Ving Rhames (born Irving Rameses Rhames), actor. He is known for his work in Bringing Out the Dead, Pulp Fiction, Baby Boy, Don King: Only in America, Dawn of the Dead, Holiday Heart, Con Air, Piranha 3D & Piranha 3DD, the Mission: Impossible film series and the 2012 SyFy movie Zombie Apocalypse. Named after the late NBC journalist, Irving R. Levine, fellow SUNY Purchase acting student Stanley Tucci gave him his nickname "Ving". He transferred and graduated from the prestigious Julliard School.