named Chanel. With all the trials and tribulation that come with the glitz and glam of Hollywood, Ice-T And Coco managed to make their marriage last with mutual love and support. They even starred in their own reality show Ice Loves Coco from 2011 to 2013.
What Was Ice-T Doing Before 'SVU'?
Before the bells and whistles of it all. Sergeant Odafin 'Fin' Tutuola was quite literally singing a different tune. Ice-T began the heavy metal group Body Count in 1990 and the group has been active on and off ever since. Their debut album of the same name featured 'Cop Killer' in which Ice-T condemns police for their continued excessive and deadly force. It is one of his most well-known songs along with 'Colors' and 'Last Wordz' with 2Pac and Ice-Cube.
But his discography doesn't end there. Ice-T has released 8 solo albums, 7 albums with Body Count, and 7 collaboration albums. Ice-T also won his first Grammy 9 years before he would ever begin to step foot on the SVU lot and another in 2021. Ice-T even appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Arsenio Hall Show twice, and even Late Night with Conan O'Brien seventeen times. With all these accolades, it makes sense that Ice-T has made plenty of bank during his acting career.
How Did Ice-T Land His Leading Role?
So what exactly attracted a heavy-metal, gangster rapper to this leading tole? Well, in short, it was the paycheck. Ice-T had appeared in Fame, New York Undercover, and Dick Wolf's Swift Justice before making his debut on SVU in the second season premiere. Fans argue that he serves as the unofficial turned official replacement for Dean Winter's character Detective Brian Cassidy, who left the show midway through season one.
Nonetheless, this does not take away from the fact that the Sergeant is arguably one of the best characters to star on the show. Don't think so? There are plenty of epic one-liners that prove Ice-T makes SVU. Without his wit and sarcastic nature, fans just might find themselves at a loss.
With his character taking on lovable, yet quality traits bestowed to him by his longtime partner John Munch, Ice-T grew well into the part fans enjoy today,
How Does Ice-T Want To Leave The Show?
For years, fans have speculated how the beloved Sergeant should make his exit, and Ice-T has expressed interest in just how the tenured Tutuola should go as well. The actor told Mashed that he wants to go out swinging. He does want a quiet exit but thinks Tutuola should be murdered. After portraying such an intense role for over two decades, it is understandable that the last thing Ice-T wants to do is walk away quietly.
Ice-T continued to joke that in the "Wolf-Universe" he could find himself climbing up a ladder in Chicago Fire at the start of their next season. With his newfound romance with his fiancée and Vice Sergeant Phoebe Baker, it's clear that his character is still growing and changing. Since his time on the show, there has been greater progress in real-life legislation changes surrounding rape and victims of heinous crimes, giving him yet another reason to stay.
Will Ice-T Be Leaving Anytime Soon?
In short, leaving SVU is one of the last things the actor wishes to do. But that doesn't mean fans are any less worried. After the impromptu exit of Christopher Meloni's central character Elliott Stabler in 2011 many favorites have come in and out of the doors of Manhattan's 16th Precinct. Even with only Mariska Hargitay to lean on from the early days, Ice-T is ready to take on anything.
So the real reason SVU fans are worried about Ice-T leaving is that not only does he have other obligations to his career but a Special Victims officer role takes a toll on actors like no other. However, most exits don't last forever, with many actors reprising their roles for guest spots and even new positions in the Wolf-Universe. As of right now, Tutuola fans can take a deep, relaxing breath because he is here to stay.