Oscars 2020 honored Kobe Bryant with a fitting tribute Sunday night.
After director Spike Lee walked the red carpet in a suit inspired by the Lakers legend, the Academy Awards telecast — which aired live Sunday, February 9, 2020 from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles — celebrated the Lakers legend toward the end of the show as part of the annual “In Memoriam” segment.
As Billie Eilish sang “Yesterday” by the Beatles, the montage of those who died in the past year began with a picture of Bryant beside a written quote of his: “Life is too short to get bogged down and be discouraged. You have to keep moving. You have to keep going.”
Although Bryant is best known for his feats on the basketball court, he has recent history with Hollywood. In 2018, Bryant won an Oscar in the category of Best Animated Short Film for “Dear Basketball.”
Oscars producer Stephanie Allain revealed at a press conference last week that Bryant would be included for that accomplishment.
“I think what’s really appropriate is that Kobe was part of the film community, and as such, he will be embraced within the ‘In Memoriam’ segment,” she said.
Bryant wrote, produced and narrated “Dear Basketball,” which was based on a poem he wrote announcing his retirement from the NBA. The emotively drawn film explores what the game meant to Bryant and his journey to titan status, starting as a young boy. The piece was scored by legendary “Star Wars” composer John Williams.
Bryant shared the award with the short’s director — animation icon Glen Keane, known for his work on Disney films such as “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Aladdin.”
“As basketball players, we’re really supposed to shut up and dribble,” Bryant said in the pair’s acceptance speech. “But I’m glad we’re doing a little bit more than that.”
That same year, Bryant was recommended to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences by the executive committee of the short films and feature animation branch. However, his inclusion was rejected by the general membership committee.
Bryant died in a helicopter crash on January 26 at the age of 41 alongside his daughter Gianna and seven others. A public memorial service will be held February 24 at the Staples Center, the Lakers’ home.