The organization responsible for the Oscars, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts Sciences, has revealed that it is planning to honor late basketball star Kobe Bryant during the 2020 Oscars telecast on February 9, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
While the overwhelming majority of Bryant’s fans remember him for his unparalleled accomplishments on the basketball court, Kobe was also an Oscar-winning producer for his 2017 autobiographical animated short film Dear Basketball, which he also wrote and voiced.
Kobe, 41, was killed in a helicopter crash amid uncharacteristically foggy conditions on Sunday morning in Calabasas, California, along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others.
Multi-faceted legend: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts Sciences has revealed that it is planning to honor late basketball star Kobe Bryant during the 2020 Oscars on February 9
News of his sudden death sent shock waves throughout both the sports and entertainment worlds, with athletes, actors and various institutions alike honoring the Los Angeles Lakers icon via social media.
AMPAS itself paid tribute to Bryant Sunday following the fatal accident, posting a smiling picture of the Oscar winner holding his statuette at the 2018 ceremony.
‘Still doesn’t feel real’: Rihanna pays tribute to Kobe…
Chrissy Teigen shares touching Kobe Bryant tribute by ESPN’s…
Jimmy Fallon cries as he recalls first time he met Kobe…
‘Everything changed in a second’: Ellen DeGeneres breaks… The touching caption read, ‘They doubted a kid could make it in the NBA and he proved them wrong. They doubted he could win a championship and he proved them wrong. They doubted he could make movies and he won an Oscar. Like all great artists, Kobe Bryant proved the doubters wrong. Rest in peace.’
In Memoriam: AMPAS itself paid tribute to Bryant on Sunday, following the fatal accident
Before his untimely death, Bryant was the producer, writer and host of ESPN+ series Detail, which is an in-depth basketball analysis show examining how the game is played and won.
He had major plans to continue his career in Hollywood.
It is unclear whether the late athlete will simply be included in the ‘In Memoriam’ segment of the Oscars ceremony as a producer among other fallen stars from the past year, or whether he will be remembered separately.
He was a winner: While the overwhelming majority of Bryant’s fans remember him for his unparalleled accomplishments on the basketball court, Kobe was also an Oscar-winning producer; seen here with the director of Dear Basketball, Glen Keane, in 2018
Condolences began pouring in after Bryant’s Sikorsky S-76 crashed in Calabasas just before 10 am on Sunday.
The helicopter struck a hillside and immediately caught fire, killing all those on board. Along with Bryant and his daughter, the other victims included Orange County Coast College coach John Altobelli and his wife, Keri, as well as their 13-year-old daughter, Alyssa; youth basketball coach Christina Mauser; Sarah Chester and her daughter, Payton; and pilot Ara Zobayan.
The crash is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration, and reports came in on Tuesday afternoon that all remains of the victims have now been removed from the crash site.
Bryant was one of the major forces of the LA Lakers for two decades, becoming a five-time NBA champion and 18-time All-Star. He was the first NBA player to spend 20 years with one franchise.
Triumphant: Bryant won Oscar gold for his 2017 autobiographical animated short film Dear Basketball, which he also wrote and voiced
Before his untimely death: Bryant was also the producer, writer and host of ESPN+ series Detail, which is an in-depth basketball analysis show examining the game
Share what you think
The comments below have not been moderated.
The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.
Close
Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline?
Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual.
Close
Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline?
Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual
We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook.
You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.