Image Credit: Rico Torres
After 19 seasons in the NBA, Shaquille O’Neal, the most awesome physical presence in the sport’s history, announced his retirement today on Twitter. Listed at 7’1”, 325 pounds, O’Neal was a gentle giant — unless you stood between him and the basket. In his prime, he brought down entire backboards while winning four league titles. He also filled the pop-culture void left by the retirement of Michael Jordan in the mid 1990s, releasing rap albums, playing himself in several TV series and movies (who else could he play?), and eventually hosting a semi-successful reality show.
He also starred in several feature films, which only proved that foul-shooting wasn’t his only Achilles heel. Just out of college, he played a raw basketball recruit named Neon in 1994′s Blue Chips. In 1996, he played the rappin’ genie in Kazaam!, which still stands as one of the Top 10 rappin’ genies in cinematic history. A Superman buff, O’Neal went the superhero route the next year, playing John Henry Irons in Steel. After moving to Los Angeles to join the Lakers, he cameoed in Freddy Got Fingered — yes, that Freddy Got Fingered. Although the Academy never recognized O’Neal’s work in front of the camera, Kazaam! brought in a respectable $19 million.
O’Neal never became a movie star, per se, but his persona was as enormous as his frame, and he remains one of the most genuine and playful superstar athletes. He has publicly expressed a desire to work in law enforcement after his playing days, so his Hollywood days could, sadly, be over. If they are, which film of his stands out as your favorite?
Kazaam! because of the mandatory exclamation point.
For me, it’s the best one because for some strange reason, I feel compelled to say “I’m not that kind of genie” to somebody while giving a half-way glance at toward the camera. I have no idea why that line pops up in my head so often, more so than movies I’ve seen dozens of times, although I have seen Kazaam! at least four times. OH Childhood, why did you rob me of so many childhood reading hours?
Childhood: “I’m not that kind of genie.”
Blue chips
I actually enjoyed the tv show he had last summer, “Shaq vs…” He actually has a deadpan, self-depracating sense of humor. I thought he was really funny, especially with Charles Barkley.
I met Shaquille O’Neal in the San Antonio airport when I was like 7 or 8 and he was massive I could of grabbed on at the knee and I doubt he would’ve noticed I was there.
I know its not a movie, but what about the “Thats How I Beat Shaq” music video where Aaron Carter beat him at basketball?
He also had a cameo in goodburger! I would have voted for that, instead Kazaam! gets my vote.
I’ve never seen any of these…..
My favorite contribution he’s (inadvertently) brought to pop culture is Jamie Foxx’s imitation of him.
Yes Kazzam because without that movie we would never have gotten Weevil from Veronica Mars.
I loved him as the Flying Nun in the Sound of Music, he’s my dreamboat!
It’s not a film, but his commercials for the NBA on ESPN are hysterical. Especially the one where Shaq and Mike Breen play 20 questions.
Kazzam! was one of my faves as a child!!
I need to youtube jamie foxx doing shaq.
I love when aries spears used to do it on mad tv
I think that the more interesting question should be: whose movie career is worse, Shaq or MJ?