Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Known for ActingBorn 1947-04-17 (age 79)Harlem, New York City, New York, USA

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.Read more

Movies & web series

The Journey of the African-American Athlete

The Final Game of Death

The Vernon Johns Story

O.J.: Made in America

The Unbeatable Bruce Lee

O.J.: Made in America

Muhammad Ali

Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers

Black Patriots: Heroes of the Revolution

Scrubs

John Candy: I Like Me

How Bruce Lee Changed the World

The Big Bang Theory

Kobe Bryant's Muse

Billions

The Simpsons

Celebrity Family Feud

Veronica Mars

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Los Anillos de Pau

The GREATEST : Bruce Lee

Emergency!

Whitepaddy

DAVE

Basketball: A Love Story

New Girl

Martin

Bill Russell: Legend

I Tried

They Call Me Magic

Full House

Kareem: Minority of One

Fresh Off the Boat

Bruce Lee: A Warrior's Journey

The Critic

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

Black Patriots: Heroes of the Civil War

The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

21 Jump Street

The Curse of the Dragon

Airplane!

Rebound: The Legend of Earl 'The Goat' Manigault

Tales from the Darkside

Stingray

A Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon Parks

Identity

Good Mythical Morning