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Jackie Moon, played by Will Ferrell, is the main character in the 2008 movie Semi-Pro. He’s the owner, player, and coach of the Flint Tropics basketball team. At JerseyOne, you can get your hands on the Jackie Moon jersey.
Before taking over the Flint Tropics, Jackie became a pop singer with his hit song, 'Love Me Sexy.' The record was a massive success, and he used the profits to buy the team. Since then, 'Love Me Sexy' has always been played before the Tropics' home games.
Jackie Moon isn't just a player for the Flint Tropics. He’s also their promoter. To draw in the crowd, he comes up with creative ideas like half-court shot contests and even wrestling a bear.
Jackie Moon is not a real person, but he was inspired by two '70s ABA players. The first is Wendell Ladner, a small forward for the Kentucky Colonels. He was known for his toughness and defensive skills on the court. Off the court, his rugged charm and good looks made him a fan favorite, especially among women. He even posed for a famous nude poster, lying on his side—a pose strikingly similar to Jackie Moon's album cover.
Tragically, Ladner’s larger-than-life presence was cut short when he died in the crash of Eastern Air Lines Flight 66 on June 24, 1975. He was just 26, but his legacy as one of the ABA’s most colorful personalities still lives on.
The second inspiration is Rick Barry, renowned for his distinctive granny-style free throw. NBA fans may recognize Barry for his success with the Warriors, but he began his basketball career in the ABA. His free-throw style directly inspired Jackie Moon's signature move
Even though Rick Barry’s free throw form looks pretty goofy, he still hit an impressive 90% of them. Honestly, that’s still a crazy good percentage by today’s NBA standards.
Additionally, Jackie Moon embodies various popular elements from the '70s, such as his afro hairstyle and tight-fitting basketball jersey.
In Semi-Pro, Jackie Moon and his team, the Flint Tropics, are fictional. However, the film is set against the backdrop of the NBA-ABA merger. Historically, four ABA teams (the Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, New York Nets, and San Antonio Spurs) merged into the NBA, while teams such as the Utah Stars (Anaheim Amigos), Spirits of St. Louis, Kentucky Colonels, and Virginia Squires were folded.
Screenwriter Armstrong stated that the film attempts to capture the rebellious spirit of the ABA and the cultural atmosphere of the 1970s. For example, details like players having to juggle additional jobs and teams sharing high school gyms are based on true history. However, major plot elements—such as Jackie trading players for a washing machine and the team forcefully climbing the NBA rankings—are entirely fictional.
Jackie Moon's wife, Staci Moon (played by Kate Luyben), is known for her adventurous love life. While they have an open relationship, Staci openly dates many men and never hides it from Jackie. To cope with the awkwardness, Jackie often claims he’s dating many women too. In reality, though, he isn’t.
Patti LaBelle played Jackie Moon's mother in Semi-Pro. In the movie, her character has already passed away, but before her death, she wrote Jackie Moon's signature song, Love Me Sexy. She later appears in Jackie Moon's dream, where she teaches him how to do the alley-oop.
Patti LaBelle is a legendary R&B singer. She was at the top of her game in the ‘70s and ‘80s, dominating the scene with her powerful voice.
Jackie Moon is one of the most beloved movie characters. After Semi-Pro came out, he gained many fans. Every Halloween, people dress up as Jackie Moon. Some even outfit their whole team in Flint Tropics jerseys.
One of his biggest fans? Former Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson. He’s said he watches Semi-Pro whenever he’s feeling down—it always lifts his mood. On October 31, 2018, during the Warriors' home game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Klay showed up in full Jackie Moon gear.
Will Ferrell got wind of it. On March 9, 2022, he reached out to Warriors coach Steve Kerr and decided to surprise the team by showing up to warm-ups dressed as Jackie Moon. He even got some shots up with the players. His improv performance had the whole arena cracking up right away, making it a moment fans and players won’t forget.
How Old is Jackie Moon?
In Semi-Pro (2008), Jackie Moon's exact age is never stated, but contextual clues suggest he was in his mid-30s during the 1976 ABA season. Actor Will Ferrell was 41 years old when filming.
How Tall is Jackie Moon?
The height of Jackie Moon is not mentioned in the movie. However, as he plays the position of power forward on the team, his height should be approximately the same as that of the actor Will Ferrell, which is around 6'3" (190 cm)
Is Jackie Moon a Real Person?
Jackie Moon is not a real person. He is a fictional character played by Will Ferrell.
What Number is Jackie Moon?
In the movie Semi-Pro, Jackie Moon's jersey number is 33. He is a player on the Flint Tropics. The team has home-white and away-green jerseys, both of which feature the number 33.
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