Jonathan Daviss has been paid the ultimate compliment by Snoop Dogg’s four children as he prepares to play the iconic rapper in a biopic set to come out next year.
The “Outer Banks” star spoke on TODAY Aug. 18 about embodying Snoop Dogg while also bearing a strong physical resemblance to the younger version of the 54-year-old entertainer.
“I’ve been with his kids and they’re like, ‘I feel I’m talking to my dad,’” Daviss said.
The biopic, titled “Snoop,” is scheduled to hit theaters on Aug. 6, 2027, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The rapper and beloved NBC Olympic commentator told Entertainment Tonight in June 2025 that the movie will follow his journey from adolescent struggles to rap stardom in the ‘90s, plus his relationship with wife Shante Broadus.
Daviss, 26, who was interviewed alongside “Outer Banks” castmates Chase Stokes and Drew Starkey on TODAY, also spoke about the intimidating audition process. He had to do his interpretation of Snoop Dogg with the rapper in the room.
“Terrifying,” Daviss said. “He’s sitting over there watching, and I’m like, ‘All right, I hope I’m doing this right.’ But he was so hands on and so open during that audition process, he really made me feel comfortable, like I could go all the way there. He gave me a lot of pointers, so really excited about that.”
Daviss and Snoop Dogg appeared onstage together at CinemaCon 2026 in Las Vegas in April to promote the biopic. Daviss wore a flannel shirt similar to the one the rapper wore in his iconic video for the 1993 hit “Who Am I (What’s My Name?).” The actor also had on a T-shirt featuring the cover of Snoop Dogg’s classic first solo album, “Doggstyle.”
Daviss experienced a surreal moment during his time at CinemaCon when he had dinner with Snoop Dogg and legendary actor Robert DeNiro. The photo was shared on Instagram by Death Row Pictures, which is helming the project as part of its overall deal with NBCUniversal Entertainment & Studios. (NBCUniversal is the parent company of TODAY)
“Coolest picture of my life,” Daviss said on TODAY.
“That’s the craziest thing I’ve ever seen,” Stokes added.
“We’re at Nobu with Robert DeNiro,” Daviss said. “I never guessed that in my life. I’m with The Godfather and Tha Doggfather.”
Snoop Dogg spoke with Entertainment Tonight in 2025 about choosing Daviss for the role in the biopic.
“He’s the whole thing,” the rapper said. “He’s a dynamic actor, he’s a great spirit, and he’s a learner. It’s just a beautiful thing to be able to find somebody that can actually do justice to you while you’re still here and able to see.”
“He’s an icon,” Daviss told Entertainment Tonight. “I really wanted to get down to who he was as a person, a loving person, and why people gravitate towards him and what that is about him, and it’s been amazing just getting to explore that as an actor. I can wait for y’all to see what we do.”
