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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Actor, also producer and writer · Born April 17, 1947 (79) · Harlem, New York City, New York, USA

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.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
April 17, 1947 (79)
From
Harlem, New York City, New York, USA
Works as
Actor, also producer and writer
Titles
43 on MovieCove · 65 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 156 days to Oct 27Up 41% in 30 days

What are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's films like?

Across their 19 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Society and Self.

Genres

Documentary11 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 78th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Comedy4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 43rd percentile
: browse their Comedy movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Society
41%
Self
17%
Bonds
13%
Morality
12%
Power
8%
Survival
6%
Ideas
3%
Legacy7 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity7 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love2 titles, browse their movies with this themeOppression2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFame3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds2 titles, browse their movies with this themePrejudice2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 19 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 13 · Serious 4 · Dark 2

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 12 · Stylized 6 · Heightened 1

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 8 · Charged 9 · Intense 2

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 15 · Shifting 4 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 12 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 2

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 11 · Even-paced 7 · Relentless 1

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 14 · Engaged 4 · Full focus 1

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 17 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

3 analyzed roles
Shadow
1 of 3
Mentor
1 of 3
Herald
1 of 3

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Hopeful
11
Warm
9
Contemplative
7
Joyful
4
Tense
4
Other
12

How their films linger

Rousing11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy9
  • Bittersweet8
  • Ambiguous2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 33 of their 43 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (11).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

65 credits, 43 with a MovieCove page; 61 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Los Anillos de Pau (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Final Game of Death (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Mantis

  • Night Court(2023)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all shows

  • Glass Onion(2022)

    as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • The Jennifer Hudson Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Black Patriots: Heroes of the Civil War (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Executive Producer · as Self - Narrator (voice)

  • Fight the Power: The Protests That Changed America(2021)

    Producer · as Self

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • John Bronco (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

  • Dave(2020)

    Show 1 episode · as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Black Patriots(2020)

    Producer · as Self - Narrator (voice)

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Game of Death Redux (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Mantis

  • Billions(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Fresh Off the Boat(2015)

    Show 1 episode · as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • The Crazy Ones(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all shows

  • Guys with Kids(2012)

    Show 2 episodes · as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all shows

  • I Am Bruce Lee(2012)

    as Hakim (segment: of Game of Death)

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • On the Shoulders of Giants(2011)

    Producer · Writer · as Self - Narrator

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • I Tried (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Sin

  • The Big Bang Theory(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • Weapons (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as P.J.

  • Identity (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Whitepaddy(2006)

    as Hank

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Veronica Mars(2004)

    Show 8 episodes · Co-Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • The Apprentice(2004)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all shows

  • The Unbeatable Bruce Lee(2001)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Scrubs(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Reflections on 'the Little Dragon' (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Actor

  • Bruce Lee: The Legend Lives On(1999)

    as Hakim (scenes Game of Death)

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The GREATEST : Bruce Lee (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Comentador

  • BASEketball(1998)

    as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Jackie Chan: My Story(1998)

    as Hakim

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Everybody Loves Raymond(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • Boston Common (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

  • Slam Dunk Ernest(1995)

    as Archangel

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Forget Paris(1995)

    as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • The Stand(1994)

    Show 2 episodes · as Monster Shouter

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all shows

  • D2: The Mighty Ducks(1994)

    as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • The Critic (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 2 episodes · as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (voice)

  • The Vernon Johns Story(1994)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Saved by the Bell: The New Class(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all shows

  • Matrix (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Martin(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Skyhook

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all shows

  • Good Sports (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

  • The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • The Simpsons(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (voice)

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Jake Spanner, Private Eye(1989)

    as Man at Sal's House

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Troop Beverly Hills(1989)

    as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Bustin' Loose (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Full House(1987)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows

  • 21 Jump Street(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Wesley Williams

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all shows

  • Amen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Stingray(1986)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Fletch(1985)

    as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Tales from the Darkside (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as The Djinn, Jan Bin Jan

  • Olympic Gala (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Actor

  • The Hero Who Couldn't Read (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

  • Airplane!(1980)

    as Roger Murdock

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh(1979)

    as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • The Visitor(1979)

    as Basketball player (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Diff'rent Strokes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 2 episodes · as Mr. Wilkes

  • Game of Death(1978)

    as Hakim

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Man from Atlantis(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Thark

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all shows

  • The Game of Death (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Hakim / Mantis

  • Emergency!(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Mannix(1967)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

Career shape

Star power in the 91st percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 60 titles from 1967 to 2024; peak year 1994.

Biggest box office

Airplane! (1980)

$83M worldwide

Highest rated

Airplane! (1980)

Midcredits 95th

Film career

19672024

Peak 1994 · steadily prominent in film for years. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting56 of 60: 56 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score62ndWriting2 of 60: 1 only writing, 1 with another roleProducing3 of 60: 2 only producing, 1 with another role

By decade

1960s1 · acting1970s7 · acting1980s13 · acting1990s15 · 14 acting · 1 crew2000s10 · 9 acting · 1 crew2010s6 · 5 acting · 1 crew2020s8 · 7 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 16th · top billed in 0% of 10 roles
7893

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 62nd percentile, the median of all 21; across their 19 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 82nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

82ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 19

Approval · how many liked their films

70thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 19

Reach · how many have seen their films

32ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 19

Midcredits score across 43 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up18
  • 50th to 74th10
  • 25th to 49th9
  • Below 25th6

Shape of the crowd

15 of their 43 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved9
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser15
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed14

Most divisive · actor, producer

Fight the Power: The Protests That Changed America (2021)

89th percentile spread · 63% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Airplane! (1980)

Midcredits 95th · 84% liked

Reviewers score the acting 56/100 in their films, across 8 reviewed titles; fans 66, detractors 26. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Kareem Abdul-Jabbar work with?

People who share at least 2 of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Jackie Chan shares the most, 4.

Actors

Composers

Producers

Mixed roles