45°
The hip hop artist, reality TV star and reverend was born Nov. 14, 1964 and turns 52 on Sunday.
Joseph Ward Simmons lives in Saddle River and is a founding member of the hip hop group Run-D.M.C. He is also a practicing minister, known as Rev. Run.
He was born in Queens, N.Y. and is the younger brother of artist Danny Simmons and Russell Simmons, the co-founder of Def Jam Records.
He found new popularity on reality television, starring in DIY's "Rev Run's Sunday Suppers," and "Rev Run's Renovation," which were shot at his Saddle River mansion, and MTV's "Run's House," 2005-09, also shot there in part.
Before Run-D.M.C., Simmons was the lead vocalist in the hip-hop group called "The Force." He founded Run-D.M.C. as a lead vocalist along with friend Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels and the late DJ Jason "Jam-Master Jay" Mizell.
Run began using the stage name of "Rev. Run" after he was ordained as a Pentecostal minister by E. Bernard Jordan, Simmons's spiritual mentor.
His first work as Rev. Run was a feature in the single "Song 4 Lovers" by UK pop band Liberty X in September 2005.
It was followed by his first solo album, "Distortion." The first single from the album, "Mind on the Road", is featured in the EA Sports Madden NFL 06 video game.
He appeared on a special "Rap Stars" edition of "The Weakest Link" in 2002 and was the third one voted off.
He appeared with his son Diggy Simmons on "My Super Sweet 16" in 2007 while attending a 16th birthday party for Sean John Combs P. Diddy's son, Quincy. Diddy was also the producer of "Run's House."
He is married with three children.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Northern Highlands and receive free news updates.
