Los Angeles Lakers icon and five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant died Sunday in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. An investigation into the crash that killed all nine people on board, including Bryant, 41, and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, is ongoing, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
From Wikipedia:
Kobe Bean Bryant (August 23, 1978 – January 26, 2020) was an American professional basketball player. A shooting guard, Bryant entered the National Basketball Association (NBA) directly from high school, and played his entire 20-season professional career in the league with the Los Angeles Lakers. Bryant won five NBA championships, was an 18-time All-Star, 15-time member of the All-NBA Team, 12-time member of the All-Defensive Team, was named the 2008 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP), and was a two-time NBA Finals MVP winner. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, he led the NBA in scoring during two seasons, ranks fourth on the league's all-time regular season scoring, and ranks fourth on the all-time postseason scoring list.
At 34 years and 104 days of age, Bryant became the youngest player in league history to reach 30,000 career points. He became the all-time leading scorer in Lakers franchise history on February 1, 2010, surpassing Jerry West. Bryant was also the first guard in NBA history to play at least 20 seasons. His 18 All-Star designations are the second most all time, while it is the record for most consecutive appearances as a starter. Bryant's four All-Star MVP Awards are tied with Bob Pettit for the most in NBA history. At the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics, he won two gold medals as a member of the U.S. national team. In 2018, he won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film for his film, Dear Basketball (2017).
Bryant died on January 26, 2020, in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. Eight others, including his 13-year-old daughter Gianna Bryant, and college baseball coach John Altobelli, were also killed.
I’m not a basketball fan, but I certainly knew of Kobe, the highs but also the lows. That rape claim caught my notice, which basketball accolades never could. And I did know of the Oscar win as well.
So sadly, I might never have even thought to research his qualifications for membership in the Television Crossover Hall of Fame had it not been for his death. I couldn’t use his game footage, news reports, talk show appearances. But I figured if he showed up in any TV show as his fictional televersion, it might be ‘Arli$$’. So off to IMDb I went.
He definitely deserves to be in the Hall.
Here are the roles which qualified him:
- What About the Fans? (1996)
From the IMDB:
Arliss gets an offer he can't refuse: find a new home for the L.A. Kings hockey team and become their part-owner. Will it be Raleigh, North Carolina, Las Vegas or New Mexico?
Sister, Sister
- Kid-Napped (1996)
From the IMDb:
A new girl's popularity drives Tia and Tamera to pull strings. Playing himself, Bryant-as-a-character shot a commercial for popular girl Rhonda's father. He also had a line about loving waffles, because reasons.
- The Hustlers (1997)
From the IMDb:
In California, Julie and Teddy are the only ones practicing; the rest of the team goes with Mary Beth to watch for celebrities at their hotel. Julie and Teddy are targeted by professional basketball hustlers. Vince finds Mel Gibson's wallet.
In the House
- Men in the Black (1997)
From the IMDb:
When Marion dates a construction boss, the clinic's decor improves. Tonia attracts attention with her new appearance. Basketball players DEREK FISHER and KOBE BRYANT guest star.
- I Love This Game (2000)
From the IMDb:
Bette's attempts to score Lakers tickets at the last minute for her husband's birthday hardly go off without a hitch.
Modern Family
- Family Portrait (2010)
From the IMDb:
Claire goes through great lengths to organize a family portrait. Gloria and Phil have an awkward moment while taking Manny and Alex to a Lakers game. Cameron becomes a wedding singer, and Jay has to help Luke with a school project.
And he even had a presence in the Tooniverse.
The Proud Family
- One in a Million (2003)
From the IMDb:
Penny wins a chance to shoot a half court shot at a basketball game for one million dollars. Oscar convinces her to let him make the shot to make good on a high school dream.
I’m sorry for the reason you’re being inducted now, Kobe. I wish it had been for a happier occasion – like your eventual induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame. But welcome to the Hall. Kareem Abdul Jabar is already here so you could get a game of Horse going in the gym.
And my condolences to all the family and friends of the other victims.
Man what a loss. They can rock the throne room now. Praise Jesus!
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