Source: New York Daily News
Wednesday was a sad day for wrestling when one of its great characters, showman and gentleman Captain Lou Albano, 76, died in Carmel, N.Y.
Born in Rome but raised in Mount Vernon, Lou got the wrestling bug while in the Army.
He turned pro and joined the WWWF (1963) under Vince McMahon Sr., teaming with Tony Altimore to form the Sicilians. When injuries forced him to retire he took a job that was then considered mundane – manager.
But nothing Lou did was mundane as he made managing an art form. With his hair looking like he combed it with WD-40, a ring around his goatee and a wardrobe worthy of the finest rummage sales, he goaded the opposition to distraction.
He led an army of wrestlers such as Ivan Koloff (who ended Bruno Sammartino’s seven-year title reign), the Wild Samoans and the Valiant Brothers to world titles and eventually turned to acting (“Wise Guys”) became an author (co-writing “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Pro Wrestling”) and helped launch singer Cyndi Lauper.
An ambassador of goodwill, he always stressed, “Stay in school and respect your parents.” He was also the voice of the cartoon Mario on the “Super Mario Bros. Super Show!” and to us he became Super Lou!
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