George Steele

Guide Note

George Steele is a semi-retired American professional wrestler.

Fast Facts

1. Full Name: William James Myers
2. Born: April 16, 1937
3. Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan
4. Billed height: 6'1"
5. Billed weight: 288 lbs
6. Finisher: Full Nelson
7. Nickname: "The Animal"
8. Dyslexic¹

Known for his hairy upper-body and green tongue, George Steele was a hated "heel" (bad guy) when he debuted in World Wrestling Entertainment. Nicknamed "the Animal," Steele bit opponents and ate the stuffing out of turnbuckles during bouts.² At the peak of his career, he had a series of matches with Pedro Morales, Chief Jay Strongbow and Bruno Sammartino.

He became a face (good guy) in the 1980s, feuding with Randy Savage over the affections of Savage's manager Miss Elizabeth. In 1987, he interfered in Savage's match with Ricky Steamboat at WrestleMania III, helping Steamboat win the WWE Intercontinental Championship.

He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1995 by Doink the Clown. Steele currently makes sporadic wrestling appearances, and sometimes acts in films. In 1994, he starred opposite Johnny Depp in Tim Burton's Ed Wood.³