What happened to George “the Animal” Steele?
Jim Myers, better known to wrestling fans as George “The Animal” Steele, has died at age 79. George was a WWE Hall of Famer with a storied career – not only in the wrestling ring, but also as a coach, teacher, and even an appearance alongside Johnny Depp in Tim Burton’s 1994 classic, Ed Wood. But Myers’ accomplishments never came easy.
Who is the guy with the green tongue that ate turnbuckles?
The truth is, the guy with the green tongue who ate turnbuckles had earned his masters degree from Central Michigan University and was a teacher – which explains why The Animal only wrestled during the summer time early in his wrestling career. Knowing that the end was coming soon, the late Jim Myers recorded a video just prior to his death.
How did Michael Steele get the name Animal?
First wrestled as "The Student," a masked wrestler. A wrestling promoter in Pittsburgh, PA, gave Steele his most famous wrestling name, while fans nicknamed him "the Animal" for his naturally hairy body. His green tongue was the result of eating green Clorets candy before his matches.
Is there a song about George Steele?
A song about Steele titled "George Steele" appears on the album Charmed Life by punk rock band Half Japanese. The lyrics include "There's a man who I admire, a man who set his hair on fire." Steele is referenced in the Seinfeld episode, " The Bizarro Jerry ".
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Why does George the Animal Steele have a green tongue?
I looked at the turnbuckle pad and I went over took a bite out of it and it tore really easy and started rubbing his eyes with that and for a very flat match, we had a riot. So the two things that I am known for the green tongue and the turnbuckles and they both happened by accident.
What color was George the Animal Steele's tongue?
Born as William James Myers and nicknamed 'The Animal,' George Steele was known for sticking out his green tongue and carrying a wild man persona.
Is George the Animal Steele alive?
February 16, 2017George Steele / Date of death
What was George the Animal Steele finisher?
The Flying HammerlockHis finisher The Flying Hammerlock. Basically, he would lift his opponents off the mat from behind with a hammerlocked arm. Steele had memorable feuds with WWF champ Bruno Sammartino and Randy “Macho Man' Savage with Miss Elizabeth.
How old was King Kong Bundy when he died?
64 years (1954–2019)King Kong Bundy / Age at death
How old is George the Animal Steele?
79 years (1937–2017)George Steele / Age at death
Was George the Animal Steele married?
Pat SteeleGeorge Steele / Spouse (m. 1956–2017)
Where was George the Animal Steele born?
Detroit, MIGeorge Steele / Place of birth
Who ate the turnbuckle?
George “The Animal” SteeleGeorge “The Animal” Steele, the charismatic wrestler known for his body hair, green tongue and a taste for eating the stuffing out of turnbuckles, has died while in hospice care at the age of 79.
How tall is George the Animal Steele?
6′ 1″George Steele / Height
How old is the Iron Sheik?
80 years (March 15, 1942)The Iron Sheik / Age
Is George the Animal Steele in the WWE Hall of Fame?
Steele was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1995, the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame in Amsterdam, New York, in 2005, and was a Cauliflower Alley Club men's wrestling honoree in 2004. He is survived by his wife, Pat, and his children Felicia, Dennis and Randy.
What disease did George Steele have?
Personal life and death. George Steele in 2005. Myers had dyslexia and in 1988 was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, an inflammatory bowel disease that currently has no cure, but can be brought into remission.
What animal did Steele carry to the ring?
In 1988, Steele began carrying a stuffed animal named "Mine" to the ring.
What song did George Steele sing on Charmed Life?
His book, Animal, was released on June 1, 2013. A song about Steele titled "George Steele" appears on the album Charmed Life by punk rock band Half Japanese. The lyrics include "There's a man who I admire, a man who set his hair on fire.". Steele is referenced in the Seinfeld episode, " The Bizarro Jerry ".
What game is Steele in?
Steele appears in the video game WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain as a legend character. He is also featured in all three games in the Legends of Wrestling series.
What was the name of the football team that Myers played for?
In 1956, Myers entered Michigan State University as a football player for the Michigan State Spartans, but his career as a football player was immediately cut short as a result of knee problems. In 1961, he was with the Grand Rapids Blazers ( UFL ).
When did Steele leave the Oddities?
In 1998, during the WWF's " Attitude Era ", Steele returned as part of The Oddities until leaving in 1999. He lost to Greg Valentine at Heroes of Wrestling on October 10, 1999. Then on January 10, 2000, he appeared on an episode of WCW Monday Nitro as one of three legends Jeff Jarrett had to face that night.
Who was the wrestler who scouted Myers?
Myers was soon scouted by World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) champion Bruno Sammartino and began working in Pittsburgh in 1967 on the popular Studio Wrestling TV show broadcast on WIIC-TV (later WPXI -TV) Channel 11. Sammartino had liked the character Myers developed of a wild man with incredible strength.
What is the animal's tongue?
Best known as a charismatic figure in the 80s, George “The Animal” Steele will forever be remembered for his wild antics in the ring – and that signature green tongue, which Steele admitted was a simple matter of eating green breath mints prior to entering the ring. In a 2008 interview, he joked “I had the best breath in wrestling.”
Who was the animal that joked "I had the best breath in wrestling"?
In a 2008 interview, he joked “I had the best breath in wrestling.”. 1983: Heel 101. George “The Animal” Steele makes short work of Pete Sanchez.. stuffing his face with the turnbuckle. Early in his WWF career, George “The Animal” Steele was managed by fellow legend, Freddie Blassie.
Who is the animal in the WWE?
Jim Myers, better known to wrestling fans as George “The Animal” Steele, has died at age 79. George was a WWE Hall of Famer with a storied career – not only in the wrestling ring, but also as a coach, teacher, and even an appearance alongside Johnny Depp in Tim Burton’s 1994 classic, Ed Wood. But Myers’ accomplishments never came easy.
Overview
Professional wrestling career
Looking to supplement his income, he got into the world of Detroit-area professional wrestling, but in order to protect his privacy, he wrestled using a mask and the name "the Student". Gary Hart served as the Student's manager and had to explain to the announcers why his client could not apply any legitimate holds or maneuvers instead relying on only his undisciplined brute strength. M…
Early life
Myers was born in Detroit on April 16, 1937, and was raised in Madison Heights, Michigan. During high school, he found success in track, baseball, basketball, and football. In 1956, Myers entered Michigan State University as a football player for the Michigan State Spartans, but his career as a football player was immediately cut short as a result of knee problems. In 1961, he was with the Grand Rapids Blazers (UFL).
Acting career
In 1994, Steele made his professional acting debut as Swedish wrestler-turned-actor Tor Johnson in Tim Burton's Ed Wood. Coincidentally, Steele was often mistaken for Johnson earlier in his career. According to Steele, a New York novelty shop once sold a Tor Johnson mask as a George Steele mask to increase sales, due to Steele's popularity at the time.
In 2008 Steele co-starred with Greg Valentine in a short film entitled Somethin Fishy, in which the …
Personal life and death
Myers had dyslexia and in 1988 was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, an inflammatory bowel disease that currently has no cure, but can be brought into remission. In 1998, doctors told Myers that his Crohn's Disease had gone into remission and that he no longer suffered from any of the disease's symptoms. In 2002, to prevent the symptoms from returning, Myers had his colon removed.
Other media
Steele appears in the video game WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain as a legend character. He is also featured in all three games in the Legends of Wrestling series.
His book, Animal, was released on June 1, 2013.
A song about Steele titled "George Steele" appears on the album Charmed Life by punk rock band Half Japanese.
Championships and accomplishments
• Big Time Wrestling
• Cauliflower Alley Club
• Grande Wrestling Alliance
• National Wrestling Federation
External links
• George Steele at IMDb
• Official website
• WWE Hall of Fame profile