REVEALED - 'Mean Gene' Okerlund died age 76 after suffering a bad fall in his home: Iconic WWE interviewer's son reveals his health deteriorated when he seriously injured himself a few weeks ago
- Todd Okerlund revealed the icon broke multiple rips during the fall in his home
- Okerlund had been taken to a nursing home just four days before his death
- On Wednesday he began struggling to breathe and was rushed to the hospital
- He died at the hospital with his wife Jeanne, who he wed in 1964, by his side
- Okerlund became a beloved icon of wrestling since he began working in 1970s
- He interviewed the sport's biggest stars, including Hulk Hogan, Jessie Ventura
Legendary wrestling interviewer 'Mean Gene' Okerlund passed away weeks after he suffered a nasty fall in his Florida home. He was 76 years old.
Okerlund's son Todd revealed that the beloved WWE icon's health rapidly declined in December after he broke multiple ribs during the fall at his home in Sarasota.
Todd told TMZ that Okerlund, who had already been in frail health prior to the fall, was admitted to a nursing home four days before his death.
He began struggling to breathe on Wednesday and was rushed to the hospital.
Legendary wrestling interviewer 'Mean Gene' Okerlund has passed away at the age of 76
The cause of Okerlund's death has not been disclosed. The wrestling icon is pictured here interviewing Ric Flair and Miss Elizabeth in 1998
Okerlund's wife Jeanne, who he married in 1964, was by his side when he died.
The WWE, who inducted Okerlund into the Hall of Fame in 2006, announced news of the icon's passing on Wednesday.
'WWE is saddened to learn that WWE Hall of Famer Gene Okerlund, the most recognizable interviewer in sports-entertainment history, has passed away,' the statement read.
Okerlund was a legend in the wrestling world who was beloved by both the wrestlers and fans.
Todd, who played hockey on the 1998 US Olympics team, said his father loved his career and would have done it for free.
The WWE, who inducted Okerlund into the Hall of Fame in 2006, announced news of the icon's passing on Wednesday
He forged many close friendships with the people he interviewed backstage, including Hulk Hogan and Bobby Sheenan. Okerlund even served as best man at the Iron Sheik's wedding.
It was Jessie Ventura who nicknamed Okerlund 'Mean Gene', a moniker many found ironic for the man considered to be one of the friendliest people in the world of wrestling.
The South Dakota native quickly became a fan favorite in the sports world after he started working as an interviewer for the American Wrestling Association in the 1970s.
Okerlund made his last appearance on WWE TV in January 2018, interviewing AJ Styles on the 25th anniversary episode of Raw (pictured)
Okerlund was a legend in the wrestling world who was beloved by both the fans and the wrestlers. He is pictured here interviewing Goldberg and Oliver Platt in 2000
It was there that he interviewed the likes of some of wrestling's biggest stars, including Hogan and Feenan.
Okerlund moved to the WWE (then known as the World Wrestling Federation) in 1984, where he started providing ringside commentary for hit shows including Tuesday Night Titans and All-American Wrestling.
And Okerlund wasn't all talk. In 1984 the legendary announcer joined Hogan to face off against Mr Fuji and George Steele.
Okerlund hadn't actually planned to fight, but the referee mistook Hogan's high five for a tag and sent him in the ring.
He quickly got out of the way of his opponent and tagged Hogan back in before pinning Mr Fuji for the win.
In 1980 Okerlund interviewed Andre the Giant in a now classic interview where they compared the size of their hands
Okerlund moved to the WWE (then known as the World Wrestling Federation) in 1984, where he started providing ringside commentary for hit shows
Okerlund made WWE history when he was selected to sing the National Anthem at the very first WrestleMania in 1985.
He even appeared on popular 1980s show The A-Team with Hogan, Heenan, Ricky Steamboat, Davey Boy Smith, Corporal Kirchner, Dynamite Kid, and Big John Studd.
Okerlund moved from the WWE to World Championship Wrestling in 1993, acting as lead interviewer and getting back into the ring two more times.
He returned to the WWE in 2001, where he would stay for the rest of his career.
The wrestling legend was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by Hogan in 2006.
During his acceptance speech, Okerlund requested that he be buried face down so that his critics could 'Kiss my a**'.
Okerlund returned to the WWE from World Championship Wrestling in 2001 and had a lifetime contract with the network. He is pictured here with Sharlto Copley and Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson on Monday Night Raw in 2010
Okerlund appeared in a commercial with Kevin Hart last year. Hart posted this photo as tribute, writing 'RIP to a legend'
Hulk Hogan, Triple H, Florida Man, and Sasha Bank were among those who posted tributes for Okerlund on Tuesday morning
Okerlund hosted various programs after rejoining the network, including WWE Madison Square Garden Classics, WWE Vintage Collection, and WWE Raw.
In 2012, when he was 70 years old, Okerlund got back into the ring with World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus to beat Daniel Bryan and Alberto Del Rio during the WWE Smackdown: Blast from the Past.
Okerlund was also a regular cast member on WWE's original reality show Legend's House from April to June 2014.
He made his last appearance on WWE TV in January 2018, interviewing AJ Styles on the 25th anniversary episode of Raw.
Okerlund leaves behind his wife Jeanne, who he married in 1964, and two children.
Okerlund was also a regular cast member on WWE's original reality show Legend's House from April to June 2014. He is pictured here with fellow cast members Tony Atlas, Hillbilly Jim, Jimmy Hart, and Roddy Piper
Okerlund leaves behind his wife Jeanne, who he married in 1964, and two adult children
Hogan led tributes for Okerlund on Tuesday morning, tweeting: 'Mean Gene I love you my brother.'
Triple H called Okerlund and a 'voice and soundtrack to an entire era of our industry'.
'He was the star of some of WWE's most memorable segments. "Mean Gene" was beloved by all who got to work with him,' he added.
Share this article
'Mean Gene was the voice of millions of childhoods. Mine certainly. An honor to meet him,' wrote Florida Man.
Long-time WWE referee Charles Robinson called Okerlund a 'true class act'.
'So sad to hear of the passing of one of the greatest voices in wrestling,' he wrote. 'Mean Gene you will be missed and we will continue to love you.'
Okerlund is pictured here during a WWE Hall of Fame ceremony in 2014. He was a beloved icon of the sport
