Jonah Hill has praised the late Kobe Bryant as "funny, amazing, and kind".
The 41-year-old basketball legend was among nine people killed when his private helicopter crashed on Sunday (26.01.20), and Jonah has now opened up on his experience with meeting Kobe, whom he met at an LA Lakers basketball game with his late brother Jordan Feldstein.
Posting a picture of himself sitting next to Kobe, Jonah wrote on Instagram: "This picture became a funny internet thing years back and it always made me laugh when I’d see memes of it . I used to love ‘on purpose, very awkward photos’ whenever I was around someone I respected and this is about as comically awkward as it gets. Ah, your early 20s. It’s a dumb bit but I really liked it at the time. I hesitate to post this as it’s usually connected to humor.
"But for me this photo represents a LOT more. I’m sitting next to my brother and he’s taking this. It was the night we both met Kobe and he was so nice to us. So funny, so amazing and so kind (in the middle of a game!). My brother and I grew up worshiping the Lakers and because of my job we got to sit next to Kobe and the whole team! I have lived a privileged life. Truly. (sic)"
Jonah, 36, says the memory is his "favourite" with his late sibling, who died in 2017 after suffering a heart attack, and said he can’t believe both Jordan and Kobe have now passed.
He added: "We were literally buzzing with excitement to meet our hero and it’s one of my favorite memories ever. It’s my favorite memory with my brother . I’m sitting between Kobe and my brother and now they’re both gone. I have been staring at this photo for days in disbelief and sadness and joy. It’s my favorite picture and I think it represents for me, all of the hard and amazing things in life and how fleeting they are. But their fleeting nature doesn’t make them any less beautiful.
"I’ve been thinking a lot about saying Rest In Peace and what that means. But I don’t think Kobe or my brother are resting. I think they’re hustling up there. Working hard and getting s**t done. Cuz that’s what they do. All my love to the ones here left behind. Take care of each other and love each other . That’s the lesson I’ve learned (sic)"
Kobe’s 13-year-old daughter Gianna also died in the crash, and the pair are survived by Kobe’s wife Vanessa and his three other daughters, Natalia, 17, three-year-old Bianka and seven-month-old Capri.
Jonah Hill praises ‘amazing’ Kobe Bryant
