Meet THIS Sporting Legend Who Had Won An Olympics Gold Medal As Well As An Oscar
New Delhi: Legendary tennis player Roger Federer never won a gold medal at the Olympics, Tupac never got his hands on a Grammy, and Stanley Kubrick never won an Oscar. Nevertheless, these individuals remain iconic figures in their respective fields. Winning industry awards often showcases legendary status in multiple fields. A recent social media post spotlighted Kobe Bryant’s distinct accomplishment of being the sole individual to win both an Olympic gold medal and an Oscar, underscoring one of his extraordinary achievements.
In the entertainment industry, a select group of celebrities, known as EGOT winners, have achieved the rare feat of winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. This prestigious list includes Audrey Hepburn, Viola Davis, John Legend, Mel Brooks, Jennifer Hudson, and Whoopi Goldberg, all of whom have demonstrated exceptional talent across TV, music, cinema, and theatre.
A select few have earned both a Nobel Prize and an Oscar, with Irish writer George Bernard Shaw and musician Bob Dylan being the only two to achieve this rare distinction. Although these honors might appear unrelated, the feat of winning both an Olympic gold medal and an Academy Award is even rarer. Kobe Bryant stands alone in this unique accomplishment.
Kobe Bryant, an American basketball star, clinched his first gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, He later grabbed another gold medal at the 2012 Olympics in London, sharing this victory with a legendary team that featured LeBron James, Tayshaun Prince, Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, and Deron Williams.
On March 4, 2018, at the 90th Academy Awards ceremony, Kobe Bryant won an Oscar for a short animated film he wrote and narrated. The film, “Dear Basketball,” was inspired by his 2015 poem and offered an introspective look at his basketball journey. Bryant shared this award with director Glen Keane, renowned for his work on Disney animated films like “Beauty and the Beast” (1991), “Tarzan” (1999), and “Tangled” (2010).
Tragically, on January 26, 2020, Kobe Bryant, along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven other passengers, was killed in a helicopter crash in California. Despite his untimely death, Kobe Bryant’s legacy as an athlete and creative talent continues to inspire and be celebrated.