Drama Off the Court

In addition to being an All-Star player and head coach of the Boston Celtics, Bill Russell tried his hand at acting. In 1967, Russell guest-starred in Chuck Connors’ series “Cowboy in Africa” by playing a ranch hand named Jasiri. The producers and Russell were open to other appearances, but the show was canceled after one season. Connors, who played 53 games with the Celtics in the 1940s as well as nine seasons of professional baseball, had since become a film and TV star. In reference to acting in a play in 1985, Russell said, “I’d like to be good. I hope I will be. But I don’t think Laurence Olivier is going to stay up nights worrying about the competition.”