
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Acting • Born 1947-04-17
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.
Filmography
113 credits
Airplane!
Movie • 1980
Roger Murdock

I Tried
Movie • 2007
Sin

Game of Death
Movie • 1978
Hakim

The Iceman
Movie • 2023
Self

Bruce Lee: The Immortal Dragon
Movie • 1994
Self

How Bruce Lee Changed the World
Movie • 2009
Self

Stand
Movie • 2023
Self (archive footage)

Rebound: The Legend of Earl 'The Goat' Manigault
Movie • 1996
Self

Bruce Lee: A Warrior's Journey
Movie • 2000
Self

The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh
Movie • 1979
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

The GREATEST : Bruce Lee
Movie • 1998
Comentador

The Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear
Movie • 2010
Self

Black Patriots: Heroes of the Civil War
Movie • 2022
Self - Narrator (voice)

Bully Smart for Kids
Movie • 1995
Self

Los Angeles Lakers: '87 The Drive For Five
Movie • 1987
Himself

Los Angeles Lakers: 1984-1985 NBA Champions Return To Glory
Movie • 2007
Himself

O.J.: Made in America
Movie • 2016
Self (archive footage)

Forget Paris
Movie • 1995
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

All New Dazzling Dunks and Basketball Bloopers
Movie • 1990
Self (archive footage)

Bruce Lee in G.O.D.
Movie • 2000
Himself / Hakim

A Night to Die For
Movie • 1995
Self

The Game of Death
Movie • 1974
Hakim / Mantis

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Movie • 2022
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem: Minority of One
Movie • 2015
Self

Fletch
Movie • 1985
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Slam Dunk Ernest
Movie • 1995
Archangel

BASEketball
Movie • 1998
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Hoodwinked
Movie • 1989
Man at Sal's House

Troop Beverly Hills
Movie • 1989
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

D2: The Mighty Ducks
Movie • 1994
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

The Black List: Volume One
Movie • 2008
Self

Kobe Doin' Work
Movie • 2009
Self

Ask Max
Movie • 1986
Himself

Kobe Bryant's Muse
Movie • 2015
Self (archive footage)

Detroit Pistons: 1988-1989 NBA Champions - Motor City Madness
Movie • 1989
Self - Los Angeles Lakers

Be Water
Movie • 2020
Self - Student / Friend

The Curse of the Dragon
Movie • 1993
Self

On the Shoulders of Giants
Movie • 2011
Self - Narrator

1968
Movie • 2018
Self

Black Patriots: Heroes of the Revolution
Movie • 2020
Self - Narrator (voice)

The Journey of the African-American Athlete
Movie • 1996
Self

John Bronco
Movie • 2020
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Weapons
Movie • 2007
P.J.

Whitepaddy
Movie • 2006
Hank

A Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon Parks
Movie • 2021
Self

All-Star Rock 'N' Wrestling Saturday Spectacular
Movie • 1985
Self

Fight the Power: The Movements That Changed America
Movie • 2021
Self

Undefeated: The Roger Brown Story
Movie • 2013
Himself

Philadelphia 76ers 1983 - That Championship Feeling
Movie • 1991
Self

Saving OurSelves: BET COVID-19 Relief Effort
Movie • 2020
Self - Co-Host

John Candy: I Like Me
Movie • 2025
Self (archive footage)

Game of Death Redux
Movie • 2019
Mantis

Reflections on 'the Little Dragon'
Movie • 2001

Martin
TV • 1992
Dr. Skyhook

Tales from the Darkside
TV • 1984
The Djinn, Jan Bin Jan

Saved by the Bell: The New Class
TV • 1993
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

The Simpsons
TV • 1989
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (voice)

21 Jump Street
TV • 1987
Wesley Williams

The Critic
TV • 1994
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (voice)

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
TV • 1990
Himself

Everybody Loves Raymond
TV • 1996
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Diff'rent Strokes
TV • 1978
Mr. Wilkes

Mannix
TV • 1967

The Celebrity Apprentice
TV • 2004

Man from Atlantis
TV • 1977
Thark

Identity
TV • 2006

Full House
TV • 1987

Emergency!
TV • 1972

Stingray
TV • 1985

The Colbert Report
TV • 2005
Self

StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson
TV • 2015
Self

Amen
TV • 1986

The Stand
TV • 1994
Monster Shouter

Matrix
TV • 1993

Good Mythical Morning
TV • 2012
Self

DAVE
TV • 2020
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Bustin' Loose
TV • 1987

The Daily Show
TV • 1996
Self

The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien
TV • 2009
Self

The Oscars
TV • 1953
Self

Basketball: A Love Story
TV • 2018
Self (archive footage)

Basketball: A Love Story
TV • 2018
Self

Shut Up and Dribble
TV • 2018
Self (archive footage)

O.J.: Made in America
TV • 2016
Self (archive footage)

Good Sports
TV • 1991

New Girl
TV • 2011
Himself

Muhammad Ali
TV • 2021
Self

Dancing with the Stars
TV • 2005
Self - Contestant

Billions
TV • 2016
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Dear...
TV • 2020
Self

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
TV • 2014
Self

Beat Shazam
TV • 2017
Self

They Call Me Magic
TV • 2022
Self

The Jennifer Hudson Show
TV • 2022

Night Court
TV • 2023

Los Anillos de Pau
TV • 2024

The Jim Jefferies Show
TV • 2017
Self

Celebrity Family Feud
TV • 2015
Self

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
TV • 1962
Self

The Arsenio Hall Show
TV • 2013
Self

Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers
TV • 2022
Self

The Big Bang Theory
TV • 2007
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

To Tell the Truth
TV • 2016
Self - Panelist

Bill Russell: Legend
TV • 2023
Self - Basketball Hall of Fame

Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
TV • 2009
Self - Guest

The Crazy Ones
TV • 2013
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Fresh Off the Boat
TV • 2015
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Boston Common
TV • 1996
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Guys with Kids
TV • 2012
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

The Bachelorette
TV • 2003
Self

The Merv Griffin Show
TV • 1962
Self

Scrubs
TV • 2001
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

The Colbert Report
TV • 2005
Self (uncredited)