Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, the father of the late Basketball Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, has died at the age of 69, La Salle University’s athletics department reported.
Citing La Salle men’s head basketball coach Fran Dunphy, The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote Joe had recently suffered a stoke. The exact cause of death hasn’t been confirmed yet.
La Salle University, where Joe played and coached, said in a statement that he “was a beloved member of the Explorer family and will be dearly missed.”
Just like his famous son, Joe was a renowned basketball player himself. Drafted by the Golden State Warriors as the 14th overall pick in the 1975 NBA draft, he played for the Philadelphia 76ers for four seasons, the then-San Diego Clippers for three seasons, and the Houston Rockets for one season. He also played in Europe.
The 76ers paid tribute to Joe, calling him “a local basketball icon, whose legacy on the court transcended his journey across Bartram High School, La Salle University, and his first four NBA seasons with the 76ers from 1975-79.”
Joe’s sudden passing comes four years after the tragic death of his son Kobe and his granddaughter Gianna, who were killed in a helicopter crash with seven other people.
Kobe’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, wrote on her Instagram story on Tuesday, “Sending our condolences upon hearing the news of my father-in-law’s passing.
“We hoped things would’ve been different. Although the times we spent together were few, he was always sweet and nice to be around. Kobe loved him very much.”
Former Kobe teammate Doug Young praised Joe as the ideal “role model.”
“Joe was our JV coach at Lower Merion and I could not have asked for a more positive mentor, teacher, and role model,” Young told ESPN. “It’s difficult to overstate how much he influenced me and my teammates. He made basketball fun and made us all want to be better; he believed in us. I’ll never forget his infectious smile, his bear hugs and the incredible bond he shared with Kobe. Growing up in Lower Merion, there was no family we loved and admired more than the Bryants, and that started with Joe.”
Arn Tellem, the vice chairman of the Pistons and formerly Kobe Bryant’s agent, expressed his sadness over the loss of Joe and joined the basketball community in mourning a true Philly hoops legend. “Our friendship opened the door for me to represent Kobe as he entered the NBA, a memory I’ll always cherish. Joe was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, whose warmth touched everyone he met.”
May he rest in peace.
The health issues of Tom Selleck
Tom Selleck is one of the handful who has had success in Hollywood. He is incredibly talented and fortunate to have survived this long in the business. Though many people aspire to work in Hollywood, very few truly succeed. One of the notable exceptions is Tom Selleck.
When he was chosen to play the protagonist in Magnum P.I., this performer had his big break. He received five Emmy Award nominations for the program, which was a great hit, and he won one in 1985.
Before becoming well-known, he played minor roles in movies and T.V. shows, appeared in advertisements, and even participated in The Dating Game. Though he now describes the incident as “humiliating and unpleasant,” it is clear that it did not prevent him from reaching his goals.
Tom Selleck, is best known for his roles in Magnum P.I. and Friends. His career did not start smoothly; he was turned down for employment and was withdrawn from talent programs.
He persisted, nevertheless, and in the long run, he was successful. Selleck says that the fact that he didn’t land a legitimate job until he was 35 is the reason for his success. As a result, he developed into the kind of actor people would be willing to accept as a leading man.
Tom Selleck has claimed that he would have given up acting entirely if Magnum P.I. had not been successful. In an interview, he revealed this and said that the job arrived just as he wanted to give up on his acting career. Finally, thanks to Magnum P.I, Selleck could continue his career in the field he loves.
The television series Blue Bloods gave Selleck the part of Frank Reagan, for which he is also adored. He has performed in this role since 2010, and the show’s 13th season has been approved.
Original Magnum P.I. co-stars Tom Selleck and Larry Manetti have reunited for an upcoming episode of Selleck’s CBS show Blue Bloods.
The two haven’t been seen together onscreen in over thirty years, except for a joint performance in Las Vegas in 2007. Blue Bloods star Donnie Wahlberg expressed his delight about the reunion on Twitter, lamenting the absence of other former Magnum P.I. cast mates such as Roger E. Mosley and John Hillerman.
This uncommon cooperation between two renowned actors will undoubtedly excite fans of both series.
Tom Selleck, who acted as the lead in the legendary T.V. series Magnum P.I., was recently spotted filming with the actors of Blue Bloods. He was joined by Magnum P.I. co-star John Hillerman and current Blue Bloods cast mates Bridget Moynahan, Andrew Terraciano, Will Estes, and Vanessa Ray. Manetti has also been in popular shows such as Walker, Texas Ranger, and JAG. At the same time, Selleck stars in the 13th season of the long-running show as New York Police Commissioner and family patriarch Frank Reagan.
Blue Bloods has been a phenomenal success for CBS, frequently placing among the network’s most-watched scripted shows and playing an essential role in the network’s popular Friday night lineup. Negotiations are underway to renew the series for a fourteenth season, which would demonstrate its strength in an increasingly competitive market.
It has achieved significant viewership on CBS and received high ratings through syndication and worldwide distribution. Blue Bloods’ broad popularity has made it a significant financial asset for CBS Studios.
Since he has completed most of his stunts over the years, Selleck’s body has suffered, and he is no longer as physically fit as he once was, admitting that his back is messed up. Despite this, he remains one of Blue Bloods’ key stars and plays an active part in the series.
You take a risk when performing stunts for movies. You do, however, spend a lot of time sitting around. For instance, you might have to sit in your chair for a bit after performing a combat scene.
Without someone to keep you warm and stretched out, this might be difficult for your body. All of this stop-and-go might wear you out over time.
The actor works hard on his ranch in Ventura, California, and is committed to maintaining his health. He also has a strong affection for horses, which he wants to pass on to his daughter.
Selleck and Jillie Mack have been married for an astounding 35 years. They have a strong bond since Selleck constantly prioritizes his family.
In 2012, Selleck claimed that he left Magnum to start a family and that it took a while to get off the train. He clarified, however, that the ranch had assisted him in finding balance in his life.
His wife continued, saying they both believed it to be the ideal setting for their daughter to grow up in. We send Tom Selleck our best wishes.
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