Earvin "Magic" Johnson #32 sits in a locker room. (Photo by Focus on Sport)
Gallery of Magic Johnson
1979
200 N 7th St, Terre Haute, IN 47809, United States
Magic Johnson #33 of the Michigan State University Spartans looks down low for an open man against #33 Larry Bird of the Indiana State University Sycamores in Salt Lake City, Utah on March 26, 1979. (Photo by Michigan State)
Gallery of Magic Johnson
1979
Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Larry Bird (33) handing the ball to Michigan State Magic Johnson (33) during the championship game. (Photo by James Drake)
Gallery of Magic Johnson
1979
Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Magic Johnson (33) and Indiana State Larry Bird (33) lining up for a foul shot during the game. (Photo by James Drake)
Gallery of Magic Johnson
1980
3900 W Manchester Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90305, United States
Julius Erving #6 of the Philadelphia 76ers battles for rebound position against Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers during an NBA game at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Jim Cummins)
Gallery of Magic Johnson
1980
Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers pours a bottle of champagne over the owner of the Lakers Jerry Buss after winning Game 6 of the 1980 finals and defeating the Philadelphia 76ers four games to two during the 1979-80 NBA Championships on May 16, 1980, at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Lakers defeated the 76ers 123-107 to win the series. (Photo by Focus on Sport)
Gallery of Magic Johnson
1980
Magic Johnson #32 dribbles during a game. (Photo by Focus on Sport)
Gallery of Magic Johnson
1980
Philadelphia, PA, USA
Magic Johnson (32) in action vs Philadelphia 76ers. (Photo by Manny Millan)
Gallery of Magic Johnson
1980
Magic Johnson, wearing his Los Angeles Lakers no 32 shirts, advertising a hair product, 1980. (Photo by Afro American Newspapers)
Gallery of Magic Johnson
1982
50 NJ-120, East Rutherford, NJ 07073, United States
(L to R): Assistant Coach Bill Bertka, Bernard King, Lonnie Shelton, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Jack Sikma, Gus Williams, Adrian Dantley & Norm Nixon. Back Row - Head Coach Pat Riley, Alex English, Dennis Johnson, Moses Malone, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, George Gervin & Trainer Don Sparks, prior to the 1982 NBA All-Star game at the Brendan Byrne Arena on January 31, 1982, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by NBAE)
Gallery of Magic Johnson
1983
3900 W Manchester Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90305, United States
Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers passes the ball up court during an NBA basketball game circa 1983 at The Forum in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Focus on Sport)
Gallery of Magic Johnson
1985
100 Legends Way, Boston, MA 02114, United States
Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with the trophy after winning the NBA Championship during Game Six of the 1985 NBA Finals on June 9, 1985, at Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Ron Koch)
Gallery of Magic Johnson
1990
Magic Johnson
Gallery of Magic Johnson
1991
3900 W Manchester Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90305, United States
Magic Johnson holds a press conference at the Great Western Forum. Johnson announced his retirement from basketball and from the Los Angels Lakers team, after being diagnosed HIV positive. (Photo by Bill Nation)
Gallery of Magic Johnson
2014
El Segundo, California, USA
Johnson attends the launch of SportsNet LA on February 25, 2014, in El Segundo, California. (Photo by Jerod Harris)
Gallery of Magic Johnson
2016
1111 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90015, United States
Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers hugs NBA Legend, Magic Johnson, after he introduces him before his last game against the Utah Jazz on April 13, 2016, at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein)
Gallery of Magic Johnson
2016
620 T St NW, Washington, DC 20001, United States
Magic Johnson Jr. attends America's Promise Alliance's Promise Night Gala 2016 where he received an award at Howard Theatre on April 20, 2016, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kris Connor)
Gallery of Magic Johnson
2017
El Segundo, California, USA
Magic Johnson, president of basketball operations of the Los Angeles Lakers, speaks during media day September 25, 2017, in El Segundo, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian)
Gallery of Magic Johnson
2017
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Johnson delivers a keynote address at Global Gaming Expo on October 5, 2017, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Isaac Brekken)
Gallery of Magic Johnson
2018
3780 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89158, United States
Los Angeles Lakers president of basketball operations Earvin "Magic" Johnson arrives at the Lakers' preseason game against the Golden State Warriors at T-Mobile Arena on October 10, 2018, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller)
Gallery of Magic Johnson
2018
1111 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90015, United States
Kobe Bryant left and Earvin Magic Johnson, president of basketball operations of the Lakers talk during the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets on October 25, 2018, at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robert Laberge)
Gallery of Magic Johnson
2018
1000 Vin Scully Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States
Magic Johnson waves to the fans prior to Game Three of the 2018 World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Boston Red Sox at Dodger Stadium on October 26, 2018, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw)
Gallery of Magic Johnson
2018
6121 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028, United States
Magic Johnson Enterprises Chairman and CEO Magic Johnson speak onstage at the SUPERCHARGED Summit By Kwanza Jones At NeueHouse Hollywood on October 27, 2018, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant)
Gallery of Magic Johnson
2018
225 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036, United States
Magic Johnson attends the opening night of "To Kill A Mocking Bird" at the Shubert Theatre on December 13, 2018, in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic)
Gallery of Magic Johnson
2018
225 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036, United States
Magic Johnson, Cookie Johnson, and EJ Johnson attend the opening night of "To Kill A Mocking Bird" at the Shubert Theatre on December 13, 2018, in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic)
Gallery of Magic Johnson
2019
534 Birch Rd, East Lansing, MI 48824, United States
Earvin "Magic" Johnson speaks to the crowd during halftime of the game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Breslin Center on February 9, 2019, in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio)
Gallery of Magic Johnson
2019
1111 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90015, United States
Magic Johnson resigns as the Lakers' president of basketball operations prior to a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center on April 09, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky)
Gallery of Magic Johnson
2019
10 South St, New York, NY 10004, United States
Magic Johnson attends the 29th Annual Achilles Gala at Cipriani South Street on November 20, 2019, in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin)
Achievements
Membership
Awards
NBA Lifetime Achievement Award
2019
3021 Airport Ave Suite 203, Santa Monica, CA 90405, United States
(L-R) Larry Bird and Magic Johnson accept the Lifetime Achievement Awards onstage during the 2019 NBA Awards presented by Kia on TNT at Barker Hangar on June 24, 2019, in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter)
200 N 7th St, Terre Haute, IN 47809, United States
Magic Johnson #33 of the Michigan State University Spartans looks down low for an open man against #33 Larry Bird of the Indiana State University Sycamores in Salt Lake City, Utah on March 26, 1979. (Photo by Michigan State)
3900 W Manchester Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90305, United States
Julius Erving #6 of the Philadelphia 76ers battles for rebound position against Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers during an NBA game at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Jim Cummins)
Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers pours a bottle of champagne over the owner of the Lakers Jerry Buss after winning Game 6 of the 1980 finals and defeating the Philadelphia 76ers four games to two during the 1979-80 NBA Championships on May 16, 1980, at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Lakers defeated the 76ers 123-107 to win the series. (Photo by Focus on Sport)
50 NJ-120, East Rutherford, NJ 07073, United States
(L to R): Assistant Coach Bill Bertka, Bernard King, Lonnie Shelton, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Jack Sikma, Gus Williams, Adrian Dantley & Norm Nixon. Back Row - Head Coach Pat Riley, Alex English, Dennis Johnson, Moses Malone, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, George Gervin & Trainer Don Sparks, prior to the 1982 NBA All-Star game at the Brendan Byrne Arena on January 31, 1982, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by NBAE)
3900 W Manchester Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90305, United States
Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers passes the ball up court during an NBA basketball game circa 1983 at The Forum in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Focus on Sport)
Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with the trophy after winning the NBA Championship during Game Six of the 1985 NBA Finals on June 9, 1985, at Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Ron Koch)
3900 W Manchester Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90305, United States
Magic Johnson holds a press conference at the Great Western Forum. Johnson announced his retirement from basketball and from the Los Angels Lakers team, after being diagnosed HIV positive. (Photo by Bill Nation)
1111 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90015, United States
Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers hugs NBA Legend, Magic Johnson, after he introduces him before his last game against the Utah Jazz on April 13, 2016, at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein)
Magic Johnson Jr. attends America's Promise Alliance's Promise Night Gala 2016 where he received an award at Howard Theatre on April 20, 2016, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kris Connor)
Magic Johnson, president of basketball operations of the Los Angeles Lakers, speaks during media day September 25, 2017, in El Segundo, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian)
3780 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89158, United States
Los Angeles Lakers president of basketball operations Earvin "Magic" Johnson arrives at the Lakers' preseason game against the Golden State Warriors at T-Mobile Arena on October 10, 2018, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller)
1111 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90015, United States
Kobe Bryant left and Earvin Magic Johnson, president of basketball operations of the Lakers talk during the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets on October 25, 2018, at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robert Laberge)
1000 Vin Scully Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States
Magic Johnson waves to the fans prior to Game Three of the 2018 World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Boston Red Sox at Dodger Stadium on October 26, 2018, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw)
6121 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028, United States
Magic Johnson Enterprises Chairman and CEO Magic Johnson speak onstage at the SUPERCHARGED Summit By Kwanza Jones At NeueHouse Hollywood on October 27, 2018, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant)
Magic Johnson attends the opening night of "To Kill A Mocking Bird" at the Shubert Theatre on December 13, 2018, in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic)
Magic Johnson, Cookie Johnson, and EJ Johnson attend the opening night of "To Kill A Mocking Bird" at the Shubert Theatre on December 13, 2018, in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic)
3021 Airport Ave Suite 203, Santa Monica, CA 90405, United States
(L-R) Larry Bird and Magic Johnson accept the Lifetime Achievement Awards onstage during the 2019 NBA Awards presented by Kia on TNT at Barker Hangar on June 24, 2019, in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter)
534 Birch Rd, East Lansing, MI 48824, United States
Earvin "Magic" Johnson speaks to the crowd during halftime of the game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Breslin Center on February 9, 2019, in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio)
1111 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90015, United States
Magic Johnson resigns as the Lakers' president of basketball operations prior to a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center on April 09, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky)
(He's faced challenges all of his life, but now Magic John...)
He's faced challenges all of his life, but now Magic Johnson faces the biggest challenge of all, his own brave battle with HIV. In this dramatic, exciting, and inspirational autobiography, Magic Johnson allows readers into his life, into his triumphs and tragedies on and off the court. In his own exuberant style, he tells readers of the friends and family who've been constant supporters and the basketball greats he's worked with.
(The basketball superstar reveals his thoughts while execu...)
The basketball superstar reveals his thoughts while executing some of the most intricate and complicated plays in basketball and provides witty anecdotes about his family, coaches, teammates, and rivals.
(As a young man, Earvin "Magic" Johnson admired his father...)
As a young man, Earvin "Magic" Johnson admired his father and other small-town entrepreneurs who created jobs and served as leaders in his Midwestern community. He worked for them, watched them, and his interest in building communities through economic development grew even while his basketball career flourished.
(From the moment these two legendary players took the cour...)
From the moment these two legendary players took the court on opposing sides, they engaged in a fierce physical and psychological battle. With intimate detail, When the Game Was Ours transports readers to an electric era and reveals for the first time the inner workings of two players dead set on besting each other.
Magic Johnson is an American businessman, athlete, and author. Johnson dominated the court as one of professional basketball's best players for 13 years and is counted among the greatest basketball players of all time. After retirement, he has built up a business empire, which includes real estate holdings, Starbucks franchises, movie theaters, and shares of professional sports teams.
Background
Magic Johnson was born on August 14, 1959, in Lansing, Michigan, the United States, the middle of seven children. His father, Earvin Sr., was a General Motors assembly worker, and mother Christine, worked as a janitor and cafeteria worker at a local school while taking primary responsibility for rearing the children. His father also hauled trash at night to make extra money.
Both of his parents were interested in basketball and his father had played high school basketball in his home state of Mississippi. Young Earvin also developed an early interest in the sport.
Education
Johnson went to Everett High School and was one of the school’s star basketball players. At Everett High School, Johnson earned his famous nickname, "Magic," after a sportswriter witnessed him compile 36 points, 16 rebounds, and 16 assists in a single game. He was an intense competitor who led his high school team to a state championship in 1977.
He then attended Michigan State University. Once again he proved to be an exceptional player and dazzled throughout his collegiate career. In his second year, Michigan State won the national college basketball championship by defeating Indiana State University, a team led by future Boston Celtics star Larry Bird. Johnson scored twenty-four points and was chosen Most Valuable Player (MVP).
Johnson led Michigan State University to the National Collegiate Athletic Association championship in 1979 handing Larry Bird and Indiana State its only defeat of that season. Johnson left Michigan State after his sophomore season. The Spartans proved victorious, and the Johnson-Bird rivalry would follow the players to their days with the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Leaving college after two years, Johnson was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979. He did well in his first season (1979-1980) with the team, averaging 18 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game. He became the first rookie to start in an NBA All-Star game. The Lakers went on to defeat the Philadelphia 76ers for the NBA championship, and Johnson became the youngest player ever to be named playoff MVP. After a good show in the initial seasons, he signed a 25-year, $25-million contract with the Lakers.
During Johnson's third season (1981-1982) with the team, the Lakers made the NBA Finals again. For the second time in his pro career, the Lakers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers for the championship title. Additionally, Johnson, who scored 13 points and added 13 rebounds with 13 assists in Game 6 of the 1982 Finals, earned his second series MVP award. The following season (1982-1983) saw the third Finals match-up between the Lakers and the 76ers in four years.
In 1985 the Lakers won their third NBA title, defeating Bird and the Boston Celtics. He registered a career-high of 23.9 points, as well as 12.2 assists and 6.3 rebounds per game in the 1986-1987 season. The Lakers faced the Celtics once again in the 1987 NBA Finals, and Johnson played the game-winning shot and was awarded a Finals MVP title.
His great form continued over the next few years and he scored 22.5 points, 12.8 assists, and 7.9 rebounds per game in the 1988-1989 NBA season. Once again the Lakers reached the NBA Finals in 1989, but an injury kept Johnson away from the action, and his team lost to the Pistons.
In November 1991, Johnson retired from the Lakers after revealing that he had HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. He believed he contracted the disease through unprotected sexual activity. Johnson's decision to go public with his medical condition helped raise awareness about the disease. He established the Magic Johnson Foundation to support HIV/AIDS research efforts and awareness programs that same year. In 1992, he wrote the educational guide What You Can Do to Avoid AIDS.
However, his love for basketball made him return to the NBA as the coach of the Lakers near the end of the 1993-1994 NBA season. Initially, he found some success as the coach and the team played well under him, but later on, the team went through a ten-game losing streak following which he resigned as the coach. He then bought a small share of the team.
He made a comeback as a player by re-joining the Lakers during the 1995-1996 NBA season. In February, he scored 15 points, along with 10 rebounds and 13 assists in a victory against the Atlanta Hawks. He averaged 14.6 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game in 32 games in the season. He then retired for good following the season.
Just as he had dominated the courts, Johnson became a powerful force in business. He created Magic Johnson Enterprises, which has a variety of holdings. Much of his efforts have focused on developing urban areas, bringing Starbucks coffee franchises and movie theaters into underserved communities. In 2008, he shared his secrets for success with the book 32 Ways to be a Champion in Business.
Johnson then teamed up with his old rival Bird to write the 2009 book When the Game Was Ours, which explores their rivalry, their experiences on the court, and the sport they love. That same year, he was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame. After selling his stake in the Lakers in 2010, Johnson joined an ownership group that purchased the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team in 2012. He also became part-owner of the minor-league Dayton Dragons and the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA.
In 2012 he was part of an ownership group that purchased the Los Angeles Dodgers. He rejoined the Lakers franchise as an adviser to Jeanie Buss, the team’s owner, in 2017. Johnson formally returned to the Lakers in early 2017 as president of basketball operations. He made a splash in July 2018 by signing megastar free agent LeBron James, but abruptly resigned his post at the end of the 2018-2019 NBA season.
(He's faced challenges all of his life, but now Magic John...)
1992
Religion
Magic Johnson is a Christian.
Politics
Johnson is a supporter of the Democratic Party. He publicly criticized Donald Trump and supported Hillary Clinton's presidential campaigns in both 2007 and 2015. In 2012, he endorsed Barack Obama.
Views
Magic is a prominent HIV/AIDS activist. He is the founder of the Magic Johnson Foundation, an organization dedicated to combating HIV/AIDS, which works to support a number of healthy, educational, and social initiatives. The foundation has also established community empowerment centers. He is was the main speaker for the United Nations World AIDS Day Conference in 1999.
Johnson invests in Uncharted Power (formerly known as Uncharted Play), a company that uses its renewable kinetic energy solutions to generate clean, consistent, and cost-efficient power for communities, facilities, and the Internet of Things. Johnson also invests in Walker & Company Brands, the company that makes health & beauty simple for people of color by developing products and services tailored to their needs.
In May 2020, Johnson announces that EquiTrust Life Insurance Co., of which he owns a majority, is providing $100 million in capital to fund federal loans for minority and women business owners who have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.
Quotations:
"Everyone thought I was going to die like a year later, they didn't know. So I helped educate sports, and then the world, that a man living with HIV can play basketball. He's not going to give it to anybody by playing basketball."
"All kids need is a little help, a little hope, and somebody who believes in them."
"Ask not what your teammates can do for you. Ask what you can do for your teammates."
"Research your idea. See if there's a demand. A lot of people have great ideas, but they don't know if there's a need for it. You also have to research your competition."
Personality
Before he was given the nickname "Magic," neighbors used to refer to Earvin as "June Bug" because of the way he would always bounce around the local court, trying out the moves he saw on TV.
Quotes from others about the person
"For me, Magic is a hero, a hero for anyone who loves sports." - George H. W. Bush
Interests
Travelling
Politicians
Phil Angelides, Barbara Boxer, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Wendy Greuel
Writers
Second Chances by Pat Smith
Artists
Roberto Cavalli, Giorgio Armani
Sport & Clubs
Basketball, soccer
Athletes
Bill Russell, Earl Monroe, Marques Haynes
Music & Bands
Michael Jackson, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Tupac, Eminem, Aretha Franklin, Adele, Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Nina Simone, Sade, Kendrick Lamar, Rick Ross, Nas, Nelly, Ludacris
Connections
In September 1991, just before Johnson learned he had HIV, he married longtime friend Earletha "Cookie" Kelly. They had a son, Earvin III, in 1993 and adopted a daughter, Elisa, in 1995. He also has a son, Andre Johnson, from a previous relationship.
Magic Johnson: Basketball Immortal
A biography of the basketball superstar, from his childhood in Michigan through his record-breaking career with the Los Angeles Lakers to his present HIV-positive status.
1993
Magic! Against the Odds
Offers a profile of the former Los Angeles Lakers star who tested positive for the HIV virus.
1996
Earvin Magic Johnson: Champion and Crusader
Examines the life and work of the star of the Los Angeles Lakers who became a crusader for AIDS education and treatment and established himself as a business leader after his retirement from the team.