HBO Max's sports drama series Winning Time: Rise of the Lakers Dynasty wouldn't be complete without exploring NBA All-Star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's acting career. Winning Time focuses mainly on the sensationalist aspects of behind the Los Angeles Lakers' revitalizing "Showtime" period of fame, which Abdul-Jabbar was integral to. One of the greatest basketball players in the history of the sport, it is fascinating how involved and successful Abdul-Jabbar was in film and television.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had already proven his talent before joining the Lakers; after a record-setting collegiate career, Abdul-Jabbar had joined the Milwaukee Bucks, where he was awarded Rookie of the Year followed by three Most Valuable Player recognitions. In 1975, Abdul-Jabbar left the Bucks for the Lakers, quickly turning the struggling team into one of the best in the National Basketball Association. Over his fourteen years with the Lakers, Abdul-Jabbar set NBA records for most career points scored, most field-goals made, and most games won, in addition to bringing his total MVP award count to 6, an unparalleled achievement. As a result, ESPN deemed Abdul-Jabbar the best center in basketball history, as well as the second-best player of all time after Michael Jordan.
Despite his athletic prowess, Abdul-Jabbar did not limit himself to the basketball court. Instead, he expanded his skillset, which included studying the martial art Jeet Kune Do under the martial arts master and movie star Bruce Lee. Abdul-Jabbar's training under Lee lead to his appearance in Lee's final film, Game of Death, in which Abdul-Jabbar appears as an antagonist and fights Lee. Abdul-Jabbar would proceed to appear in bit parts on various comedy series before landing the role of pilot Roger Murdock in the parody film Airplane! Considered one of the basketball player's most notable roles, Murdock is eventually revealed to be Abdul-Jabbar in disguise, one of the most effective fourth-wall breaking scenes in the film.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's acting career has continued on to the present. He has appeared as various versions of himself across dozens of televisions series and movies, including The Big Bang Theory, The Simpsons, and comedy films Fletch and BASEketball. Abdul-Jabbar has been known to take on different characters as well; he portrayed the Monster Shouter in ABC's adaptation of Stephen King's The Stand, as well as Zed, an undead councilman, in iZombie. In addition to his work as an actor, Abdul-Jabbar is a writer and producer of television, most notably for the 2019 revival of Veronica Mars, starring Kristen Bell.
An extremely talented yet well-rounded individual, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has found great success in almost every facet of his life. Though he may best be known for his legendary basketball career, Abdul-Jabbar's legacy extends on through television and film. With his fascinating story being explored throughout Winning Time: Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, it is certain Kareem Abdul-Jabbar will remain a strong pop culture figure.
Winning Time: Rise of the Lakers Dynasty will premiere on HBO and HBO Max on March 6th at 9 pm EST.