Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, the father of the late Basketball Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, has died at the age of 69, La Salle University’s athletics department reported.
Citing La Salle men’s head basketball coach Fran Dunphy, The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote Joe had recently suffered a stoke. The exact cause of death hasn’t been confirmed yet.
La Salle University, where Joe played and coached, said in a statement that he “was a beloved member of the Explorer family and will be dearly missed.”
Just like his famous son, Joe was a renowned basketball player himself. Drafted by the Golden State Warriors as the 14th overall pick in the 1975 NBA draft, he played for the Philadelphia 76ers for four seasons, the then-San Diego Clippers for three seasons, and the Houston Rockets for one season. He also played in Europe.
The 76ers paid tribute to Joe, calling him “a local basketball icon, whose legacy on the court transcended his journey across Bartram High School, La Salle University, and his first four NBA seasons with the 76ers from 1975-79.”
Joe’s sudden passing comes four years after the tragic death of his son Kobe and his granddaughter Gianna, who were killed in a helicopter crash with seven other people.
Kobe’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, wrote on her Instagram story on Tuesday, “Sending our condolences upon hearing the news of my father-in-law’s passing.
“We hoped things would’ve been different. Although the times we spent together were few, he was always sweet and nice to be around. Kobe loved him very much.”
Former Kobe teammate Doug Young praised Joe as the ideal “role model.”
“Joe was our JV coach at Lower Merion and I could not have asked for a more positive mentor, teacher, and role model,” Young told ESPN. “It’s difficult to overstate how much he influenced me and my teammates. He made basketball fun and made us all want to be better; he believed in us. I’ll never forget his infectious smile, his bear hugs and the incredible bond he shared with Kobe. Growing up in Lower Merion, there was no family we loved and admired more than the Bryants, and that started with Joe.”
Arn Tellem, the vice chairman of the Pistons and formerly Kobe Bryant’s agent, expressed his sadness over the loss of Joe and joined the basketball community in mourning a true Philly hoops legend. “Our friendship opened the door for me to represent Kobe as he entered the NBA, a memory I’ll always cherish. Joe was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, whose warmth touched everyone he met.”
May he rest in peace.
Fans Say Marlo Thomas ‘Destroyed’ Her Beauty with Surgery: How She Would Look Today Naturally
Marlo Thomas, who is 86 years old, has had a successful acting career spanning many years. Her performances in shows like “Ocean 8,” “The Real Blonde,” and “A Magical Christmas Village” have made her well-known. Even though she produced a large body of work, her natural beauty from her “That Girl” days is what many admirers remember her for. But over time, Thomas’s appearance has changed dramatically, leading many to surmise that plastic surgery was a major factor.
Conjectures and AI-Created Pictures
Artificial intelligence-generated images indicate that, had Thomas not undergone plastic surgery, she may have aged normally with little wrinkles, a well-defined nose, and a charming grin on her elevated cheeks. The discussion on how plastic surgery has changed her appearance and whether these modifications are good or bad is fueled by these photos.
Public Responses to Her Changes
Fans weren’t slow to react when photos of Marlo Thomas’s altered face from 1968 to 2024 appeared online. “She was much prettier when she was on ‘That Girl’ before all the surgeries,” a user said. Her nose is awful right now. “She was so pretty, too bad she destroyed it with surgery,” said a dejected person. Others who believe she has overindulged in cosmetic surgeries echo these complaints.
Fans’ worries and complaints
A lot of admirers think Thomas was more attractive before having plastic surgery. There’s way too much work done, a user said. Before she struck the knife, she was stunning. Oh no. Commenters who expressed agreement included “I agree” and “So true.”A few admirers wished she had approached cosmetic treatments with more caution. Some nevertheless acknowledge her efforts in spite of these criticisms; one individual said, “Too many surgeries.” She is a remarkable woman, though.
Thomas’s Reaction to What People Think
Even with the criticism, Marlo Thomas is unmoved. She related a story about how she uploaded a photo of her husband Phil Donahue with their granddaughter and got comments implying that he had plastic surgery, even though he hasn’t. Thomas brushed these remarks aside, claiming that being well-groomed does not always imply having had surgery. She says, “But even if you did want to—go ahead!” in support of the notion that people should feel free to undergo plastic surgery if they so want.
Cher’s Impact and Personal Independence
Marlo Thomas like the way singer Cher responds to criticism over her own cosmetic procedures. Cher reportedly asserted that she could place her nose on her butt if she so desired, emphasizing the value of having personal control over one’s physical appearance. Thomas agrees, stating that she is unconcerned with the decisions that other people make about their bodies.
Individual Choices and Family Impact
It has been stated that Thomas, who has been outspoken about her body image, had plastic surgery to alter the curve of her nose. Her father Danny Thomas, who also underwent nose surgery, reportedly told her that if she inherited his nose, she should get into comedy. Though he encouraged her to accept her natural look, Thomas decided to have cosmetic surgery.
Influence on Popular Culture
Marlo Thomas’s plastic surgery has had an impact that goes beyond her individual encounters. The television writer Mindy Schneider disclosed in her autobiography, “Not a Happy Camper,” that her mother desired for her to undergo a nose job performed by the same physician who treated Thomas. This illustrates the demands of cosmetic surgery in the entertainment business as well as its wider cultural impact.
Accepting Personal Decisions
Marlo Thomas ultimately argues that individuals need to be free to make decisions regarding their bodies without fear of condemnation or censure. Her position emphasizes how important it is to accept people’s choices, regardless of whether they include cosmetic surgery or other personal choices.
In conclusion, Marlo Thomas’s change through plastic surgery has generated a great deal of public discussion, yet her dedication to individual freedom and body positivity is still evident. Her path, whether praised or criticized, sheds insight on the nuanced relationship between individual choice, beauty standards, and notoriety.
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