Amanda Knapp
After retiring from basketball, Dennis Rodman remained in the public eye, appearing on television shows such as Celebrity Apprentice and gaining international attention for his friendship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un. Rodman has also struggled with alcohol abuse, appearing on the third season of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew. He has written three autobiographies, appeared in reality television programs, and travelled to North Korea with a documentary crew in 2013, becoming the first American to meet Kim Jong-Un. He also focused on his film career and wrestling.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Post-basketball career | Film, wrestling, reality TV |
| Autobiography | Bad As I Wanna Be, Walk on the Wild Side, I Should Be Dead by Now |
| North Korea visit | Met Kim Jong-Un, played basketball with him, asked him to release American prisoner Kenneth Bae |
| Personal life | Married Annie Bakes, Carmen Electra, and Michelle Moyer; has three children |
| Alcohol abuse | Entered rehab in 2008, appeared on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew |
| Outbursts | Headbutted the Spurs' mascot, sat down mid-game and refused to stand |
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What You'll Learn
Friendship with Kim Jong-Un
After his NBA career, Dennis Rodman took a long break from basketball and ventured into film and wrestling. He also attracted international attention for his visits to North Korea and his subsequent friendship with the country's leader, Kim Jong-Un.
Rodman first met Kim in 2013 when he travelled to North Korea with Vice Media correspondent Ryan Duffy to host basketball exhibitions. They watched the Harlem Globetrotters together, dined on sushi, and drank at Kim's palace. Rodman told Kim, “You have a friend for life”, and suggested that President Barack Obama should reach out to Kim, as they were both basketball fans.
In May 2013, Rodman sent a tweet asking Kim to release American prisoner Kenneth Bae, who had been sentenced to 15 years of hard labour in North Korea. Kim released Bae the following year. In July 2013, Rodman told Sports Illustrated:
> My mission is to break the ice between hostile countries. Why it's been left to me to smooth things over, I don't know. Dennis Rodman, of all people. Keeping us safe is really not my job; it's the black guy's [Obama's] job.
On September 3, 2013, Rodman flew to Pyongyang for another meeting with Kim Jong Un. He revealed that Kim had a daughter, Kim Ju Ae, and that he was a "great dad". Rodman also planned to train the North Korean national basketball team and wanted to “open Obama's and everyone's minds”. He returned to North Korea in December 2013 with several former NBA players for an exhibition basketball tour.
In June 2017, Rodman returned to North Korea on a sports-related visit. He met with national Olympic athletes and basketball players, viewed a men's basketball practice, and visited a state-run orphanage. He did not meet with Kim Jong Un but gave several gifts for him to the nation's Minister of Sports, including two signed basketball jerseys, two soap sets, and a copy of Donald Trump's book, *The Art of the Deal*.
Columbia University professor of neurobiology Joseph Terwilliger, who accompanied Rodman to North Korea, said:
> While I don't suspect that very many Americans would have chosen him to be an emissary or international goodwill ambassador, Dennis has had a long friendship with Mr. Trump and has also developed a very cordial friendship with Mr. Kim. In this tense climate, as we stand at a perilous crossing, Mr. Rodman's unique position as a friend to the leaders of both U.S. and North Korea could provide a much-needed bridge to help resolve the current nuclear standoff.
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Focused on film and wrestling
After his NBA career, Dennis Rodman took a long break from basketball and focused on his film career and wrestling. He appeared in a number of reality television programs, including Celebrity Apprentice. He also gained international attention due to his high-profile friendship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un.
In 2013, Rodman travelled to North Korea with Vice Media correspondent Ryan Duffy to host basketball exhibitions. He met Kim Jong-Un and later described him as "a friend for life". Rodman caused controversy when he suggested that then-President Barack Obama should "pick up the phone and call" Kim, as they were both basketball fans. After reading about American prisoner Kenneth Bae, who had been sentenced to 15 years of hard labour in North Korea, Rodman sent a tweet to Kim asking for his release. Kim granted the release the following year.
Rodman's trip to North Korea was not his first foray into the public eye. He had previously appeared on television shows such as Celebrity Apprentice and gained attention for his wrestling. In 2001, Rodman handed out $100 bills and ditched practice for the WCW. He also made headlines for his colourful hair, piercings, tattoos, and cross-dressing.
Despite his post-basketball pursuits, Rodman has struggled with alcohol abuse. He first sought help in 2008 and appeared on the third season of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew. His financial adviser, Peggy Williams, openly discussed his challenges with alcohol and the impact on his life. The intense media scrutiny Rodman has faced, particularly surrounding his visits to North Korea, may have contributed to his alcohol use.
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Author of three autobiographies
After his NBA career, Dennis Rodman took a long break from basketball and focused on his film career and wrestling. He also continued to remain in the spotlight, appearing on TV shows such as Celebrity Apprentice. Rodman has also been a part of several reality television programs.
Rodman is the author or co-author of three autobiographies: Bad As I Wanna Be (1996), Walk on the Wild Side (1997), and I Should Be Dead by Now (2005). In 1996, Rodman wore a wedding dress to promote his autobiography Bad As I Wanna Be, claiming that he was bisexual. In his autobiography, Rodman revealed that he had once driven to The Palace of Auburn Hills one night carrying a loaded rifle in his truck, debating whether or not he wanted to continue living.
In 2013, Rodman courted publicity by traveling with a documentary crew to North Korea, where he became the first American to meet the country's leader, Kim Jong-Un. Rodman later said that Kim was "a friend for life". In May 2013, Rodman sent out a tweet asking Kim to release American prisoner Kenneth Bae, who had been sentenced to 15 years of hard labour in North Korea. Kim released Bae the following year.
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Reality TV appearances
After his NBA career, Rodman continued to seek the limelight, appearing on several reality television programs. In 2013, he travelled to North Korea with a documentary crew and became the first American to meet the country's new leader, Kim Jong-Un, causing a media frenzy. Rodman has since been in the spotlight for his high-profile friendship with Kim.
Rodman has appeared on TV shows such as *Celebrity Apprentice* and *Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew*, where he sought help for his alcohol abuse issues. The intense media scrutiny Rodman faced, particularly regarding his visits to North Korea, may have contributed to his alcohol use.
Rodman was also featured in ESPN's *The Last Dance*, which focused on his time with the Chicago Bulls and his unique personality. The documentary highlighted Rodman's eccentricities, including his relationships with Madonna and Carmen Electra, his penchant for cross-dressing, and his impromptu trips to Las Vegas.
Rodman's appearance in *The Last Dance* also shed light on his early life and career, including his background as a late bloomer and his determination to succeed in basketball despite initial setbacks. It showcased his impact on the court as a defensive specialist and rebounder, as well as his willingness to do the "dirty work" crucial to his team's success.
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Alcohol abuse and rehab
Dennis Rodman, the former NBA basketball player, has struggled with alcohol abuse and addiction. He has been open about his journey through depression and alcoholism, and has sought help through rehab and treatment facilities.
Rodman's struggles with alcohol began during his basketball career and continued beyond it. In 2008, he had his first stay at an outpatient rehab facility after his manager confirmed excessive drinking. Despite seeking help, his issues with alcohol persisted, and he appeared on the reality TV show "Celebrity Rehab" with Dr. Drew Pinsky, seeking help for his addiction. Rodman's financial adviser, Peggy Williams, also openly discussed his alcohol struggles and their impact on his life.
Rodman's alcohol abuse led to a long list of legal troubles, including several DUI charges and hit-and-run incidents. He has spent time in treatment facilities for his addiction and was the subject of a public intervention following his appearance on "Celebrity Apprentice." In 2014, after a controversial trip to North Korea, Rodman checked himself into a treatment facility. He has continued to work on maintaining his sobriety, admitting to relapses and recognizing that achieving long-term sobriety is a challenging and lengthy process.
Rodman has also battled mental health issues and depression, which have been intertwined with his alcohol addiction. He has written several autobiographical books, including "Bad As I Wanna Be" (1996), "Walk on the Wild Side" (1997), and "I Should Be Dead by Now" (2005), in which he candidly discusses his personal struggles. Despite his setbacks, Rodman has shown resilience and a commitment to his recovery.
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Frequently asked questions
After retiring from basketball, Rodman has kept himself busy with a variety of activities. He has appeared on TV shows such as *Celebrity Apprentice*, written three autobiographies, and pursued a career in wrestling. He has also gained attention for his friendship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, becoming the first American to meet him in 2013.
Rodman has appeared on several reality TV programs, including *Celebrity Apprentice* and *Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew*. He has also been the subject of documentaries such as ESPN's *The Last Dance* and a Vice Media documentary about his trip to North Korea.
Rodman is the author or co-author of three autobiographies: *Bad As I Wanna Be* (1996), *Walk on the Wild Side* (1997), and *I Should Be Dead by Now* (2005).
After his NBA career, Rodman took a break from basketball and focused on his film career and wrestling. He also continued to make headlines for his eccentric behaviour and public antics, such as cross-dressing and his relationships with celebrities like Madonna and Carmen Electra.
