WWE Legend Gene Okerlund Dies at 76 (VIDEO)
Gene Okerlund, the indelible voice of professional wrestling, has died at the age of 76.
WWE.com announced Okerlund’s passing this morning, but did not disclose how he died or when.
Okerlund got his start working in local radio and television, but in the 1980s, he segued into professional wrestling. The Minnesota native started out with the American Wrestling Association, but in 1984 he joined the WWE.
As the interviewer for WWE’s telecasts, Okerlund earned the nickname “Mean Gene” from Jesse “The Body” Ventura. He became famous for his entertaining exchanges with wrestling superstars “Macho Man” Randy Savage, The Ultimate Warrior, and Hulk Hogan. His interviews with Hogan in particular were often punctuated with the phrase, “Well you know something ‘Mean’ Gene!”
Okerlund would go on to host several WWE shows and provide commentary during matches. He even sang the National ANthem at the very first Wrestlemania in 1985.
He left the WWE in 1993 to join the WCW, where he interviewed the stars of the era, including Sting, Diamond Dallas Page, and Goldberg. He eventually returned to the WWE in 2001.
Here are some classic clips from “Mean” Gene’s career.
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