Lakers G KOBE BRYANT Saturday afternoon left his handprints and footprints "on the sidewalk in front of Grauman's Chinese Theater," becoming the "first athlete to be so immortalized among actors and actresses," according to Janis Carr of the ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER. Bryant said he never in his "wildest dreams ever thought something like this would happen." He added that the ceremony "would make him 'more Hollywood'" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 2/20). In L.A., Andrea Chang reported the ceremony was hosted by ABC's JIMMY KIMMEL and included short speeches by several people, including Lakers Exec VP/Business Operations JEANIE BUSS and actor/comedian GEORGE LOPEZ. Fans "swarmed Hollywood Boulevard to catch a glimpse" of Bryant, with some "lining up as early as 6 am." Several hundred fans "were allowed into the theater for the half-hour ceremony, which was moved inside because of rain." The celebration continued Saturday night with a "star-studded party at Hollywood's Boulevard 3 nightclub" (LATIMES.com, 2/19).
MAMBA NO. 24: Screenvision on Friday announced an exclusive deal with Nike to premiere the six-minute film "THE BLACK MAMBA," which stars Bryant and is directed by ROBERT RODRIGUEZ, in L.A. area theaters. The film will be part of the pre-movie features for PG-13 and R rated films. The deal runs through Thursday (Screenvision). Bryant Friday night unveiled the film "alongside fellow athletes and stars such as KANYE WEST" at the W Hotel in Hollywood (LATIMES.com, 2/20).
