Mario Van Peebles, Mexican-American actor and director was born on January 15, 1957.

Mario Van Peebles is an American film director and actor best known for directing and starring in New Jack City in 1991 and USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage in 2016. He is the son of actor and filmmaker Melvin Van Peebles (1932-2021), whom he portrayed in the 2003 biopic Baadasssss!, which he also co-wrote and directed.