The Bryant family has suffered another devastating loss. Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, the father of late NBA legend Kobe Bryant, has passed away at the age of 69. Joe Bryant, a former professional basketball player himself, had a significant influence on Kobe’s life and career. His death, which occurred just four years after Kobe’s tragic passing in a helicopter crash, has added another layer of grief to an already heartbroken family.
A Life Steeped in Basketball For Kobe Bryant’s Family
Lakers’ Kobe Bryant, right, has a laugh with his father, Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, prior to participating in a pickup basketball game at Loyola Marymount on July 5, 2007
Joe Bryant’s life was deeply rooted in basketball, both as a player and coach. A forward who played in the NBA for teams like the Philadelphia 76ers and the San Diego Clippers, he spent the latter part of his playing career in Italy.
Where his young son Kobe honed his basketball skills. Kobe often credited his father’s professional experience for shaping his own path to NBA stardom. After retiring from playing, Joe transitioned into coaching, including stints in Japan and the WNBA.
The Challenges of Father-Son Relationships
Kobe Bryant, Vanessa Bryant, Gianna Maria Onore and Natalia Diamante at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Sports Awards 2016 held at the UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion in Westwood, USA on July 14, 2016.
Though Joe and Kobe shared a passion for basketball, their relationship wasn’t without its challenges. Tensions between the two grew in the early 2000s, reportedly due to Kobe’s decision to marry his wife, Vanessa, at a young age.
Despite these difficulties, the two reconnected later in life, especially after Kobe became a father himself. Joe Bryant’s passing leaves a complicated legacy, both as a father who lost his son tragically and as a man whose basketball journey mirrored Kobe’s early years.
Tributes from the Basketball World
Following the news of Joe Bryant’s passing, tributes have poured in from across the basketball community for the Bryant Family.
Former colleagues and players have shared memories of Joe’s approachable personality, basketball knowledge, and how he made a positive impact on and off the court. His coaching career, particularly with the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks, left a lasting influence on many young players. “Joe was a true basketball mind,” a former colleague said. Reflecting on the depth of his knowledge and his unique ability to mentor young talent.
A Legacy Carried by the Bryant Name
Joe Bryant’s death marks another chapter in the complex yet significant legacy of Kobe Bryant’s Family. From the streets of Philadelphia to the courts of the NBA and beyond, Joe’s life had a profound impact on those who knew him.
His influence, both in Kobe’s career and in his own right as a player and coach, will be remembered by many in the basketball world. His passing is a reminder of the personal and professional sacrifices made by those who dedicate their lives to the game.
Final Farewell
As the basketball world mourns the loss of Joe Bryant, his memory will continue to inspire the next generation of players.
Both for his contributions on the court and his role in shaping Kobe Bryant into the icon he became. The Bryant family’s strength and resilience in the face of repeated tragedies is a testament to their enduring legacy in the sport and beyond.
Sources
“Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant, father of Kobe Bryant, dies at age 69” ESPN. July 16, 2024.
“Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant, father of Kobe Bryant, dies at age 69” ABC News. July 16, 2024.
“Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant, Kobe Bryant’s father, dies at 69” USA Today. Scooby Axson. July 16, 2024.
“Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant, father of late Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, dies at 69” LA Times. Steve Henson. July 16, 2024.
Hollywood Legend Dustin Hoffman’s Private Fight Against Cancer Revealed
Dustin Hoffman, who famously dressed in drag for *Tootsie* 30 years ago, used his acting skills to keep a serious secret: a battle with cancer that almost took his life.
In 2013, the *Rain Man* actor, then 75, revealed that he had quietly undergone treatment for throat cancer, which was “surgically cured.” After that, he never spoke about it publicly again. Here’s more about the Oscar-winning actor’s journey with cancer.
In 1967, at 30 years old, Dustin Hoffman had his breakthrough role in the romantic comedy *The Graduate*, which earned him his first Oscar nomination.
Over the years, Hoffman starred in iconic films like *All the President’s Men* (1976) and *Kramer vs. Kramer* (1979), which won him an Academy Award for Best Actor.
In 1983, Hoffman played a washed-up actor who dresses as a woman to get a role on a soap opera in the movie *Tootsie*, showcasing his incredible versatility.
\In the hit film *Tootsie*, Dustin Hoffman’s character was called a “nottie” instead of a “hottie,” which brought him to tears, he shared.
“If I were going to be a woman, I’d want to be as beautiful as possible. But they told me, ‘That’s as good as it gets,’” Hoffman recalled in an interview.
When he realized he wasn’t considered attractive as a woman, the now 86-year-old actor had a life-changing realization about how society views women.
“I went home and started crying,” Hoffman says. “I thought, ‘I’m an interesting woman,’ but I knew if I met that version of myself at a party, I wouldn’t talk to her because she didn’t meet the physical standards we’re taught women need to have for us to approach them.”
Even though *Tootsie* was the second-highest-grossing film of the year—just behind *E.T. The Extraterrestrial*—Dustin Hoffman didn’t find it funny.
“That was never a comedy for me,” he added.
Despite his feelings about the film, Hoffman became one of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood.
He earned his second Oscar for the 1988 film *Rain Man* and went on to win six Golden Globes and one Primetime Emmy.
In 2013, Hoffman, who had always been very active in his career, suddenly went quiet.
It was later revealed that his cancer had been detected early.
Just months after Dustin Hoffman made his directorial debut with the British comedy *Quartet* (2012) and finished filming *Chef* (2014) alongside Jon Favreau and Sofia Vergara, the reason for his absence became clear.
Hoffman’s publicist, Jodi Gottlieb, shared with *People* (through ABC News) that the beloved actor had been privately treated for cancer. She didn’t reveal many details but said, “It was detected early, and he has been surgically cured. Dustin is feeling great and is in good health.”
At 75, Hoffman underwent preventative treatments to reduce the chances of the cancer returning. While Gottlieb didn’t specify the type of cancer, it was widely believed to be throat cancer.
Even after the news, Hoffman’s career didn’t slow down. He lent his voice to Master Shifu in more *Kung Fu Panda* films (2008 to 2024) and acted in several other movies, including *Sam and Kate* in 2022 and the upcoming sci-fi drama *Megalopolis* in 2024. Hoffman, now 86, continues to remind us of his resilience and passion for acting.
In early March 2024, *Hello!* magazine reported that Dustin Hoffman and his wife, Lisa Gottsegen, were seen walking around London, showing some sweet moments of affection.
Hoffman, who married Gottsegen in 1980, added four children to his family, along with two children from his previous marriage to Anne Byrne.
The article noted, “The Hollywood legend looked much younger than his 86 years as he smiled and waved at the cameras. He appeared tanned and relaxed while strolling through the city and visiting shops with his wife of 43 years.”
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