For most people, their introduction to LL Cool J came when he was a New York City rapper trying to climb to superstar status. But for the younger crowd, their introduction came when he joined the cast of NCIS in 2009.
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LL Cool J Explains Why His 'NCIS' Role Still Surprises Him
However, despite his extensive run with NCIS, LL Cool J says that the role still doesn't feel "natural" for him. He and the writers are always "exploring" things for his character each season.
"We're still finding new things and exploring new things. And being introduced to new aspects of the character," LL Cool J said in an exclusive with PEOPLE on Thursday (October 1). "So natural in the sense that I know who Sam is, but still new in the sense that I'm still being surprised every day."
Before appearing on the hit CBS program, LL appeared in other well-known productions. Such as In The House, Deep Blue Sea, and Deliver Us From Eva. Still after an extensive career on the big screen, the actor admits that he is still learning.
"Life is about learning, right? ... If you're not getting better, you're getting worse, right?" LL added. "And so, you know, like the real gift is like reading one book for four or five years straight. Because you learn more. That's how you become a black belt in a specific book. As opposed to reading it once and putting it down, right?"
Now LL will transition from a supporting role for the franchise to a starring one. In his next act, Cool J's character Sam will head back to his hometown of New York City to join a new investigation team.
The actor says that his playing Sam has also contributed to his willingness to learn in his own life.
By playing this character and watching this human being go through all of these various, you know, peaks, valleys, and everything in between, [you] learn more about yourself. You know what I'm saying? That's life," he concluded.
NCIS: New York premieres on CBS on Tuesday (October 6). For most people, their introduction to LL Cool J came when he was a New York City rapper trying to climb to superstar status. But for the younger crowd, their introduction came when he joined the cast of NCIS in 2009.
LL Cool J Explains Why His 'NCIS' Role Still Surprises Him
However, despite his extensive run with NCIS, LL Cool J says that the role still doesn't feel "natural" for him. He and the writers are always "exploring" things for his character each season.
"We're still finding new things and exploring new things and being introduced to new aspects of the character," LL Cool J said in an exclusive with PEOPLE on Thursday (October 1). "So natural in the sense that I know who Sam is, but still new in the sense that I'm still being surprised every day."
Before appearing on the hit CBS program, LL appeared in other well-known productions like In The House, Deep Blue Sea, and Deliver Us From Eva. Still after an extensive career on the big screen, the actor admits that he is still learning.
"Life is about learning, right? ... If you're not getting better, you're getting worse, right?" LL added. "And so, you know, like the real gift is like reading one book for four or five years straight because you learn more. That's how you become a black belt in a specific book as opposed to reading it once and putting it down, right?"
Now LL will transition from a supporting role for the franchise to a starring one. In his next act, Cool J's character Sam will head back to his hometown of New York City. To join a new investigation team.
The actor says that his playing Sam has also contributed to his willingness to learn in his own life.
By playing this character and watching this human being go through all of these various, you know, peaks, valleys, and everything in between, [you] learn more about yourself. You know what I'm saying? That's life," he concluded.
NCIS: New York premieres on CBS on Tuesday (October 6).
