Among his many achievements during his illustrious career in Milwaukee and Los Angeles, six-time basketball MVP Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the all-time leading scorer. In 1978, Abdul-Jabbar translated his popularity into a film career by appearing as a hulking foe to Bruce Lee in Game of Death. The ensuing battle royale between the diminutive martial arts master and the agile seven-foot hoopster remains a highlight of martial arts cinema. Other film appearances include a memorable turn as a co-pilot who tires of being mistaken for Abdul-Jabbar in 1980's Airplane. In most of his subsequent films, Abdul-Jabbar has stuck to making cameo appearances as himself; he did however have a supporting role in the television pilot for the Robert Mitchum series Jake Spanner, Private Eye in 1989, the year he retired from professional basketball. Since then, his film and television appearances as an actor have been increasingly sporadic. Abdul-Jabbar has, however, continued to use his legendary status as an example. He is a tireless worker for various philanthropic causes and has devoted a large amount of time to helping children and steering them toward getting a good education.
| Title | Year | Editors' Rating | User Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
On the Shoulders of Giants
Book Author, Executive Producer, Participant, Screenwriter |
2011 | |||
|
The Black List, Vol. 1
Interviewee |
2008 | |||
|
Weapons
Actor |
2007 | |||
|
Ali Rap
Participant |
2006 | |||
|
Wilt Chamberlain: Larger Than Life
Participant |
2004 | |||
|
1 Love
Participant |
2003 | |||
|
The Real: Rucker Park Legends
Interviewee |
2003 | |||
|
Bruce Lee: A Warrior's Journey
Archival Appearance |
2002 | |||
|
Blue Note: A Story of Modern Jazz
Participant |
1997 | |||
| 1996 | ||||
|
Forget Paris
Actor |
1995 | |||
|
Full House: Air Jesse
Actor |
1995 | |||
|
Slam Dunk Ernest
Actor |
1995 | |||
|
D2: The Mighty Ducks
Actor |
1994 | |||
| 1994 | ||||
|
The Road to Freedom: The Vernon Johns Story
Co-Executive Producer |
1994 | |||
|
Deadliest Art: The Best of the Martial Arts Films
Archival Appearance |
1990 | |||
| 1989 | ||||
| 1989 | ||||
| 1989 | ||||
| 1989 | ||||
|
Troop Beverly Hills
Actor |
1989 | |||
| 1988 | ||||
| 1988 | ||||
|
Purple People Eaters
Actor |
1988 | |||
| 1987 | ||||
|
Fletch
Actor |
1985 | |||
| 1984 | ||||
|
Airplane!
Actor |
1980 | |||
| 1979 | ||||
|
The Game of Death
Actor |
1978 | |||
| 1974 | ||||
| NOT YET RELEASED | ||||
| NOT YET RELEASED | ||||
|
NBA: Centers
Actor |
NOT YET RELEASED |





