LL Cool J soon led to an increase in multi-racial audiences and listeners, adding to the legacy of the album and hip hop as well. In 2017, LL Cool J became the first rapper to receive Kennedy Center Honors. LL Cool J James Todd Smith (born January 14, 1968), known professionally as LL Cool J (short for Ladies Love Cool James), is an American hip hop recording artist, record producer, actor, author and entrepreneur from Queens, New York. He is known for such hip hop hits as "Going Back to Cali", "I'm Bad", "The Boomin' System", "Rock the Bells" and "Mama Said Knock
James Stephens (actor) James Stephens (actor) James Stephens (born May 18, 1951) is an American television and film actor best known for his starring role as James T. Hart in the television series, "The Paper Chase". Stephens was born in Mount Kisco, New York. He is best known for his role as idealistic Minnesota-born law student James T. Hart in "The Paper Chase" (1978–1979 and 1983-1986), taking on the role originated by Timothy Bottoms in the movie of the same name. He is also known for his role in Tom Bosley's ABC television series, "Father Dowling Mysteries" (1989-1991) in which Stephens was cast