Pro wrestling star and 1980's pop culture icon Captain Lou Albano died Wednesday at the age of 76.
Wrestlers Rescue founder and former ECW/WWE Diva Dawn Marie says Albano
died Wednesday of natural causes.
The organization helped raise funds for Albano's care after he was placed in hospice care.
World Wrestling Entertainment issued a statement regarding Albano's death on Wednesday,
acknowledging his impact on the pro wrestling industry during his career.
His persona earned him the distinction of "one of the most hated men" in wrestling for 15 years,
the WWE biography said.
Albano began his wrestling career in 1953 in Canada after attending the University of Tennessee,
the WWE said in its press release.
Albano began his storied career with Vincent J. McMahon in the 1960's as one half of "The Sicilians" tag team with his partner Tony Altimore.
His persona earned him the distinction of "one of the most hated men" in wrestling for 15 years,
the WWE biography said.
The wrestler also earned fame by playing Cyndi Lauper's father in the popular video for "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun."
As his celebrity status grew,
Albano landed acting jobs,
including a role on several episodes of the "Miami Vice" TV series,
the biography said.
Albano became a cartoon in 1989,
when he was the voice of Mario "Jumpman" Mario for 17 episodes of
"The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!".
An outsized personality,Albano had a taste for Hawaiian shirts and rubber bands hung from his cheek as well as around his trademark beard.
His sports career spanned nearly five decades.
"Captain Lou" was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1996.
He performed for the WWE from 1983 to 1996.
After decades of success as a manager,Albano is widely credited with creating the first "Wrestlemania" in 1985.
He made being a manager.....cool!
R.I.P. CAPTAIN LOU!!!
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