Kobe Bryantwas much more than a basketball player.
Bryant, whotragically diedSundayalongside his daughter Gianna, 13, and seven other people in a helicopter crash, made several television appearances throughout his illustrious basketball career, oftentimes starring as himself.
FromSister Sisterand The Challenge toModern FamilyandKeeping Up with the Kardashians,the 41-year-old racked up an impressive number of acting credits over the years.
Here is a look at some of the late NBA legend’s most memorable television guest spots.
Arli$$, 1996
Bryant made his acting debut in the HBO show Arli$$, which followed a sports agent and became known for its celebrity cameos.
In a behind-the-scenes clip from Bryant’s day on set, the then-17-year-old is seen laughing and chatting with the cast between takes.
Sister Sister, 1996
Fresh out of the NBA draft, Bryant made a guest appearance on the hit ABC Family show. In the short cameo, Bryant is escorted around Tia Landry (Tia Mowry) and Tamera Campbell’s (Tamera Mowry) school, where he is shooting a commercial.
“When I’m not in training, I’m headed for Wally’s Waffles, home of the hot-buttered flapjack,” he says in the clip.
Moesha, 1996
Bryant appeared as teenager Terry Hightower onMoesha. It wasn’t too much of a stretch: Byrant’s character was a high school star basketball player studying for the SATs.
In the episode, Bryant’s character asks Moesha (Brandy) to take the test for him so that he doesn’t lose his sports scholarship.
All That, 1998
With nearly two years in the NBA under his belt, Bryant began to cash in on his worldwide stardom and sex appeal.
In a hilarious clip fromAll That, a youngAmanda Bynes andChristy Knowings gush over Bryant induring a sketch called “What-Everr.” In the clip, the girls grill the basketball player about his relationship status before spilling a glass of water on him in an attempt to get him to take off his shirt.
“Do you have any idea how cute you are?” Bynes shrieks.
The Challenge, 1998
Long also shared a handful of photos from their day together, including the jerseys Bryant signed.
Bette, 2000
Bryant made an appearance on Bette Midler‘s short-lived CBS sitcom. In the episode, Midler harasses the basketball player for courtside tickets to a Lakers game. After finally getting him to cave, she accidentally injures his finger.
“She dislocated my pinky,” he says in the clip before the episode flashes forward, showing Bryant on the bench from the injury.
Keeping Up with the Kardashians, 2009
Bryant appeared on the hit reality series when he attended Khloé Kardashian and Lamar Odom’s televised wedding. The basketball player was seen walking in with his wife,Vanessa Bryant.
Bryant and Odom played alongside each other for several seasons as members of the Lakers, and the pair won the 2009 and 2010 NBA championship together with the team.
Kardashian reacted to Bryant’s death on Twitter, writing that her “heart hurts.”
Modern Family, 2010
Gearing up for a big game, Bryant encounters the Dunphy family in an episode from the hit ABC sitcom.
“What can I do for you?” he asks after seeing Phil Dunphy, Alex Dunphy, Gloria Pritchett and Manny Delgado calling his name.
“Do you like being a basketball player?” asks Phil, to Bryant’s confusion. “I choked. I didn’t think you’d look up here at me.”
“A little preparation next time,” the basketball says before running on the court. “It’s a mental game.”
Modern FamilystarEric Stonestreetalso paid tribute to Bryant on social media, sharing a screengrab of a Twitter notification he received after the basketball player sent him a direct message.
Jalen vs. Everybody, 2017
In his cameo, Bryant makes a subtle brag about his 81-point scoring record.
When the waiter asks him how many olives he wants in his martini, Bryant says “81” before joking, “No I’m just playing, just two.”
source: people.com