Bernard King is best known for his 14-season NBA career with teams like the New Jersey Nets, Utah Jazz, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, and Washington Bullets. The four-time NBA All-Star led the NBA in scoring in the 1984–85 season. He also earned his place in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.
But King didn’t stop there—he dipped his toes into acting, appearing in two TV series and one movie. However, despite his talent in both arenas, his lack of full commitment prevented him from reaching his highest potential in acting or basketball.
What Roles Has Bernard King Taken On in Movies and TV?
Bernard King took on the role of Matt Ferguson, the son of Judge Roger Ferguson (played by Bill Russell), in the “Miami Vice” episode titled “The Fix.” In this episode, King played a basketball star for the fictitious Florida Sunblazers. He also appeared in the 1979 movie “Fast Break” alongside Reb Brown and had a guest role in an episode of “Paper Dolls.” Beyond acting, King stepped into the producer role for the TV series “30 for 30.” He’s also set to appear in “Sheldon Mashugana Meets the Vampire Wrestler Wrestling Event Extra.”
Currently, King works part-time as a broadcaster for NBA TV and the MSG Network. He occasionally fills in as a color commentator when Walt Frazier is on vacation. King’s versatility has allowed him to stay connected to basketball while exploring various roles in television and film.
How Bernard King’s Legal Troubles Impacted His Career?
Bernard King’s career was overshadowed by legal issues. In July 1977, just a month after the Nets drafted him, King was arrested for burglary. He broke into a UT athletics building to steal a television. Earlier, he had faced suspension from the Tennessee team due to marijuana possession (later acquitted), drunk driving, and resisting arrest. The arrest followed an incident where police found him in a hallway after a woman reported a break-in.
In December 1978, the NYPD arrested King while he slept in his car with less than $10 worth of cocaine. He faced several misdemeanor charges, which were later dropped. In January 1980, King was arrested in Salt Lake City for alleged forcible sexual assault. He pleaded guilty to attempted forcible sexual abuse and received a fine and suspended sentence.
In his 2017 autobiography, King admitted to battling alcohol addiction in the late 1970s. After his 1980 arrest, he spent a month in a California rehab center and sought help through Alcoholics Anonymous.
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After retiring from basketball, King’s legal troubles continued. In August 1994, he was arrested in New York for assaulting a 22-year-old woman. In October 2004, he faced arrest for battering his wife Shana, leading to dropped charges after he agreed to marriage counseling. This incident cost him a promotional relationship and led to his removal as an honoree of the Brooklyn Public Library.
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