He might have become a legend because of his exceptional boxing talent, but Muhammad Ali didn't confine himself to sports. He was a celebrity who was also involved in creative endeavors from music to high art.
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Muhammad Ali's 9 best culture moments
He might have become a legend because of his exceptional boxing talent, but Muhammad Ali didn't confine himself to sports. He was a celebrity who was also involved in creative endeavors from music to high art.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/S. Ilnitsky
Boxer with an acting talent
Muhammad Ali was legendary as a boxer, but he didn't stop there. He wanted to expand his career and also ventured into acting. He appeared as Gideon Jackson in the 1979 film "Freedom Road." Ali portrays a former slave in Reconstruction-era Virginia. The film is based upon the 1944 novel by Howard Fast.
Image: picture alliance/Reisfeld/Jackson
Acting debut in a musical
On December 2, 1969 Muhammad Ali wore a fake beard and wig for his acting debut in the Broadway musical "Buck White" in New York City. The show only had seven performances, during the period when Ali had been suspended from boxing after refusing to join the Army and fight in the Vietnam War.
Image: picture alliance/ASSOCIATED PRESS
Glimpses into Ali's life
Ali did not only act, but also appeared as himself in numerous scripted films and television series, including "Requiem for a Heavyweight" (1962), "Body and Soul" (1981), and "Doin' Time" (1985). "I Am Ali" (pictured) is a 2014 documentary that covers the life of Muhammad Ali using personal audio recordings he made during the 1970s.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/Universal Pictures
Portrayed by others
Hollywood turned his most famous fights into a blockbuster in 2001 with Will Smith in the lead role. The film shows Ali winning the heavyweight title from Sonny Liston, his conversion to Islam, criticism of the Vietnam War and his subsequent ban from boxing, his return to fight Joe Frazier in 1971, and, finally, his reclaiming of the title.
"The Soul of a Butterfly" is Muhammad Ali's autobiography, written in collaboration with his daughter, Hana. It is a breakdown of the important events and experiences in his life and includes some of his and his daughter's poetry. Here he is seen at a book promotion event together with Hana.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/B.Matthews
Art scene pays tribute
The Filipino boxing aficionado Marco Jose Revilla can be seen one day after the boxer's death on June 3 with work of art by Monica Jane Valerio depicting Muhammad Ali. The painting - one of many featuring Ali - is located in the so-called Ali Mall, the Philippines' first shopping center named after the legendary boxing champ.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/M.R.Cristino
A statue for a legend
Ali was honored with a bronze statue of himself during a ceremony at Planet Hollywood on April 21, 1995 in Las Vegas. This bronze of the fighter was sculpted by world-renowed sports sculptor, John Petek, of Billings, Montana.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/L. McLendon
A great honor
Pop artist Andy Warhol photographed Muhammad Ali and turned the pictures into unique pieces of art. Warhol photographed the boxer, Muhammad Ali, in 1977 as part of his "Athletes" series. Here, one of the pictures can be seen as visitors walk past the artwork "Muhammad Ali" during the 7th Moscow World Fine Art fair in 2013.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/S. Ilnitsky
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In Muhammad Ali's hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, thousands are expected to gather Thursday for an Islamic prayer service in his honor. The three-time heavyweight world champion passed away on June 3 at the age of 74, following a decades-long battle with Parkinson's disease.
A funeral procession is to be held on Friday in Louisville, passing by sites in the city that were significant to Muhammad Ali - including his childhood home, the Ali Center and the Center for African American Heritage.
In addition to writing sports history, Muhammad Ali was both active in the arts and served as a muse for other artists. Click through the gallery above for films and artwork associated with the boxing legend.