Pro wrestling legend and WWE Hall of Famer George ‘The Animal’ Steele has passed away aged 79, having reportedly suffered kidney failure.
Born William James Myers in Detroit, he became a teaching and wrestling coach after a promising football career was cut short following knee issues, and entered the wrestling business in the 1960s, initially as masked wrestler The Student.
He first entered the WWE – then the World Wide Wrestling Federation – in 1967, where he began a heated rivalry with champion Bruno Sammartino under his ‘Animal’ gimmick as a crazy heel who would often tear the turnbuckle apart using his teeth.
Steele turned face in 1985, leading to a memorable feud with ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage which included an Intercontinental Championship match at WrestleMania 2. He would retire from wrestling in 1988, and was inducting into the Hall of Fame in 1995.
In addition to his wrestling exploits, Steele also made a number of acting appearances, most notabaly taking on the role of Tor Johnson in Tim Burton’s Ed Wood.
Originally published February 18, 2017. Updated April 15, 2018.
