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Ray Heenan

Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Birthdate

1944-11-01

Day of Death

2017-09-17

Place of Birth

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Ray Heenan

Biography

Raymond Louis Heenan was an American professional wrestling manager, color commentator, wrestler, and comedian. He performed with the American Wrestling Association (AWA), WWE and World Championship Wrestling (WCW) under the ring name Bobby "The Brain" Heenan. Heenan was known for his skill in elevating villainous on-screen talent by drawing negative reactions for himself and his wrestlers from the crowd. He was paired with numerous wrestlers, including Nick Bockwinkel, whom he led to win the AWA World Heavyweight Championship, and he became an integral figure in the 1980s professional wrestling boom by managing King Kong Bundy and André the Giant in WWE main event matches with Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania 2 and WrestleMania III respectively. The wrestlers under his tutelage were collectively known as "The Heenan Family" at various times throughout his career. Known for his quick wit and comedic ability, Heenan also served as a color commentator and is remembered for his on-screen repartee with Gorilla Monsoon. Outside of wrestling, Heenan authored two books, appeared on numerous television shows, and briefly hosted a parody talk show titled The Bobby Heenan Show on WWE Prime Time Wrestling. Heenan retired in 2001 at WrestleMania X-Seven after a seventeen-year stint as a commentator in professional wrestling but he continued to make sporadic appearances in several promotions. In 2002, he was diagnosed with throat cancer, which limited his appearances in later years, and died from complications of the disease in 2017. Among other honors, he has been inducted into the Professional Wrestling, WWE, and Wrestling Observer halls of fame. After his death, multiple wrestling commentators described his manager persona as the "greatest professional wrestling manager of all time."

Filmography (117)

⭐ 6.0 Role: Unknown

Sting: The Lost Tape

2020
⭐ 7.3 Role: Self (archive footage)

Andre the Giant

2018
⭐ 9.2 Role: Unknown

WWE: Ring in the Holiday

2015
⭐ 10.0 Role: Bobby "The Brain" Heenan

WWE Greatest Wrestling Factions

2014
⭐ 0 Role: Bobby "The Brain" Heenan (Archive Footage)

Warrior's Greatest Matches

2014
⭐ 8.8 Role: Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan (archive footage)

WWE: Undertaker 20-0 - The Streak

2012
⭐ 8.2 Role: Bobby Heenan

The True Story of WrestleMania

2011
⭐ 6.7 Role: Unknown

WWE: Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan

2010
⭐ 9.5 Role: Himself

WWE: The Best of Raw 15th Anniversary

2007
⭐ 7.9 Role: Bobby Heenan

WWE: Hulk Hogan: The Ultimate Anthology

2006
⭐ 8.0 Role: Unknown

WWE: 20 Years Too Soon - The Superstar Billy Graham Story

2006
⭐ 5.5 Role: Himself

The World's Greatest Wrestling Managers

2006
⭐ 0 Role: Bobby Heenan (Commentary)

TNA Turning Point 2005

2005
⭐ 6.5 Role: Himself

The Self Destruction of the Ultimate Warrior

2005
⭐ 7.8 Role: Self

The Greatest Wrestling Stars of the '80s

2005