Entertainment /
#RIPMuhammadAli: The Man, The Legend & The Pop-Culture Icon
We pay tribute to Muhammad Ali with a look back at some of his pop-cultural moments as we know them, including some big Bollywood star tributes to the late and great boxing legend.
In shock, we all woke up this Saturday morning to realize that one of the greatest legends of our time left us way too soon! The loss came just a few short months after losing music's biggest legend, Prince.
Muhammad Ali
Photo Credit: www.jetmag.com
Muhammad Ali, the former world heavyweight boxing champion and one of sport's most influential individuals, died at age 74.
We take a look at five pop-cultural moments from his time below.
1. When He Became a Comic Book Hero
DC Comics' Cover art spread for Superman Vs. Muhammad Ali
Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons
DC Comics' Cover art spread for Superman Vs. Muhammad Ali
Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons
In 1978, along with the theatrical release of Superman the motion picture, DC Comics released a two-page full-wrap cover unleashing the late and great Muhammad Ali as a comic book superstar. Superman has had his fair share of battles in the pop-cultural world, but Ali by far was one of his biggest competitors.
2. When He Became a Broadway Superstar
When supporting his family was most important, Ali joined Broadway in an attempt to earn a living. He accepted a role in Buck White in 1969, also starring Donald Sutherland. The show showcased the story of a black leader speaking against white oppression. Ali was even able to show off his singing chops with his performance.
3. When He Became a Grammy-Nominated Artist
Album Cover Art for I Am The Greatest
Photo Credit: www.amazon.com
In 1963, the boxing heavyweight released a spoken-word comedy album called I Am the Greatest with Columbia Records. "I Am The Greatest" was also released that year with a cover of Ben E. King's classic "Stand By Me." Ali's album was nominated for a Grammy and peaked at high positions on various charts that same year.
4. That Time He Became a Cartoon Character
I Am the Greatest: The Adventures of Muhammad Ali was an animated series featuring the heavyweight boxing legend, who starred as the voice for his own character. The short-lived series broadcast Saturday mornings on NBC in the fall of 1977 but was cancelled after just 13 weeks.
5. Bollywood Mourns the Loss of the Legend
Ali's fanbase and inspiration go far beyond North America. A slew of Bollywood stars took to their social feeds to share their feelings, thoughts and tributes for Muhammad Ali.
Main Image Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons
Daniel Pillai
Author
Daniel is the Digital Media Manager for ANOKHI MEDIA and the host for ANOKHI's entertainment channel, PULSE TV. As part of the dream team, Daniel manages all multiple channels under ANOKHI’s portfolio, while also training new on-air talent, and showing budding p...
COMMENTS
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
-
How Canadian Studio 'Cult Following Pictures' Is Changing Queer, Genre, & South Asian Storytelling
-
Pride In Frame: 10 Queer South Asian Stories To Watch This June
-
13 South Asian Music Maestros Who Revolutionized The Music Scene Forever
-
Exclusive Interview With Priyanka Bose & Raam Reddy On Magical Realism In 'The Fable'
-
From AI Ethics To Queer Love: IFFLA 2025 Honours Groundbreaking Winners
-
South Asian Cinema Takes Over L.A. – Check Out The Must-See Films At IFFLA 2025!
-
Stress Awareness Month: This Is What I Watch When I Am Tired Of Adulting (And It Works Every Time)
-
Sneaking Samosas In The Theatre To Watch 'A Nice Indian Boy' With Zarna Garg & Sunita Mani
-
Reimagining 'Mahabharata': An Exclusive Interview With The Visionaries Behind Toronto’s Theatrical Spectacle - Miriam Fernandes & Ravi Jain
-
Experience The Epic Mahabharata Like Never Before – Now On Stage in Toronto!
-
Exploring The Renaissance Of Female Characters In Bollywood, Hollywood & Beyond!
-
South Asian Stars Light Up Hollywood At Glamorous Pre-Oscar Celebration!
-
The South Asian Takeover: 2025’s Most Anticipated Hollywood Film & TV Releases
-
Bollywood 2025: The Ultimate Movie Lineup You Can’t Afford to Miss!
-
Mindy Kaling Becomes The Second South Asian Woman To Receive A Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame
-
8 Must-Watch Patriotic Films To Celebrate India's Republic Day
-
Up Close & Personal with Sandhya Suri on Her Oscar-Bound Film 'Santosh'
-
Bollywood 2024 Recap: The Good, the Bad, and the 'Who Asked for This?'
-
Must-Watch or Pass? Your Definitive Guide to the Upcoming Bollywood Films This Winter
-
How PBS Series 'Renegades' Celebrates American History's Most Badass Disabled Changemakers
-
14 Bollywood Remakes Vs. Their Hollywood Originals - Who Did It Better?
-
Catch Pakistan's 1st Ever Hand-Drawn Animated Film 'The Glassworker' & Other South Asian Films At Reel Asian Festival
-
World Mental Health Day: How Bollywood Has Used Its Power Of Storytelling To Address Mental Health Stigmas
-
Highlights Of Archie Panjabi, Neeru Bajwa & Iman Vellani At iSAFF2024
-
3x Emmy-Nominated Television Host & Producer Rasha Goel Launches New Podcast "Beyond the Glam" - Premiering Today!
-
Does Bollywood Accurately Portray Financial Struggles of India's Working Class?
-
Canada’s International South Asian Film Festival (iSAFF) Triumphantly Unveils Its Thrilling 2024 Lineup!
-
TIFF 2024: Our Chat With Writer-Director-Star Srinivas Krishna On The 4K Restoration Of His Hidden Canadian Classic ‘Masala’
-
TIFF 2024: First-Time Filmmaker Lakshmipriya Devi Dishes On ‘Boong,’ Her Funny & Profound Modern-Day Folk Tale Told From A Child's Point Of View
-
Nepotism Or Repetitive Content - What's Causing Bollywood's Slump Versus Punjabi & South Indian Cinema's Surge
-
Must-Watch Patriotic Films From India & Pakistan For Your Independence Day Celebrations
-
Villainous Vixens: How Bollywood's Leading Ladies Are Redefining Cinema's Most Memorable Antagonists
-
'Girls Will Be Girls' Wins Big At The 2024 Indian Film Festival Of Los Angeles (IFFLA)
-
OTT Revolution: How Streaming Platforms Are Transforming Indian Cinema
-
A Train Bloodbath With A 90% On Rotten Tomatoes - Why You Should Watch TIFF-Acclaimed Indian Action Flick 'Kill'
-
The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) Celebrates Its 22nd Edition June 27-30 With An Incredible Lineup Of 21 Films
-
Pride Month & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Representation in South Asian Cinema
-
From Stoic Protectors to Emotional Anchors: A Father’s Day Tribute Through Hindi Cinema
-
Exploring South Asian Intergenerational Sacrifice With 'The Wrong Bashir', Now Playing In Toronto
-
Bollywood & Beyond: Must-Watch Films for Vibrant Insight Into Muslim Cultures
-
Over 50 Films From 9 Countries At The Eclectic South Asian Film Festival Montreal (May 24 - June 3)
-
Mother's Day Special: How Bollywood & Hollywood Super Moms Show Us Women Can Have It All!
-
Emerging Talents and Established Icons: Celebrate South Asian Heritage Month with Us!
-
Revealing Truths: South Asian Cinema's Contribution to Earth Day Awareness
-
Review: Monkey Man - Dev Patel Sets the Screen Ablaze with Electrifying Action
-
Exclusive Q&A With Diljit Dosanjh on the Dil-Luminati Tour and the Exciting Simplii Collaboration!
-
12 South Asian Female Artists Who Are Changing Hollywood's Landscape
-
Transitional Representation of South Asian Women in The World of Entertainment
-
Hot February 2024 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
How Jesse "Punjabi Timbit" Singh Explores Emotional Healing Through His Comedy
-
Rukus Avenue Radio, The World's #1 South Asian Radio Station, Joins The iHeartRadio App
-
From Silent Frames To Global Fame: Key Moments That Shaped Bollywood
-
Hot January 2024 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
Kerala Actor Santhy Balachandran Celebrates Her Three Incredible Releases In 2023
-
Hot December 2023 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
The Real Reason Why Bollywood Directors Love English In Their Titles
-
Diwali Dance Fest Makes History at Walt Disney World® Resort!
-
TIFF 2023: Deepa Mehta and Sirat Taneja Share Why 'I Am Sirat’ Is The Transgender Story To Be Told
-
The International South Asian Film Festival 2023 (iSAFF) Wraps With A Celebration Of Outstanding Global South Asian Pathbreakers
-
TIFF 2023: 'We Grown Now' Director Minhal Baig Shares With Us Why Neighbourhood Stories Should Be Told