Shaquille O’Neal, or just Shaq as he is popularly referred to, is a four-time NBA champion with a basketball career that spans 19 years. Shaq is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players ever. He spends much of his time these days as a sports analyst for the TNT show, Inside the NBA. Shaq has also managed to build a business empire outside basketball. Forbes estimates that the former Lakers player is worth $400 million. This makes him one of the wealthiest retired basketball players. Shaq’s investment portfolio includes companies like General Electric, Apple, and PepsiCo. Additionally, he was an early investor in Google.
Yet, Shaq has always been an entertainer, leading him to dabble in other genres besides sports. O’Neal has five studio albums and one compilation project. Unbelievably, most of his discography was recorded during his prime NBA years. Further, his debut Shaq Diesel received platinum certification from the RIAA. It’s hard to imagine Shaq as a serious musician even after a substantial discography and a platinum certification. Did you know that he did a song with Michael Jackson? It was called “2 Bad” and was featured in Jackson’s HIStory album.
O’Neal is also a bona fide cameo star. He has appeared in numerous movies and television shows, primarily as himself. Additionally, Shaq starred in his own superhero movie based on DC characters in 1997. His feature run on blockbuster movies is impressive. Here are some films that were just a little better because they received the ‘Shaq-treatment’.
Hubie Halloween (2020)
Hubie Halloween is a horror comedy film co-written by Tim Herlihy and Adam Sandler. Adam also plays the lead role of Hubie. Hubie Halloween premiered in 2020 and can be streamed on Netflix. The plot follows the title character, a deli employee, who is ridiculed by his town and is the butt of many practical jokes. Hubie spends his Halloweens monitoring the city as the official Halloween Helper.
Then, he investigates a mysterious phenomenon in the city and reports it to the police. Sgt. Steve Downey (Kevin James) jokingly recruits Hubie as an ‘Auxiliary Undercover Unit.’ The ‘AUU’ is a false title that Sgt. Downey gives to Hubie so that he does not bother him. Hubie, however, takes the title seriously. He later meets DJ Aurora, played by Shaq. Aurora is a radio DJ who has a woman’s voice. Hubie’s disbelief of DJ Aurora being a man and subsequent banter between the two makes for a hilarious scene. To finish it up, it is also revealed that DJ Aurora’s wife has a raspy manly voice.
What Men Want (2019)
What Men Want is a romantic comedy that stars Taraji P. Henson, Erykah Badu, and Tracy Morgan. The movie premiered in 2019 and is a loose adaptation of the 2000 film, What Women Want, which stars Mel Gibson. The film was considered a success managing to gross $72.2 million at the global box office against a production budget of $20 million. Taraji plays Alison Davis, a successful sports agent in Atlanta. She inadvertently drinks a potent concoction given by a shaman and gains the ability to hear men’s inner thoughts. Shaq is Alison’s client and plays himself in the movie. Alison and Shaq are in the same scene during one of the poker nights. Tracy Morgan steals the scene, but Shaq’s brief cameo is Shaq being classic Shaq.
Uncle Drew (2018)
Uncle Drew is a sports comedy film directed by Charles Stone III and released by Lionsgate in June 2018. Kyrie Irving is the star of the film. His co-stars include former basketball players Chris Webber, Reggie Miller, Nate Robinson, Lisa Leslie, and Shaq. Mike Epps and Tiffany Haddish are also featured in the film.
O’Neal plays the character of Big Fella, a former basketball player who now runs a martial arts dojo. He reluctantly joined his former teammates to create a team to compete in a basketball tournament. Sadly, Big Fella has a heart attack during one of the games and cannot continue with the tournament.
Blended (2014)
Blended is a wholesome romantic comedy that stars Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. Sandler and Barrymore play single parents who agree to go on one date without expecting to see each other again. Sandler, Jack Giarraputo, and Mike Karz co-produced the film. Shaq also appears in the film playing the character of Doug. He is friends with Jim Friedman (Sandler), and they work together at a department store. Blended is one of multiple Adam Sandler movies that Shaq has been featured.
Grown Ups 2 (2013)
Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, and David Spade star in the off-beat comedy about friendship and family. Shaq plays the supporting role of Officer Fluzoo. He patrols the town and interacts with the main characters throughout the film. Officer Fluzzo initially comes off as intimidating, but he reveals his friendly and quirky demeanor as the movie progresses.
One of the more memorable and humorous scenes that feature Shaq is at a police station where Officer Fluzzo engages Eric Lamonsoff (James) in a dance battle. Grown Ups 2 was not a critic favorite but has managed to gross $128 million at the global box office. It’s cult classic appeal proves that critics may not always be right.
Scary Movie 4 (2006)
Scary Movie 4 is the fourth installment of the Scary Movie parody film series. The movie stars Regina Hall and Anna Faris, among others. Comedian Kevin Hart also plays a part in the film. Lil Jon, Dr. Phil, and Shaq appear as themselves. The Scary Movie franchise usually finds niche success, and the fourth installment amassed $178 million at the global box office. Shaq’s scene with Dr. Phil is hilarious. It pokes fun at his free throws and Dr. Phil’s emotional weaknesses.
Jack and Jill (2011)
Jack and Jill is a 2011 comedy directed by Dennis Dugan. Steve Koren and Adam Sandler co-wrote the script. The film was released in November 2011 and grossed $149 million at the box office from a $79 million production budget. Adam Sandler plays twins Jack and Jill in the movie. Katie Holmes and Eugenio Derbez also feature in the film. Al Pacino appears as himself, and Shaq also makes a brief cameo in the film.