Born in New York City back in 1947, Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor—better known as Lew Alcindor—was always towering over others. Even before stepping foot into high school, he already stood an impressive 6 feet 8 inches tall. His early dominance on the court was clear: his high school team wrapped up an incredible 79-2 record, including a jaw-dropping 71-game winning streak. Now, while NCAA rules at the time didn’t allow freshmen to play in official games, Alcindor still made waves—leading UCLA’s freshman squad to a victory over the varsity team that would go on to win the National Championship. That moment really set the stage for what became a legendary college career.
Under Alcindor’s leadership, UCLA achieved something no one had done before: three straight National Championships. Over those years, the team posted a near-perfect 88-2 record, and Alcindor himself earned his Bachelor of Arts in History. It was around this time that significant personal changes began shaping his path. In 1968, Alcindor converted to Islam, embracing a new identity that would soon become widely recognized. Then, in 1969, he was selected first overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA draft—an expected move given his dominance.
Alcindor didn’t take long to make his mark in the pros. By his second season, he claimed his first NBA MVP award and powered the Bucks to their very first NBA Championship, earning Finals MVP honors in the process. And just one day after that historic win, he publicly adopted his new name: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. This wasn’t just a change in name—it symbolized a deeper transformation. Around the same time, Abdul-Jabbar stepped into Hollywood with his debut acting role on the popular CBS detective series Mannix (1967–1975), marking the beginning of another dimension to his public presence.
In 1975, Abdul-Jabbar was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, a move that would redefine NBA history. Two years later, in 1979, Magic Johnson joined the team, and together they sparked what many call the Showtime era—a golden age for the Lakers. The duo reached the NBA Finals eight times and captured five championships. Abdul-Jabbar added to his legacy in 1980 by securing his record-setting sixth NBA MVP award, further cementing his status as one of the game’s all-time greats.
Even as he dominated on the hardwood, Abdul-Jabbar kept exploring creative outlets. He made occasional appearances in film and television, most memorably in the hilarious spoof Airplane! (1980), where his deadpan delivery stole scenes despite limited screen time. When he finally retired in 1989 after two decades in professional basketball, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was widely regarded as the greatest player the sport had ever seen.
But retirement didn’t slow him down. Abdul-Jabbar channeled his voice into writing and activism, particularly focusing on racial justice and African American history. In 1986, he published Black Profiles in Courage: A Legacy of African-American Achievement, a powerful tribute to unsung heroes. He also co-authored a series of novels featuring Mycroft Holmes, including Mycroft Holmes and Mycroft and Sherlock Holmes, reimagining the famous literary universe through a fresh lens.
Abdul-Jabbar’s storytelling extended beyond books. He produced and directed the documentary On the Shoulders of Giants (2011), which spotlighted the remarkable but often forgotten Harlem Rens, a pioneering African American basketball team from the 1930s. Then, in 2018, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar took on yet another role—screenwriter—joining the team behind the revival of Veronica Mars on The CW.
Throughout it all, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has remained a towering figure—not just because of his height or athletic prowess, but because of his enduring impact across sports, culture, and social discourse. From Alcindor to Abdul-Jabbar, his journey reflects growth, purpose, and an unrelenting commitment to excellence.
So, when it comes to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s film appearances, there’s quite a range in terms of critical reception. You know, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has had a few roles over the years, but if we’re talking about his highest rated movie, that would definitely be Airplane! from 1980. It’s a classic comedy, and honestly, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s cameo in it was pretty memorable—even though he wasn’t the main focus, his presence added a fun touch. On the flip side, looking at Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s more recent work, his lowest rated film seems to be John Bronco from 2020. The reviews weren’t exactly glowing for that one, and let’s just say it didn’t make the same kind of impact as Airplane!. Overall, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s journey through Hollywood has had its highs and lows, but hey, not many can boast being part of a cult favorite like Airplane!.