Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr. (born April 16, 1947) in New York City, grew up in the working-class neighborhood of Harlem in a family of Trinidadian descent, raised in the Catholic tradition and imbued with values such as honor and dignity. An only child, he was quickly marked by his exceptional height: from elementary school onward, he played with the tallest kids, and at fourteen, already over two meters (6'7"), he was able to dunk. His adolescence was punctuated by episodes of social confrontation and learning the art of street basketball, which forged his competitive spirit. Abdul-Jabbar distinguished himself early on at Power Memorial Academy, where he set records for points and rebounds, leading his team to 71 consecutive victories and three New York State high school championships. This period is unanimously recognized as one of the greatest high school basketball careers in history. In 1965, he entered UCLA under the tutelage of John Wooden and dominated the sport, winning three consecutive NCAA titles from 1967 to 1969 and being named the tournament MVP each time. His impact on the game was so significant that the NCAA temporarily banned the dunk during his time there. In 1969, Abdul-Jabbar was the first overall pick in the NBA draft and joined the Milwaukee Bucks. In his first season, he distinguished himself with impressive statistics (28.8 points, 14.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists) and was named Rookie of the Year. In 1971, he led the Bucks to the NBA title—the franchise's only championship—and won his first MVP award. It was also during this period that he converted to Islam, taking the name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, publicly affirming his spiritual choice at a time when American society was still experiencing significant racial tensions. Abdul-Jabbar then joined the Los Angeles Lakers, where his career reached legendary proportions. He won five more NBA titles, bringing his total to six, and accumulated six MVP awards. He participated in 19 All-Star Games, was a two-time league scoring champion, and holds the career scoring record (38,387 points). His accolades also include two Finals MVP awards and a multitude of individual and team accolades. He holds eight playoff records and seven All-Star Game records, and was named to the NBA's 35th and 50th Anniversary Teams. Technically, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar revolutionized basketball by inventing, perfecting, and popularizing the "sky hook," a unique move that no one has equaled: a curling arm shot, difficult to block and incredibly effective, which became his signature weapon. He is also recognizable by his protective goggles, which he adopted after an eye injury during his college years. His renown extends far beyond the world of sports: Abdul-Jabbar dedicated his life to the fight for civil rights and the promotion of African American culture, writing several books and regularly participating in public debate. Adored for his athletic achievements, respected for his strength of character and social activism, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar remains, for many, the greatest legend in basketball history—a champion with universal values and an icon whose influence endures far beyond the court.
Born: 17 April 1947
Played In
Jerry West: The Logo
Self
John Candy: I Like Me
Self (archive footage)
Los Anillos de Pau
The Final Game of Death
Mantis
The Luckiest Guy in the World
Self
The Iceman
Self
Bill Russell: Legend
Self - Basketball Hall of Fame
Stand
Self (archive footage)
Night Court
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
The Jennifer Hudson Show
Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers
Self
They Call Me Magic
Self
Black Patriots: Heroes of the Civil War
Self - Narrator (voice)
Muhammad Ali
Self
Fight the Power: The Movements That Changed America
Self
A Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon Parks
Self
John Bronco
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Dear...
Self
Saving OurSelves: BET COVID-19 Relief Effort
Self - Co-Host
DAVE
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Black Patriots: Heroes of the Revolution
Self - Narrator (voice)
Be Water
Self - Student / Friend
Game of Death Redux
Mantis
Shut Up and Dribble
Self (archive footage)
Basketball: A Love Story
Self (archive footage)
Basketball: A Love Story
Self
1968
Self
The Jim Jefferies Show
Self
Beat Shazam
Self
To Tell the Truth
Self - Panelist
O.J.: Made in America
Self (archive footage)
O.J.: Made in America
Self (archive footage)
Billions
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem: Minority of One
Self
Celebrity Family Feud
Self
StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson
Self
Kobe Bryant's Muse
Self (archive footage)
Fresh Off the Boat
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Self
The Crazy Ones
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
The Arsenio Hall Show
Self
Undefeated: The Roger Brown Story
Himself
Guys with Kids
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Good Mythical Morning
Self
New Girl
Himself
On the Shoulders of Giants
Self - Narrator
The Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear
Self
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
Self - Guest
The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien
Self
How Bruce Lee Changed the World
Self
Kobe Doin' Work
Self
The Black List: Volume One
Self
I Tried
Sin
The Big Bang Theory
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Los Angeles Lakers: 1984-1985 NBA Champions Return To Glory
Himself
Weapons
P.J.
Identity
Whitepaddy
Hank
The Colbert Report
Self
The Colbert Report
Self (uncredited)
Dancing with the Stars
Self - Contestant
The Celebrity Apprentice
The Bachelorette
Self
The Unbeatable Bruce Lee
Scrubs
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Reflections on 'the Little Dragon'
Bruce Lee in G.O.D.
Himself / Hakim
Bruce Lee: A Warrior's Journey
Self
The GREATEST : Bruce Lee
Comentador
BASEketball
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Rebound: The Legend of Earl 'The Goat' Manigault
Self
Everybody Loves Raymond
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
The Daily Show
Self
Boston Common
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
The Journey of the African-American Athlete
Self
Bully Smart for Kids
Self
Slam Dunk Ernest
Archangel
Forget Paris
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
A Night to Die For
Self
The Stand
Monster Shouter
D2: The Mighty Ducks
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
The Critic
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (voice)
Bruce Lee: The Immortal Dragon
Self
Saved by the Bell: The New Class
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Late Show with David Letterman
Self
The Curse of the Dragon
Self
Matrix
Martin
Dr. Skyhook
Philadelphia 76ers 1983 - That Championship Feeling
Self
Good Sports
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
All New Dazzling Dunks and Basketball Bloopers
Self (archive footage)
The Simpsons
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (voice)
Hoodwinked
Man at Sal's House
Detroit Pistons: 1988-1989 NBA Champions - Motor City Madness
Self - Los Angeles Lakers
Troop Beverly Hills
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Los Angeles Lakers: '87 The Drive For Five
Himself
Bustin' Loose
Full House
21 Jump Street
Wesley Williams
Ask Max
Himself
Amen
All-Star Rock 'N' Wrestling Saturday Spectacular
Self
Stingray
Fletch
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Tales from the Darkside
The Djinn, Jan Bin Jan
Airplane!
Roger Murdock
The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
The Visitor
Basketball player (uncredited)
Diff'rent Strokes
Mr. Wilkes
Game of Death
Hakim
Man from Atlantis
Thark
The Game of Death
Hakim / Mantis
Emergency!
Mannix
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Self
The Merv Griffin Show
Self
The Oscars
Self