When the actors’ union went on strike last summer, many performers were left wondering how to fill their time. Not Ice-T. The star of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit used the opportunity to return to his roots in music. “I’ve been in the studio with Treach, making new music. We started a little project called Black Cadillac,” Ice, now 65, shares with Closer. As a Grammy-winning artist, he's clearly passionate about his music. But don’t worry, fans of Law & Order—he’s eager to return to the set soon to play Odafin “Fin” Tutuola. One thing’s for sure: don’t expect Fin to start rapping on the show anytime soon. “I wouldn’t do that — that would be corny,” he jokes. “I got to draw the line somewhere.”
Surviving Loss at a Young Age
You lost both your parents by the time you were 13. How did you cope with such immense loss at such a young age?
“Listen, with all due respect, I think it’s better for me that it happened so early. As a kid, you don’t fully grasp the concept of death. You’re in pain, but you don’t even realize how deep that pain goes because you don’t understand what death really means. So, I dealt with it. I was shipped off to L.A. to live with an aunt—some lady I’d never met. And from the age of 17, I’ve been on my own. It shaped who I am today.”
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Life Lessons from Early Hardships
How did those early experiences shape your perspective on life?
“It’s one of those things you adjust to. I don’t dwell much on my past. I’ve ripped the rearview mirror off my life and focus on what’s ahead. You know, I’ve learned something interesting: a lot of very successful people—billionaires—are orphans too. It’s all about how you adapt and move forward.”
The Power of Music
Do you consider music your big break?
“Absolutely. That’s why I’m still Ice-T. That’s why Queen Latifah is still Queen Latifah and LL Cool J is still LL. Without hip-hop, none of this would have happened. Rap opened the first door, leading to so many others. Music has saved countless lives—including mine. It’s a powerful medium that can change the trajectory of anyone’s life.”
Breaking into Acting
What was your first big acting project?
“That would be New Jack City. It was the first movie where I had lines. Who would’ve thought it would become a classic? That role led me to work with legends like Keanu Reeves, Rutger Hauer, and Denzel Washington. Then I ended up on television with Dick Wolf in New York Undercover. And now, I’m part of the longest-running primetime TV show in history. You can’t make this stuff up!”
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Marriage and Partnership
You’ve been married to your wife, Coco, for over 20 years. What’s your secret?
“Communication. It’s essential. You’ve got to be able to talk to each other. At the end of the day, you and your partner are best friends. You’ll spend more time with this person than anyone else in the world. Being able to communicate openly is key to making it work.”
You seem to have a great partnership.
“Absolutely. I honestly don’t know where I’m going most of the time—Coco handles the logistics, and I just show up. It was funny, I was on the red carpet the other day, and they asked me what I was wearing. I had no idea! All I could say was, ‘A cool jacket, I guess.’”
You’re also a grandfather. What do you enjoy most about it?
“To be honest, being a grandfather doesn’t really resonate with me. I’m more connected to my actual kids; their kids are their responsibility!”
Health and Advocacy
You recently partnered with Sanofi to encourage people to get their flu shots. Why is this important?
“Last flu season was one of the worst in recent years in the U.S. Despite the risks, over half of the adult population doesn’t get their flu vaccine annually. I want people to take their health seriously. I just turned 65, and I’ve been getting the flu shot for the past 20 to 25 years. Since I’ve been on Law & Order, I haven’t had a single sick day.”
That’s impressive. How do you maintain your health and fitness?
“I follow a low-stress diet. Early in my career, I discovered I had high blood pressure. By managing stress, I was able to lower it. I also became healthier when Chanel was born. The moment she arrived, I realized, ‘Ice, you can’t die.’ I started cutting back on sugar—my biggest vice is Kool-Aid. I’ve toned that down and drink a lot more water. It’s all about staying conscious and mindful of your
