WWE has confirmed the sad passing of Mean Gene Okerlund.
“Mean” Gene was the voice of the WWE for the 1980’s wrestling boom. Much like Hulk Hogan, Gene got his start in the AWA working for Verne Gagne.
Gene Okerlund would also join Hulk Hogan in WCW in 1994.
In later years, Gene would pop up as the host of WWE Confidential and most recently as a part of the Legends House reality show.
Gene Okerlund was 76 years old. Our condolences go out to Gene’s family and friends:
WWE is saddened to learn that WWE Hall of Famer Gene Okerlund, the most recognizable interviewer in sports-entertainment history, has passed away at age 76.
In his early days, “Mean Gene”, as he was named by fellow Minnesotan, Jesse “The Body” Ventura first came to prominence by interviewing the greatest stars of the AWA, including Ventura, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan and Hulk Hogan. In 1984, Okerlund made the move to WWE where he became a staple on national cable television by continuing to interview the biggest names in sports-entertainment like Hogan, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, The Ultimate Warrior and many more.
Okerlund branched out from interviewing by providing ringside commentary and hosting several shows, including All-American Wrestling, Tuesday Night Titans, Wrestling Challenge and Prime Time Wrestling. Announcing wasn’t all that Okerlund could do with a microphone, as his distinct voice sung the National Anthem at the first WrestleMania in 1985. Later that year, Okerlund would sing “Tutti Frutti” on WWE’s The Wrestling Album.
In 1993, Okerlund joined WCW as lead interviewer where he continued to interview many of the legends he had worked with in the AWA and WWE as well as WCW stalwarts, Sting, Diamond Dallas Page, Goldberg and others.
In 2001, Okerlund returned to WWE to call the Gimmick Battle Royal at WrestleMania 17 along with Bobby “The Brain” Heenan and continued to appear on WWE television programming, including being a cast member on WWE Network’s Legends’ House.
WWE extends its condolences to Okerlund’s family, friends and fans.
Hulk Hogan commented on Gene’s passing with a simple, yet strong. tweet:
Mean Gene I love you my brother HH
— Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) January 2, 2019
