Boxer, Film Actor. Born Frederick Earl Burgett in Seattle, Washington. Former middleweight champion of the world between 1936 and 1938, nicknamed "The Tacoma Assassin", was trained by Jack Connor, Johnny Babnick and Ray Arcel. A good boxer and a hard hitter, Steele lost only two fights during his first ten years in the ring compiling a boxing record of 125 wins (60 by KO), 5 losses (3 by KO) and 11 draws. Steele fought two memorable bouts with Fred Apostoli, winning the first, but suffering a TKO in a non-title match. He lost the middleweight crown to Al Hostak in his next to last fight, at the Seattle Civic Arena in July 1938, with Jack Dempsey refereeing. He was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame, 1989. As an actor, he appeared in a number of Hollywood films in the 1940's, including Preston Sturges' "Hail the Conquering Hero" (1944), appeared as Sgt. Warnicki in "The Story of G.I. Joe" with Robert Mitchum and Burgess Meredith (1945), "I Walk Alone" (1948) and "Whiplash (1948)" and was reportedly a good friend of fellow actor John Wayne. He left Hollywood in the 1950's returning to his native Pacific Northwest. He owned and operated "Freddie Steele's Restaurant" in Westport, Washington with his wife, Helen, for over 20 years until illness forced his retirement.
Boxer, Film Actor. Born Frederick Earl Burgett in Seattle, Washington. Former middleweight champion of the world between 1936 and 1938, nicknamed "The Tacoma Assassin", was trained by Jack Connor, Johnny Babnick and Ray Arcel. A good boxer and a hard hitter, Steele lost only two fights during his first ten years in the ring compiling a boxing record of 125 wins (60 by KO), 5 losses (3 by KO) and 11 draws. Steele fought two memorable bouts with Fred Apostoli, winning the first, but suffering a TKO in a non-title match. He lost the middleweight crown to Al Hostak in his next to last fight, at the Seattle Civic Arena in July 1938, with Jack Dempsey refereeing. He was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame, 1989. As an actor, he appeared in a number of Hollywood films in the 1940's, including Preston Sturges' "Hail the Conquering Hero" (1944), appeared as Sgt. Warnicki in "The Story of G.I. Joe" with Robert Mitchum and Burgess Meredith (1945), "I Walk Alone" (1948) and "Whiplash (1948)" and was reportedly a good friend of fellow actor John Wayne. He left Hollywood in the 1950's returning to his native Pacific Northwest. He owned and operated "Freddie Steele's Restaurant" in Westport, Washington with his wife, Helen, for over 20 years until illness forced his retirement.
Bio by: Frank R. Adamski
Inscription
Middleweight Champion of the
World 1936 - 1938
Gravesite Details
Freddie is buried next to his wife Helen.
Family Members
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