Ving Rhames Takes on New Challenges in Hollywood

In the midst of high-stakes stunts, Ving Rhames embarked on a different journey—learning how to thrive in Hollywood, guided by none other than Tom Cruise.

Rhames, who has played the brilliant hacker Luther Stickel in every Mission: Impossible film, is now taking viewers on a thrilling ride through devastating natural disasters in his new role as host of the History Channel series “Ving Rhames: The Scariest of All Time.” This venture, unlike his usual exploits, comes with real risks, where survival is far from guaranteed.

The 66-year-old actor shared with Fox News Digital that throughout the explosions, high-speed chases, and dramatic stunts in Mission: Impossible, he never felt concerned about his safety. He attributes this peace of mind to Cruise’s expertise.

“Tom Cruise has made it very safe for us,” Rhames noted.

From the beginning, Rhames found himself often surprised by Cruise’s character.

“What surprised me about him? Well, I think it’s that he doesn’t really see color,” Rhames remarked. “Working alongside a white actor who genuinely embodies that philosophy was a profound experience for me.”

Amid the adrenaline-pumping action, Cruise took time to forge a genuine connection with Rhames.

“Some of my favorite moments were just talking with him off set. He shared invaluable insights about the industry,” Rhames recalled, highlighting the lessons he learned from their conversations.

One of the key lessons Rhames emphasizes is straightforward: “Treat everyone fairly.”

In an industry often characterized by egos, he believes that this approach has played a crucial role in his lasting presence in Hollywood.

“It’s about being in Hollywood rather than acting like a Hollywood person. That’s something I’ve learned over the years,” he explained.

Before his Mission: Impossible days, Rhames confronted another significant role, portraying the fearsome Marcellus Wallace in Quentin Tarantino’s 1994 hit, Pulp Fiction. He described the cast’s realism as striking.

Yet, an unexpected detail stands out from that film.

“There’s tape on the back of my head!” he explained. “I had a keloid treated and covered it with a Band-Aid. When filming day came, I removed it, and Quentin asked, ‘Where’s the Band-Aid?’ It wasn’t intentional; it just happened.”

This detail has become a memorable aspect of his character. To this day, fans often quote one of his most famous lines, “I’m going to be medieval in your a-.”

Despite his extensive experience, Rhames confessed he wasn’t prepared for some of the unsettling tales in “The Scariest of All Time.”

“We did an episode about a disaster in China,” he teased. “I was genuinely moved thinking about how many lives were affected. What if such a thing happened here in America? I hope these stories provide insight and might help me become a more fulfilled person.”

As he wrapped up his narration, he left viewers with a poignant message: “Never put humans first; that’s my advice. History repeats itself.”

Rhames continues to thrive, while Cruise remains just as relentless in his pursuits.

As of May 2025, Cruise expressed in an interview that he doesn’t see himself stepping away from the action genre. He mentioned he hopes to keep making Mission: Impossible films well into his 80s, similar to Harrison Ford’s longevity with Indiana Jones.

“Honestly, I had said I’d make films until I was 80, but now I think I might even go until I’m 100,” Cruise declared. “I’m not slowing down. I’ll keep doing action, drama, and comedy. I’m just thrilled about it all.”