Rick Fox

Rick Fox – Life, Career, and Notable Works

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Rick Fox (born July 24, 1969) is a Canadian–Bahamian former NBA star turned actor, entrepreneur, and esports team owner. Learn about his athletic achievements, acting roles, business ventures, and personal journey.

Introduction

Ulrich Alexander “Rick” Fox (born July 24, 1969) is a multifaceted public figure known for his success as a professional basketball player in the NBA and later as an actor, producer, and entrepreneur.

While many know him from his athletic career with teams like the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers, Fox has also built a robust career in television and film, as well as in the world of esports and business.

Early Life and Family

• Rick Fox was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on July 24, 1969.

• His mother is Dianne Gerace, a Canadian former track & field athlete who competed in the high jump and pentathlon at the Olympics.

• His father is Bahamian. Fox thus holds dual heritage—Canadian and Bahamian.

• When he was young, his family moved to the Bahamas. He attended Kingsway Academy in Nassau, Bahamas, where he played basketball for the school’s team.

While in high school, Fox spent time in Warsaw, Indiana as an exchange student and played basketball there too. However, before his senior year, a ruling by the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) disqualified him from playing due to eligibility rules.

Athletic Career

College Career

• After high school, Fox attended the University of North Carolina (UNC), where he played for the Tar Heels between 1987 and 1991.

• His performances at UNC helped him attract attention for the NBA draft.

NBA Career

• In the 1991 NBA Draft, Fox was selected in the first round as the 24th overall pick by the Boston Celtics.

• His tenure in Boston lasted until 1997. During that time:

  • He made the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 1992.

  • He became a consistent contributor, often in double figures in scoring.

  • He wore jersey number 44 for the Celtics.

• In 1997, he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.

• With the Lakers, Fox achieved great success:

  • He won three NBA Championships (2000, 2001, 2002) as part of the Lakers’ dominant early-2000s team.

  • He played roles as starter and key role player during playoff runs.

In total, his NBA career spanned 1991 to 2004.

Acting & Entertainment Career

After and even during his sports career, Fox began pursuing acting. His roles span dramatic television, films, guest appearances, and recurring roles.

Early Screen Roles

• While still a basketball player, he appeared in the sports drama Blue Chips (1994).

• In Eddie (1996), he played Terry Hastings—a role that combined basketball and acting.

• He also took on the role of Jackson Vahue on the HBO series Oz, appearing in multiple episodes between 1997 and 2003.

• He had supporting roles in Resurrection (1999) and Holes (2003) as Clyde “Sweetfeet” Livingston.

Later & Recurring Roles

• After retiring from basketball in 2004, his acting career accelerated:

  • He guest-starred in shows like Kevin Hill, Melrose Place, One Tree Hill, Ugly Betty.

  • He appeared in The Big Bang Theory playing Glenn in the episode “The Love Car Displacement.”

  • He took recurring roles in The Game, Meet the Browns, Greenleaf, Sin City Saints, Sharknado and others.

  • In 2022, the Bahamian government appointed him Ambassador-at-large for Sports.

Reality, Hosting & Voice Work

• He competed in Dancing with the Stars in 2010, finishing in sixth place.

• He hosted The Jace Hall Show for several episodes.

• He appeared as a guest judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race.

• He provided voices in animated shows, such as on The Fairly OddParents.

Business & Other Ventures

Esports & Gaming

• Fox owned the esports franchise Echo Fox, acquired via rebranding of Gravity Gaming in 2015.

• In 2019, he left the organization amid controversy over a co-investor’s racist comments and disagreements about values.

Philanthropy & Public Roles

• In addition to his appointment as Sports Ambassador, Fox has been involved in various public-facing roles and advocacy.

Personal Life

• Rick Fox eloped with singer/actress Vanessa Williams in 1999; the couple had a daughter, Sasha, born in 2000. They divorced in 2004.

• He has a son, Kyle, from a previous relationship.

• From 2009 to 2014, he was in a relationship with actress Eliza Dushku.

• In January 2020, false rumors circulated that Fox had died in the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant. He publicly refuted those claims.

Legacy & Impact

Rick Fox is one of the relatively few athletes who successfully transitioned into a sustained entertainment and business career after sports.

His achievements in the NBA—with three championships—give him athletic credibility. His later acting roles, voice work, and public presence demonstrate versatility and adaptability.

His involvement in emerging industries (esports) shows his willingness to bridge sports, media, and technology.

Fox’s multicultural background (Canadian, Bahamian heritage) also positions him as a cross-cultural figure in North American media.