George “The Animal” Steele, a WWE Hall of Famer and star of movies like Tim Burton’s “Ed Wood,” died on Friday at age 79.
Steele was born William James Meyers in 1937. An athlete from a young age, he went on to play college football for Michigan State University. He would go on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Michigan State and eventually his master’s degree from Central Michigan University.
While working as a teacher and wrestling coach in Michigan, Steele decided to supplement his income by becoming involved in professional wrestling. He first competed in the WWE in 1967, squaring off against the promotion’s long-time champion, Bruno Sammartino.
Steele quickly established himself as one of the most vicious heels (bad guys) in wrestling. In the ring, he was known to claw and bite opponents in addition to many other illegal moves. He was also notorious for tearing apart turnbuckles with his teeth and sticking out his tongue–which he colored green–to intimidate opponents.
Steele would remain with the WWE for another twenty years, even feuding with “Macho Man” Randy Savage in 1986 for the Intercontinental Championship. He made a final return to the WWE in the 1990’s as a part of the Oddities stable. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1995.
Outside the ring, Steele also dabbled in acting. Most famously, he played fellow wrestler Tor Johnson in “Ed Wood” opposite Johnny Depp as the legendary schlock filmmaker.
http://www.thewrap.com/george-the-animal-steele-wwe-hall-of-famer-and-ed-wood-star-dies-at-79/