WWE inducting Gorgeous George into Hall of Fame, planning to do movie based on him
The legendary Gorgeous George will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, WWE announced in a news release today. The company also said that WWE Studios has acquired the rights to do a major motion picture about him that will begin production next year.
The late Gorgeous George, who was born George Wagner, was a pioneer during the Golden Age of pro wrestling in the 1950s. His flamboyant style – he played a cocky, bleached-blonde effeminate heel with gaudy robes who came out to ‘Pomp and Circumstance” and had a male valet who would spray perfume around the ring – was groundbreaking as far as bringing showmanship to the genre. Not only was he the biggest star in wrestling when it was a staple of the early days of television, but he was one of the most famous mainstream celebrities of the day.
Gorgeous George, who died in 1963 at 48, influenced numerous pro wrestlers as well as others in show business and sports. Boxing great Muhammad Ali, in particular, has always said that he took his cues from Gorgeous George.
“Gorgeous George’s was a pop-culture innovator who took risks pushing the social envelope and did things that no other performer had ever dared to do,” WWE CEO and chairman Vince McMahon said in a statement. “He was a cultural tour-de-force who set the standard that many in the world of sports and entertainment still emulate today.”
Betty Wagner, Gorgeous George’s 96-year-old former wife, will accept the Hall of Fame honor on his behalf in an induction ceremony that takes place on March 27, the night before WrestleMania XXVI.
Comments
This movie was a long time coming....they should have done it many years ago when his influence was more recognizable with guys like Ric Flair ...do you know if they are going to have a wrestler play him or an actor? I think with a lot of help Dolph Ziggler could play him / but maybe Chris Jerrico would do the best job....
Posted by: Jammy | March 15, 2010 5:56 PM
Died at 48? Are we blaming THIS one on Vince, too?
Posted by: Michael Scanlon | March 15, 2010 8:53 PM
Why did it take so long to induct him? Was he not mainly a professional wrestler?
Posted by: MitZi | March 15, 2010 9:02 PM
Solid pick,George WAS pro wrestling in his time,there was NOBODY bigger..the "OLD TIMER'S" should have got the call long before now.How about Bruno and Bob Backlund next?Thanks Kevin and as always God Bless.
Posted by: David Baugus | March 16, 2010 9:51 AM
Read a bio on George last year, decent read,
George was incredible, the heat was off the charts. His match opening of not wanting to get his precious locks mused up is legendary stuff. My personal favorite is the bobby-pin in the hair to cheat.
His late career and life is somewhat sad.
Kevin put it right, It was amazing how much of a mainstream,celebrity star he was in and outside of wrestling.
Posted by: ryan b | March 16, 2010 2:19 PM
Long overdue.
His influence is seen in a number of wrestlers throughout the 70-80 and beyond.
He introduced flamboyance.
I have to hand it to VKM: While some of the choices are dubious, it is good to see that some of the truly all-time greats are recognized.
Posted by: Not the Unpredictable Johnny Rodz | March 16, 2010 7:55 PM
Kevin, how do you see WWE casting this film? Do you think it would be prudent to use a non-WWE actor in this particular role, since I don't really see a huge amt of the WWE audience (er..WWE Universe) really being all that into a film about someone who passed away 47 years ago. Do you have any thoughts on who should play George?
RESPONSE FROM KE: I think this has the potential to be WWE's most best film in terms and could go a long way in their film division earning their some respect. For that reason, I would cast a legitimate actor rather than a wrestler. No one immediately comes to mind as to who should play George.
Posted by: clint | March 17, 2010 2:41 PM
In Bob Dylan's autobiography, "Chronicles, Vol. 1", Bob says that he met George in a live appearance in a mall, and that he encouraged Bob to keep playing music (Bob was considering quitting).
So we can also thank him for some of the greatest music of the 20th Century!
Posted by: John Wilding | March 19, 2010 8:40 AM