There are plenty of cases where rappers turn actors, and Snoop Dogg is one of them. The rap star made his musical breakthrough for his association with former Death Row artist Dr. Dre in the 1990s and sold over 800,000 copies within the first week for his debut album Doggystyle, and the rest is history.
Up to this day, the proud Long Beach native has released at least 18 studio albums as a solo artist and a plethora of awards, cementing his status in the rap game as one of the OGs in the genre. Though he is known firstly as a rapper, Snoop Dogg's acting resume boasts over 200 credits, including several music videos. To sum it up, here's a timeline of important years in Snoop Dogg's acting career so far.
8 Snoop Dogg's Acting Debut
In 1994, Snoop Dogg made his film debut with Murder Was the Case, an 18-minute short film directed by Dr. Dre. It chronicles around the fictionalized version of Snoop, making deals with the Devil to survive after getting shot. Not bad for a debut.
"He seen me as an actor. He saw more potential in me than I saw in myself. And it's funny because after he passed away, I started getting a lot of movie roles, and I always felt that 'Pac was looking out for his n***a—even after he was gone," he recalled the time when his late friend Tupac Shakur put him in the acting industry during the "California Love" rapper's 2017 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
7 Snoop Dogg Starred In A Comedic Film With Dr. Dre In 2001
In 2001, Snoop linked up with Dr. Dre for stoner comedy flick The Wash. Directed by DJ Pooh, The Wash tells a story of two roommates, Sean (Dre) and Dee Loc (Snoop), trying to pay their rent by working in a car wash. Many A-list rappers were involved in the film, including Eminem, Kurupt, Ludacris, Xzibit, and even former NBA superstar Shaquille O'Neal.
In the same year, Snoop also ventured into horror films, acting in a cult classic blaxploitation movie about a murdered gambler who rises from the dead to avenge. Titled Bones, the film was, unfortunately, a box office failure, making $8.4 million out of its $16 million budget.
6 Snoop Dogg's Production Company
Fast forward to 2005, Snoop launched his very own film production banner, Snoopadelic Films, under MCA. Based in Claremont, Snoopadelic Films mainly focuses on films, documentaries, and DVDs related to Snoop Dogg. The company made its debut in 2005 with Boss'n Up, a musical film inspired by the rapper's 2004 Grammy-nominated album R&G (Rythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece. It centers around a lady-magnet grocery clerk who faces the dilemma between the love of his life or chasing a successful career as a pimp.
5 He Co-Starred With Fellow Rapper Wiz Khalifa In 2012
Snoop Dogg is best known for his comedic portrayals in films, and that includes his 2012 stoner comedic hit Mac & Devin Go to High School. Starring alongside Wiz Khalifa as one of the titular duos, Mac & Devin Go to High School was panned by critics.
"It's something to relax you and get you through the day; it's some real good music. The music is quality, I don't even have no title for it, as far as what kinda music is it, it's centric," the rap veteran said about the film, discussing its Bruno Mars-featured soundtrack tune "Young, Wild, & Free."
4 Snoop Dogg's Wrestling Appearances
Snoop is no stranger to some of the most bizarre and shocking appearances in Hollywood. He's one of a kind and a complete entertainer, and he took it further by trying in wrestling entertainment in the 2010s. He's made several appearances for WWE, including as master of ceremonies during WrestleMania XXIV in 2008. Later on, the company inducted him into the celebrity wing of the WWE Hall of Fame during WrestleMania 32 alongside Drew Carey, Mike Tyson, Mr. T, Donald Trump, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kid Rock, Ozzy Osbourne, and more.
However, Snoop recently made a cameo appearance in All Elite Wrestling, defeating Serpentico during a match alongside Cody Rhodes against Matt Sydal. AEW is undoubtedly WWE's rival, so the rapper's decision backfired on him as WWE briefly banned him after the appearance.
3 Snoop Dogg In 'Pitch Perfect 2'
Snoop Dogg held a fun cameo role in the 2015 film, Pitch Perfect, alongside Anna Kendrick and Hailee Steinfeld. In the film, the rapper plays himself recording a Christmas album in the studio Anna Kendrick's character Beca interns at briefly. Beca and Snoop even collaborate on a Christmas song remix together. Though his role wasn't huge, it definitely added something special to the film.
2 Snoop Dogg's Voice Over Roles
Snoop's acting career doesn't just begin and end with on-screen roles, he has also lent his voice to a lot of productions. He voices a futuristic Siri for Hulu's drama Utopia Falls. The series is a "Footloose meets Hunger Games teen-drama." Snoop Dogg is also the voice of Rev. Sugar Squires on F is for Family and of It on the new animated The Addams Family 2 (2021).
1 What's Next For Snoop Dogg?
So, what's next for Snoop Doggy Dogg? Despite being at the latter stage of his career, the rap star shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon. Last year, he celebrated the stoner culture by releasing his 18th album, From tha Streets 2 tha Suites, with cameo vocals from The Eastsidaz, Mozzy, Kokane, and more.
Speaking of his acting career, Snoop Dogg has a plethora of up-and-coming projects on his horizon. Last year, he was spotted at the set of Jamie Foxx's upcoming Netflix film Day Shift, and cast as Scratch in John D. Eraklis' upcoming cartoon film Pierre the Pigeon-Hawk.
