Mario Van Peebles has long been a force in the entertainment industry, carving his own path while carrying forward the groundbreaking legacy of his late father, Melvin Van Peebles. As an actor, director, and filmmaker, he has consistently pushed boundaries, telling stories that matter and challenging Hollywood norms. Recently, I had the opportunity to interview him at Charmaine Blake’s Red Carpet Viewing Gala for the Oscars, where he accepted an award on behalf of his father—an honor that underscored Melvin Van Peebles’ lasting impact as a trailblazer for Black filmmakers.
During our conversation, Mario reflected on how far the industry has come since his father’s pioneering days. He acknowledged the progress made in representation and opportunities for Black creatives but also emphasized that there is still more work to be done. With a deep appreciation for the foundation his father laid, Mario continues to build upon that legacy, ensuring that the next generation of filmmakers and storytellers have a voice. He also shared that he’s working on some exciting new projects—ones that promise to captivate audiences and continue his family’s tradition of powerful storytelling.
Adding to the significance of the evening, the award was presented to him by none other than Vanessa Williams, a talented actress and who starred alongside him in New Jack City. The moment was a full-circle tribute to the lasting relationships and contributions Mario has made throughout his career. His presence at the event was not just about honoring the past, but also about looking ahead to the future of filmmaking.
While at the gala, I also had the pleasure of meeting Mario’s two sons, Makaylo and Mandela Van Peebles, who are both making a name for themselves in the industry. Following in the footsteps of their father and grandfather, they are proving that the Van Peebles legacy is alive and thriving. Their dedication to storytelling, creativity, and pushing artistic boundaries shows that the impact of their family will continue to shape Hollywood for generations to come.
Read on for more of my interview with Mario Van Peebles, where he delves deeper into his upcoming projects, his thoughts on the state of the industry, and how he continues to push for meaningful change in entertainment. One thing is certain—his impact, much like his father’s, will continue to be felt for years to come.
Your father, Melvin Van Peebles was an absolute trailblazer in filmmaking. What does it mean for you to be accepting this award on behalf of your amazing father?
Well, it’s all of us accepting it—myself, along with Makaylo and Mandela—which I think is fitting because none of us exist in a vacuum. We don’t succeed alone. I’m stronger because of them, just as I was stronger because of my dad, and they’re stronger because of me. It’s a collective effort. We have to shift away from a ‘me’ mentality and embrace a ‘we’ mentality, especially in a world where the system doesn’t always have our best interests at heart. It’s important to be clear on that. You know, they not like us is a real thing, right? I want to be absolutely clear on that.
So, Mandela’s moving forward in the acting realm, acting his ass off, and Makaylo is moving forward in the producing realm, putting stuff together, you know what I mean, behind the scenes. And I try to just keep on keeping on, like my daddy says.
What’s something that you learned from your father that stays in the forefront of your mind?
One of the things that my dad had said which I’m bringing up later on is that the modern-day colonizer doesn’t put chains on your body. The chains are on your mind. And the best way to start freeing your mind is control your imagery, the imagination of what you can be.
Do you think that we have progressed a lot from the time when your father started as a filmmaker?
Oh, I think we have moved forward in a lot of ways. I mean, part of his dream was that we would be in the house as writers and producers and directors.
What projects are you currently working on?
I’m getting ready to shoot a mini-series, I mean, a series, excuse me, here in Los Angeles. And Mikaylo’s helping me with that, and hopefully Mandela as well. We’re shooting right here in LA, and we have a black producing team, which is so dope. That was a part of his dream as well. And it’s a man and a woman, a husband and a wife. I won’t tell you more than that! But the beautiful thing is that it’s people of color. And part of Dad’s dream was that we weren’t just playing ball, we weren’t just doing makeup, we weren’t just acting, we were directing, we were producing, we were all of that. We didn’t just know how to play ball, we learned how to own the team. You feel me? Because then you have a different kind of control, even though it’s not all of it. Who still has it all, you know, like Bob Dylan said—that you still got to serve somebody, but we still have a little more control. It’s about making things relevant to your folks hopefully, and something that moves consciousness. That’s the goal. That’s what we try to do as a family.
It was such a pleasure to speak with Mario Van Peebles. His journey is a testament to the power of legacy, resilience, and collective progress. As he continues to honor his father’s groundbreaking work while forging his own path, he remains committed to storytelling that uplifts, challenges, and inspires. With exciting new projects on the horizon and a firm belief in the strength of community, he is not only carrying the Van Peebles name forward but also paving the way for future generations.
Watch the full interview here on Youtube, and follow the Van Peebles Family on Instagram:
Photo Credit: Desirae L. Benson
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