Actor, Lakers fan Jack Nicholson remembers Kobe Bryant

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By Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Jack Nicholson is like anyone who heard the news that Kobe Bryant was killed Sunday in a helicopter crash - heartbroken.

But the Oscar award-winning actor wasn’t just a mere fan of the Lakers, He considered Bryant a friend.

Nicholson, who was frequently seen in his court-side seats watching the Lakers, spoke with KCBS news hours after the crash.

Listen to the interview below:

“My reaction is the same as almost all of L.A., where we think everything’s solid, three’s a big hole in the wall. I was used to seeing and talking to Kobe that -- it kills you. It’s just a terrible event,” Nicholson said in the interview.

Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant and Jack Nicholson FILE PHOTO: Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers shakes hands with Jack Nicholson during a game circa 1999 at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. Copyright 1999 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) (Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)