WWE Hall of Famer George 'The Animal' Steele dead at 79
Professional wrestler and WWE Hall of Famer George "The Animal" Steele (real name: William James Myers) has died, World Wrestling Entertainment confirmed on Friday morning.
Steele was 79 years old.
BREAKING: WWE is saddened to learn that WWE Hall of Famer George “The Animal” Steele has passed away at age of 79. https://t.co/TTCUVMDtTU pic.twitter.com/AeEcohPCRe
— WWE (@WWE) February 17, 2017
He had revealed on his Twitter account in May 2016 that he was dealing with some serious health challenges, and the Wrestling Observer Newsletter's Dave Meltzer recently reported that Steele had entered hospice care.
Steele was a mainstay in the business for over two decades as both a babyface and heel, best known for eating the stuffing out of the turnbuckles. There was even a stretch where he would carry a plush monkey named Mine with him to the squared circle.
It was in 1988 when he officially retired after being diagnosed with Crohn's Disease (a gastrointestinal disorder), although he'd make sporadic appearances for several promotions from time to time.
Despite never winning a championship in WWE, Steele was inducted into the company's Hall of Fame in 1995 by Doink the Clown.