LL Cool J Puts Burglary Suspect In Hospital

LL Cool J is not likely to face criminal charges after breaking the nose, jaw and ribs of a burglar who attempted to rob his Los Angeles house early Wednesday morning. According to law enforcement officials, it appears the rapper/actor acted in self-defense.

LL Cool J, 44, was upstairs in his home when he heard the alleged burglar, James Kirby, 56, in his kitchen. A physical altercation ensued and police arrived at 1 a.m. Wednesday morning, shortly after LL Cool J had subdued the burglar.

Kirby has an extensive criminal record and was released from prison on Feb. 1. He could face up to 38 years in state prison. Bail has been posted at $1.1 million.

A representative for LL Cool J, born James Todd Smith, released the following statement: "LL Cool J, and his family, are safe and thank everyone for their thoughts and concern. As a father, husband and citizen, he is committed to keeping his family safe and is cooperating with authorities on this private matter."

With the release of his 1985 album, Radio, LL Cool J, which stands for Ladies Love Cool James, went on to become one of the top-selling artists of the ‘80s and ‘90s. He has also acted in a number of high profile films such as Deep Blue Sea, Any Given Sunday and S.W.A.T. He currently stars as Special Agent Sam Hanna on the CBS show NCIS: Los Angeles, also starring Chris O'Donnell, Peter Cambor, Daniela Ruah, Adam Jamal Craig and Linda Hunt.

It looks like the action star’s training came in handy, for, despite having delivered a number of heavy blows that left Kirby in the hospital, LL Cool J was not injured in the altercation. –Hal Sundt