The Steel Cage
Newsday tag team champs Alfonso Castillo and Seth Mates slam you with pro wrestling news and insights.
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Capt. Lou Albano Dead at 76
Colorful pro wrestling legend Capt. Lou Albano has died at the age of 76, according to World Wrestling Entertainment.
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The Mount Vernon, NY native, who was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1996, had been battling health problems for several months. Earlier this week, Wrestler’s Rescue, a charity group founded last year to raise money for ailing former pro wrestlers, announced he was under hospice care.
Below: Vintage video for Cyndi Lauper’s "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun," which featured Albano.
Albano’s illustrious career as a wrestler and manager in WWE spanned more than 40 years, from his days as one half of the villainous tag team "The Sicilians" with Tony Altimore, to headlining Madison Square Garden wrestling cards against heavyweight champion Bruno Sammartino, to managing such memorable acts as George "The Animal" Steele, The British Bulldogs and the Headshrinkers.
The round, scraggly loudmouth, known for adorning his face and beard with rubber bands, became a staple of 80’s pop culture, including through his portrayal on the Saturday morning cartoon show "Hulk Hogan’s Rock n’ Wrestling" and his appearance in the music video for Cyndi Lauper’s "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun." Albano also played the part of Super Mario in the syndicated "Super Mario Brothers" cartoon show.
