• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
LL Cool J says he almost drowned to death on the set of Deep Blue Sea

Home> Celebrity

Published 16:43 25 Feb 2023 GMT

LL Cool J says he almost drowned to death on the set of Deep Blue Sea

The rapper claimed he almost drowned when a crew member 'bailed' on him

Ali Condon

Ali Condon

LL Cool J has revealed that he once almost drowned on the set of a film when a crew member 'bailed' on him.

The rapper had appeared in the 1999 sci-fi horror flick Deep Blue Sea, a film about a team of researchers looking for the cure of Alzheimer's disease by genetically modifying sharks.

Of course, it isn't long before the genetically modified sharks hunt down and kill their creators.

Advert

LL Cool J played the research facility cook, Sherman 'Preacher' Dudley, alongside Samuel L Jackson as Russell Franklin.

Despite the smaller role, Preacher was definitely a badass, and even got to deliver the first blow to the nightmarish super sharks.

LL Cool J almost drowned once, but he doesn't seem that fazed by it.
REUTERS / Alamy Stock Photo

While (spoiler alert) Sherman Preacher Dudley manages to survive the shark attack in the film, LL Cool J almost wasn't as lucky when a day on the film set went horribly wrong.

Advert

Speaking to Hot Ones this week, the 'Luv U Better' rapper explained how it all went down.

During the interview, host Sean Evans asked LL Cool J, real name James Todd Smith, if it was true that 'an animatronic shark's grasp on [his] left leg almost caused [him] to drown on the set of Deep Blue Sea."

LL Cool J replied: "A thousand per cent true. Facts. One hundred percent facts."

LL Cool J's time on the set of Deep Blue Sea almost went horribly wrong.
Everett Collection Inc / Alamy Stock Photo

Advert

He explained: "I was on the set - I was probably number 479 on the call sheet - I was in the middle of a take and then [they called] 'Lunch!', and the guy holding the little [shark] joystick goes..." - the rapper mimicked the crew member suddenly letting go of the equipment and dashing for lunch.

"They just bailed on me, and there I was. It was, like, real!"

When the rapper tried to get himself out of a sticky situation, he only made things worse.

"They gave me this little breathing apparatus, like something you blow out and then breathe in.

Advert

LL Cool J played research facility cook, Sherman 'Preacher' Dudley.
TCD/Prod.DB / Alamy Stock Photo

"I blew out, breathed in, all water! Took it to another level. I ended up struggling getting out."

Eventually, though, the rapper managed to free himself from the clutches of the mechanical shark's jaw and climb out of the tank.

"When I got out, climbed out, and there was one dude sitting there with a cigarette, like, 'I saw what happened.' So it was cool."

Advert

This experience sounds like a lot of things: Terrifying, deadly, genuinely concerning.

What it doesn't sound like, is cool.

Featured Image Credit: First We Feast/YouTube / Moviestore Collection Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo

Topics: Celebrity, Film and TV

Ali Condon
Ali Condon

Ali is a journalist for LADbible Group, writing on all things film, music, and entertainment across Tyla, LADbible and UNILAD. You can contact Ali at [email protected].

X

@alicondon

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

8 hours ago
12 hours ago
  • 8 hours ago

    Bruce Willis' daughter shares heartbreaking update on his condition amid dementia diagnosis

    Rumer Willis spoke about what she was thankful for in a heartfelt Father's Day post

    Celebrity
  • 8 hours ago

    Hugh Jackman reveals intense workout regime and fans are convinced it’s for one specific reason

    The Wolverine star shared a video in the gym as filming for the next Avengers film is underway

    Celebrity
  • 12 hours ago

    Artist Nezza says she’s 'banned' from singing at LA Dodgers stadium after performance of The Star-Spangled Banner

    Nezza was invited to perform the national anthem ahead of a baseball game over the weekend

    Celebrity
  • 12 hours ago

    Josh Duhamel, 52, gives insight into sex life with wife, 31, as he reveals surprisingly intimate detail

    The Transformers actor said taking testosterone has benefitted many aspects of his life.

    Celebrity
  • Tom Cruise reveals how he broke a world record in death-defying stunt skydiving with his parachute on fire
  • Isla Fisher reveals her final thought when she almost drowned after movie stunt went ‘horribly wrong’
  • Last Breath’s gripping dramatization of deep-sea diving accident is the best survival thriller in years
  • Wizard of Oz fans shocked after learning Judy Garland was drugged and actors almost died in horrific incidents on set