WWE Hall of Famer George 'The Animal' Steele Dies at 79

By
WWE

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.

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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 grateful," Hogan tweeted.

"George Steele was a one-of-a-kind performer who could make fans smile or boo," Triple H wrote. "And his competitors laugh or cry."