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John Thompson(1941-2020)

  • Actor
  • Soundtrack
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
John Thompson
More than two decades after his tragic cocaine overdose, the late Len Bias still leaves more questions than answers. When Bias dropped dead two days after the 1986 NBA Draft, he forever altered our perception of casual drug use and became the tipping point of America's drug crisis in the mid-80's.

Future generations continue to face the harsh punishment of drug policies that were influenced by the public outcry after his heartbreaking death. Instead of becoming an NBA star, he became a one-man deterrent, the athlete who reminded everyone just how dangerous drug use can be.

Amazingly, questions still linger about his death nearly a quarter-century later. How good could he have been in the pro ranks? Has he become underrated or overrated as the years pass? How could a University of Maryland superstar and Boston Celtics lottery pick be derailed by a cocaine binge? Was Bias a one-time user as we were led to believe, or was there a pattern of recreational use that led to his fatal last night? Did he fall in with the wrong crowd?

In the most ambitious, comprehensive and uncompromising account of Bias' life and death ever captured on film director Kirk Fraser utilizes dozens of interviews with Bias' closest teammates, friends and family in an effort to determine exactly what happened on that fateful night. Maybe it wasn't as much of a fluke as we thought.
Play trailer2:42
Without Bias (2009)
1 Video
11 Photos
John Robert Thompson Jr. (born September 2, 1941) is a former American college basketball coach for the Georgetown Hoyas. He is now a professional radio and TV sports commentator. In 1984, he became the first African-American head coach to win a major collegiate championship, capturing the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship when Georgetown, led by Patrick Ewing, defeated the University of Houston 84-75.
BornSeptember 2, 1941
DiedAugust 30, 2020(78)
BornSeptember 2, 1941
DiedAugust 30, 2020(78)
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank

Photos11

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Known for

Denzel Washington in He Got Game (1998)
He Got Game
6.9
  • John Thompson
  • 1998
Marlon Wayans and Kadeem Hardison in The Sixth Man (1997)
The Sixth Man
5.7
  • John Thompson
  • 1997
Special Squad (1984)
Special Squad
7.9
TV Series
  • Driver
First Monday (2002)
First Monday
7.3
TV Series
  • John Thompson

Credits

IMDbPro

Actor



  • Bigfoot in Wonderland (2024)
    Bigfoot in Wonderland
    • 2024
  • Jurassic Planet Christmas
    Short
    • 2023
  • Morris Chestnut, Shad Moss, Steve Nash, and Dirk Nowitzki in Like Mike (2002)
    Like Mike
    5.5
    • John Thompson (uncredited)
    • 2002
  • First Monday (2002)
    First Monday
    7.3
    TV Series
    • John Thompson
    • 2002
  • Denzel Washington in He Got Game (1998)
    He Got Game
    6.9
    • John Thompson
    • 1998
  • Marlon Wayans and Kadeem Hardison in The Sixth Man (1997)
    The Sixth Man
    5.7
    • John Thompson
    • 1997
  • Holly Robinson Peete, Mark Curry, Sandra Quarterman, Raven-Symoné, and Marquise Wilson in Hangin' with Mr. Cooper (1992)
    Hangin' with Mr. Cooper
    6.4
    TV Series
    • John Thompson
    • 1995
  • The Exorcist III (1990)
    The Exorcist III
    6.5
    • John Thompson - Georgetown Hoyas Basketball Coach (uncredited)
    • 1990
  • Special Squad (1984)
    Special Squad
    7.9
    TV Series
    • Driver
    • 1984

Soundtrack



  • Jazz Scene at the Ronnie Scott Club (1969)
    Jazz Scene at the Ronnie Scott Club
    7.2
    TV Series
    • arranger: "Blowing In The Wind", "I'm Gettin' Ready"
    • 1969

Videos1

LEN BIAS TRAILER
Trailer 2:42
LEN BIAS TRAILER

Personal details

  • Height
    • 6′ 10″ (2.08 m)
  • Born
    • September 2, 1941
    • Washington, District of Columbia, USA
  • Died
    • August 30, 2020
    • Arlington, Virginia, USA(long illness)
  • Spouse
    • Gwendolyn TwittyJune 1965 - December 9, 1999 (divorced, 3 children)
  • Publicity listings
    • 1 Interview
    • 2 Articles
    • 1 Magazine Cover Photo

Did you know

  • Trivia
    Enshrined as a coach in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999.

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