James Todd Smith (born January 14, 1968), better known as LL Cool J, is an American rapper and actor. He is known for romantic ballads such as "I Need Love", "Around the Way Girl" and "Hey Lover" as well as pioneering hip-hop such as "I Can't Live Without My Radio", "I'm Bad", "The Boomin' System", and "Mama Said Knock You Out". He has released twelve studio albums and two greatest hits compilations, with his final album being 2008's Exit 13, the last for his record deal with Def Jam Recordings. He has also appeared in numerous films, and stars as Special Agent Sam Hanna on the CBS crime drama television series, NCIS: Los Angeles. He now lives in Manhasset, New York, with his wife and four children.
He appears in "If I'm Dyin', I'm Lyin'" as one of the celebrity squares on Hollywood Squares.