Melvin Van Peebles, Godfather Of Black Cinema, Dies At 89

Groundbreaking playwright, musician, and movie director Melvin Van Peebles is dead at the age of 89.

Sometimes called the "godfather of modern Black cinema," Van Peebles wrote numerous books and plays and recorded several albums. But he’s best known for “Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song!” which he wrote, produced, directed, starred in,action-comedy and scored.

He also directed a 1973 film adaptation of “Don’t Play Us Cheap!” and the 1989 action comedy “Identity Crisis,” which starred his son Mario.