Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Biography
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, originally named Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr., was born on April 17, 1947. He is a retired American basketball player who had an illustrious career spanning two decades in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Abdul-Jabbar showcased his talent while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks and later the Los Angeles Lakers. Renowned for his exceptional skills, he has been hailed as the greatest basketball player of all time by esteemed figures such as NBA coach Pat Riley and fellow players Isiah Thomas and Julius Erving.
Beyond his basketball achievements, Abdul-Jabbar has ventured into various fields. He has made appearances in films, served as a basketball coach, authored several best-selling books, and is also a martial artist. Notably, he trained in Jeet Kune Do under the legendary Bruce Lee, further highlighting his diverse interests and talents. Abdul-Jabbar's contributions to basketball and culture extend well beyond the court, making him a multifaceted figure in American sports history.
Filmography
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Kobe Bryant's Muse
2015 • Self (archive footage)
How Bruce Lee Changed the World
2009 • Self
Slam Dunk Ernest
1995 • Archangel
John Bronco
2020 • Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Bruce Lee: A Warrior's Journey
2000 • Self
The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh
1979 • Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Game of Death
1978 • Hakim
Black Patriots: Heroes of the Civil War
2022 • Self - Narrator (voice)
Kobe Doin' Work
2009 • Self
Rebound: The Legend of Earl 'The Goat' Manigault
1996
Kareem: Minority of One
2015 • Self
Be Water
2020 • Self - Student / Friend
The Iceman (2023)
2023 • Self
On the Shoulders of Giants
2011 • Self - Narrator
A Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon Parks
2021 • Self
I Tried
2007
Troop Beverly Hills
1989
Airplane!
1980 • Roger Murdock
They Call Me Magic
2022 • Self
Bill Russell: Legend
2023
Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers
2022 • Self