Professional Wrestler, Promoter. Although many people only knew Angelo as the father of wrestling superstars Randy "Macho Man" Savage and "Leaping" Lanny Poffo, he was considered a legend in the world of pro wrestling. His first claim to fame came in 1945, while he was serving as a pharmacist mate in the US Navy. It was there that he broke the record for the most consecutive sit-ups, completing 6,033 in 4 hours and 10 minutes. He was quoted as saying" I did the 6,000 to break the record, and added the 33 for each year of my Lord's life". He was awarded a belt for his achievement by "Ripley's Believe it or Not". He began his wrestling career in 1949, wrestling mainly in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area. On some occasions he would wrestle with a mask on and was billed as the Miser. He would wrestle for 42 years before retiring from in ring participation in 1991. During those years he achieved great success as both a singles competitor and a tag team wrestler. He held 2 heavyweight championships and and was a 5 time tag champion, with various partners including his son Lanny. He was inducted into the World Championship Wrestling (WCW) Hall of Fame in 1995. When his ring career was over he became a promoter with "International Championship Wrestling" (ICW), which was based in Lexington, Kentucky. As he grew older and his health was failing he moved to Florida, to live out the remainder of his life, and to be closer to his children. He died in his sleep at the age of 84, leaving behind his sons and his wife Judy.
Professional Wrestler, Promoter. Although many people only knew Angelo as the father of wrestling superstars Randy "Macho Man" Savage and "Leaping" Lanny Poffo, he was considered a legend in the world of pro wrestling. His first claim to fame came in 1945, while he was serving as a pharmacist mate in the US Navy. It was there that he broke the record for the most consecutive sit-ups, completing 6,033 in 4 hours and 10 minutes. He was quoted as saying" I did the 6,000 to break the record, and added the 33 for each year of my Lord's life". He was awarded a belt for his achievement by "Ripley's Believe it or Not". He began his wrestling career in 1949, wrestling mainly in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area. On some occasions he would wrestle with a mask on and was billed as the Miser. He would wrestle for 42 years before retiring from in ring participation in 1991. During those years he achieved great success as both a singles competitor and a tag team wrestler. He held 2 heavyweight championships and and was a 5 time tag champion, with various partners including his son Lanny. He was inducted into the World Championship Wrestling (WCW) Hall of Fame in 1995. When his ring career was over he became a promoter with "International Championship Wrestling" (ICW), which was based in Lexington, Kentucky. As he grew older and his health was failing he moved to Florida, to live out the remainder of his life, and to be closer to his children. He died in his sleep at the age of 84, leaving behind his sons and his wife Judy.
Bio by: Hilda Duell
Family Members
Advertisement
