WWE legend William James Myers, better known by his wrestling name George "The Animal" Steele, has died at the age of 79.
The WWE made the announcement on Friday, remembering Steele as "one of the wildest and most unpredictable Superstars in sports-entertainment history."
A well-educated man, Steele received a Master's Degree from Central Michigan University and spent time as a high school teacher and wrestling coach in the Detroit area before turning to sports entertainment.
Steele earned the nickname, The Animal, for the way he tore up turnbuckles with his teeth while sticking out his green tongue.
Pics: Stars We've Lost
Aside from wrestling, Steele made his mark on the world of entertainment through his roles in films like Ed Wood, Blowfish and Small Town Conspiracy.
Steele's passing prompted fellow wrestling greats like Hulk Hogan and Triple H to share their condolences on social media.
"George 'the Animal' Steele, Rip my brother, only love, only...
The WWE made the announcement on Friday, remembering Steele as "one of the wildest and most unpredictable Superstars in sports-entertainment history."
A well-educated man, Steele received a Master's Degree from Central Michigan University and spent time as a high school teacher and wrestling coach in the Detroit area before turning to sports entertainment.
Steele earned the nickname, The Animal, for the way he tore up turnbuckles with his teeth while sticking out his green tongue.
Pics: Stars We've Lost
Aside from wrestling, Steele made his mark on the world of entertainment through his roles in films like Ed Wood, Blowfish and Small Town Conspiracy.
Steele's passing prompted fellow wrestling greats like Hulk Hogan and Triple H to share their condolences on social media.
"George 'the Animal' Steele, Rip my brother, only love, only...
- 2/17/2017
- Entertainment Tonight
William James Myers, better known by his name in the WWE ring, George “The Animal” Steele, has died, WWE announced Friday morning. He was 79. The wrestling company issued a statement after Hulk Hogan tweeted out, “George ‘the Animal’ Steel, Rip my brother, only love, only grateful.” No other details about his cause of death […]...
- 2/17/2017
- by etcanadadigital
- ET Canada
The WWE has lost another legend. George "The Animal" Steele, a Hall of Famer known for his green tongue and hairy chest, has died at age 79, the group said in a statement Friday. Steele, whose real name was William James Myers, made his pro-wrestling debut in the late '60s and later became a popular villain in the ring. He continued to make WWE appearances throughout the late '90s. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1995 by fellow wrestler Doink the Clown, who died at age 55 in 2013. Before he became a wrestling star, Steele received his bachelor's degree from Michigan State University and his master's degree from Central Michigan University and worked...
- 2/17/2017
- E! Online
William James Myers, who as his pro wrestling alter-ego George “The Animal” Steele became one of the iconic names in the sport, has died. He was 79. Steele’s persona — wild eyes, a furball body, green tongue, mute and a slightly unhinged penchant for eating turnbuckle padding — made him a star well before the WWE came into prominence on TV and pay-per-view in the 1980s. He later caught the eye of Tim Burton, who cast him as Swedish actor Tor Johnson in his 1994 pic Ed Wood…...
- 2/17/2017
- Deadline TV
William James Myers, who as his pro wrestling alter-ego George “The Animal” Steele became one of the iconic names in the sport, has died. He was 79. Steele’s persona — wild eyes, a furball body, green tongue, mute and a slightly unhinged penchant for eating turnbuckle padding — made him a star well before the WWE came into prominence on TV and pay-per-view in the 1980s. He later caught the eye of Tim Burton, who cast him as Swedish actor Tor Johnson in his 1994 pic Ed Wood…...
- 2/17/2017
- Deadline
George “The Animal” Steele, a WWE Hall of Famer and star of movies like Tim Burton’s “Ed Wood,” died on Friday at age 79. Hulk Hogan shared the news of Steele’s death on Twitter, writing, “George”the Animal”Steel,Rip my brother, only love, only grateful. Hh.” In addition, a family friend posted a tribute to Steele on Facebook, saying his daughter Felicia had informed them her father had passed. “WWE is saddened to learn that WWE Hall of Famer William James Myers, known to fans as George ‘The Animal’ Steele has passed away at the age of 79,” the entertainment company said in.
- 2/17/2017
- by Joe Otterson
- The Wrap
It's a sad day in the entertainment world as one of it's most colourful characters has passed away. 'Captain' Lou Albano was 76. While some know him from his starring role opposite John Ritter in the 1992 hit film Stay Tuned and his many appearances as Mario in the Super Mario Brothers Super Show, others may know him from his portrayal of Cyndi Lauper's Dad in the videos for 'Girls Just Want to Have Fun', 'She Bop' and 'The Goonies R Good Enough'. I, for one, will always remember him as one of the greatest wrestling personalities of all time. Over his 42-year career "Captain" Lou managed 34 men to championship gold which is an accomplishment that not even Jimmy 'Mouth of the South' Hart or Bobby "The Brain" Heenan can match. With his trademark rubber bands attached to his face he managed the likes of the U.S Express,...
- 10/15/2009
- by Greg
- FilmJunk
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