Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Acting
Born: April 17, 1947 (age 79) · Harlem, New York City, New York, USA
Highest Rated
Biography
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.
Known for
The Big Bang Theory
2007
The Simpsons
1989
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
2022
Airplane!
1980
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
1990
New Girl
2011
Full House
1987
Billions
2016
Fletch
1985
Game of Death
1978
Veronica Mars
2004
D2: The Mighty Ducks
1994
Photos (6)
Movies (22)
Airplane!
Roger Murdock
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Game of Death
Hakim
D2: The Mighty Ducks
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Fletch
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
BASEketball
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Troop Beverly Hills
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
The Visitor
Basketball player (uncredited)
John Bronco
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Forget Paris
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Slam Dunk Ernest
Archangel
The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
I Tried
Sin
Hoodwinked
Man at Sal's House
Whitepaddy
Hank
The Unbeatable Bruce Lee
2001
Reflections on 'the Little Dragon'
2001
Weapons
P.J.
The Final Game of Death
Mantis
Game of Death Redux
Mantis
The GREATEST : Bruce Lee
Comentador
The Game of Death
Hakim / Mantis
TV Shows (31)
The Simpsons
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (voice) · 1 eps
The Jennifer Hudson Show
1 eps
Billions
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar · 1 eps
Full House
1 eps
Scrubs
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar · 1 eps
The Big Bang Theory
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar · 1 eps
Everybody Loves Raymond
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar · 1 eps
21 Jump Street
Wesley Williams · 1 eps
Mannix
1 eps
Tales from the Darkside
The Djinn, Jan Bin Jan · 1 eps
Fresh Off the Boat
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar · 1 eps
Emergency!
1 eps
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar · 1 eps
Martin
Dr. Skyhook · 1 eps
The Celebrity Apprentice
1 eps
Saved by the Bell: The New Class
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar · 1 eps
DAVE
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar · 1 eps
The Stand
Monster Shouter · 2 eps
Night Court
1 eps
The Critic
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (voice) · 2 eps
Amen
1 eps
Man from Atlantis
Thark · 1 eps
The Crazy Ones
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar · 1 eps
Boston Common
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar · 1 eps
Stingray
1 eps
Bustin' Loose
1 eps
Guys with Kids
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar · 2 eps
Good Sports
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar · 1 eps
Matrix
1 eps
Diff'rent Strokes
Mr. Wilkes · 2 eps
Los Anillos de Pau
1 eps
Self / Appearances (63)
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
Self - Guest · 1 eps
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Self · 1 eps
The Daily Show
Self · 3 eps
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Self · 1 eps
Late Show with David Letterman
Self · 1 eps
Good Mythical Morning
Self · 1 eps
New Girl
Himself · 1 eps
The Colbert Report
Self · 2 eps
The Colbert Report
Self (uncredited) · 1 eps
Dancing with the Stars
Self - Contestant · 2 eps
The Merv Griffin Show
Self · 1 eps
The Oscars
Self · 1 eps
Celebrity Family Feud
Self · 1 eps
To Tell the Truth
Self - Panelist · 1 eps
The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien
Self · 1 eps
Beat Shazam
Self · 1 eps
Basketball: A Love Story
Self (archive footage) · 1 eps
Basketball: A Love Story
Self · 2 eps
StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson
Self · 1 eps
The Bachelorette
Self · 1 eps
The Arsenio Hall Show
Self · 1 eps
John Candy: I Like Me
Self (archive footage)
The Jim Jefferies Show
Self · 1 eps
Dear...
Self · 1 eps
They Call Me Magic
Self · 4 eps
Shut Up and Dribble
Self (archive footage) · 1 eps
O.J.: Made in America
Self (archive footage) · 1 eps
Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers
Self · 10 eps
Jerry West: The Logo
Self / Self (Archive Footage)
Bill Russell: Legend
Self - Basketball Hall of Fame · 2 eps
Muhammad Ali
Self · 4 eps
How Bruce Lee Changed the World
Self
O.J.: Made in America
Self (archive footage)
Bruce Lee: A Warrior's Journey
Self
Be Water
Self - Student / Friend
Rebound: The Legend of Earl 'The Goat' Manigault
Self
The Luckiest Guy in the World
Self · 4 eps
Kareem: Minority of One
Self
Kobe Bryant's Muse
Self (archive footage)
The Best of the Martial Arts Films
Self
The Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear
Self
Stand
Self (archive footage)
The Curse of the Dragon
Self
Kobe Doin' Work
Self
On the Shoulders of Giants
Self - Narrator
The Iceman
Self
The Journey of the African-American Athlete
Self
Black Patriots: Heroes of the Revolution
Self - Narrator (voice)
A Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon Parks
Self
1968
Self
Bully Smart for Kids
Self
All New Dazzling Dunks and Basketball Bloopers
Self (archive footage)
Bruce Lee: The Immortal Dragon
Self
Detroit Pistons: 1988-1989 NBA Champions - Motor City Madness
Self - Los Angeles Lakers
Bruce Lee in G.O.D.
Himself / Hakim
Black Patriots: Heroes of the Civil War
Self - Narrator (voice)
Philadelphia 76ers 1983 - That Championship Feeling
Self
The Black List: Volume One
Self
Ask Max
Himself
Los Angeles Lakers: '87 The Drive For Five
Himself
A Night to Die For
Self
Los Angeles Lakers 1982 NBA Champions - Something to Prove
Himself
Undefeated: The Roger Brown Story
Himself
