LL Cool J proud to play a Navy SEAL on "NCIS"
LL Cool J is known for many things. He's an author, rapper and fashion designer. But he's most notably agent Sam Hanna on the CBS smash hit "NCIS: Los Angeles."
What can fans expect from his character in the last two episodes of the season?
"It's going to be a shocker," LL Cool J said. "I mean, you know, that's for sure."
But the star says the thing he loves most about his job is playing a former Navy SEAL, the arm of the armed forces now known to be responsible for killing Osama bin Laden.
Special Report: The killing of Osama bin Laden
He said, "You think of everything that's going on, it shows you how, you know, amazing it is for me to be able to bring a character like this to life and play a hero when there's so many real life heroes out there, you know?"
"Early Show" co-anchor Chris Wragge told the star, "You sit back and you see what's going on. You're from Queens. Like any of us in this area with what happened on 9/11, you take it personally."
LL Cool J responded, "You take it very personally. ... We have to stick together. And we have to protect our country. These are good times for America. It was the best of times; it was the worst of times, right?"
Wragge asked, "When you first heard that the U.S. had got them - you saw the celebrations in the street here in New York - what did you -- I mean, is there a party that wants to get out there and join in on the fun? I mean, it's, you know, a good time for people for once there's been so much tragedy."
"The first thing that popped in my mind was checkmate," LL Cool J said. "You know, reset, new game on. But different game, different players. I think this is an important time. And I'm just happy that, you know, our guy over there in the White House was able to make this thing happen."
Wragge noted the actor met and studied Navy SEALS and marines for this role. LL Cool J was so inspired by their service and his TV show that he wrote a song about the experience called "NCIS: No Crew Is Superior."
LL Cool J explained, "I went down to Camp Pendleton and met with Marines, some Navy guys, special ops guys. These are people that put their lives on the line every day. And you know, to just sit there and listen to their stories and see how dedicated and committed they are to preserve and protect democracy, and risk their lives for you and me is a big thing. It makes you feel good and proud."
Wragge said, "You work a hard day and say, 'It's nothing like what they do.'"
LL Cool J joked, "Yeah. They don't say cut when a guy is running at you with a bomb strapped to his chest. Cut! No. Boom, you know what I mean! Can't say 'cut.'"
So is there anything left for LL Cool J to conquer?
"Dreams don't have deadlines," LL Cool J said. "... I'm thinking of doing bigger and better things and having more fun with it."
Recently, the star became an ambassador for a cologne called Gendarme Cologne.
"You're a man of style," LL Cool J said to Wragge. "I brought you a bottle. I heard you're a man of style. You might have to smell that."
Wragge joked, "It's one of the -- one of my dreams. To smell like LL Cool J. I'll get closer to your vibe."
LL Cool J said, "It's not a bad dream. It'll get close to your vibe. You'll see."
As for music, the rapper said he's not thinking about getting back in the studio just yet. He is, however, performing on June 10 in Atlantic City's House of Blues. And on June 25, he'll be performing in Detroit at the Chene Park Riverfront Amphitheater.
For more cologne antics on "The Early Show" make sure you check out the video featured below.