Jonah Hill's connection to the late Lakers legend Kobe Bryant involves his brother, who passed away back in 2017.
The American actor took to Instagram yesterday to post a pair of photos depicting him and his brother, Jordan Feldstein, sitting courtside at a Lakers game next to Byrant.
Hill reminisced about how he and his brother - who died suddenly aged 40 after a blood clot blocked an artery in his lungs - were "buzzing with excitement to meet our hero".
Watch as Shaquille O'Neal gives a tearful tribute to Kobe Bryant"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 [sic]," he wrote in the caption.
"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."
Hill then went onto note how both men have now passed away;
"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 shit 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," he concluded.
Bryant, who was 41-years-old, was traveling on a helicopter over Calabasas, California, with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, when it crashed, killing them and seven others last Sunday.
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