Entertainment
From Charmed to Kenan and Kel and Celebrity Big Brother: Coolio had a really wild and unexpected TV career-Ruth Lawes-Entertainment – Metro
Coolio also appeared in Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Joey.
Coolio made many appearances on the small screen (Picture: Getty Images)
The late Coolio was not only an iconic rapper, and creator of anthem Gangsta’s Paradise, but also had an impressive TV career.
The performer, whose real name was Artis Leon Ivey Jr, died at the age of 59 at a friend’s house, his manager Sheila Finegan told TMZ.
Coolio’s cause of death has not been confirmed, but Finegan, from Trinity Artists International, said paramedics believe he may have suffered a cardiac arrest.
While his career began in LA in the 1980s, Coolio shot to fame in the 90s when Gangsta’s Paradise was used as the soundtrack of 90s Michelle Pfeiffer movie Dangerous Minds,
As well as winning a Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance and selling millions of copies worldwide, Coolio also boasted a distinguished – and varied – television CV.
Coolio’s first onscreen appearance on the small screen was in an episode of sitcom The Parent ‘Hood in the role of The Gangster in 1995.
A year later, Coolio was cast in an episode of drama Sabrina the Teenage Witch, which saw an American teenager, played by Melissa Joan Hart, discover she has magic powers and learning how to harness them.
Coolio’s next TV gig was for buddy comedy Kenan & Kel, which followed two friends who go on a number of misadventures.
While he didn’t star in the legendary series, the producer penned its theme tune, with some fans calling it his ‘most underrated contribution’ to culture.
Coolio came in third place on CBB (Picture: Shutterstock)
Clocking up more appearances, sometimes as himself or in character, in shows like The Nanny and Malcom & Eddie, Coolio then ventured into voice acting on Futurama, created by The Simpsons’ Matt Groening.
In 2002, the icon bagged a role as a Lazarus Demon in fantasy drama Charmed about a trio of sisters, who are secret witches.
Coolio was a cultural icon (Picture: Getty Images)
The episode, titled Marry-Go-Round, Coolio’s spooky characters threatens Phoebe’s (Alyssa Milano) wedding to Cole (Julian McMahon).
Paying tribute to the star on Instagram, Alyssa wrote: ‘Coolio played a demon on Charmed. He was kind, funny, professional and of course—so talented. Gone too soon.’
Other shows featuring Coolio include a 2005 episode of Friends’ spin-off Joey, based on Matt LeBlanc’s character, and Teachers.
Outside of drama, Coolio appeared on dare game show Celebrity Fear Factor, which saw contestants try and outdo each other with stunts, alongside Joe Rogan in 2001.
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The rapper also moved into the Big Brother House for the sixth season of Celebrity Big Brother in the UK, aired in 2009.
Coolio came in third place on the long-running reality show in a line-up that also included Ulrika Jonsson, Mutya Buena and Tina Malone.
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