“Mean” Gene Okerlund, who rose to prominence as an iconic pro-wrestling interviewer, has died, World Wrestling Entertainment announced Wednesday. He was 76.
He was “a voice and sound track to an entire era of our industry,” WWE’s Triple H tweeted Wednesday morning.
Okerlund’s career spanned decades, taking him from the American Wrestling Association to the then-World Wrestling Federation to World Championship Wrestling. He was honored for his career in 2006 when he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Members of the pro-wrestling community took to Twitter to express their condolences.
A voice and sound track to an entire era of our industry. He was the star of some of ’s most memorable segments. “Mean Gene” was beloved by all who got to work with him. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.
— Triple H (@TripleH)
💔 Legend
— Mercedes Moné Varnado (@MercedesVarnado)
Mean Gene was the voice of millions of childhoods. Mine certainly. An honor to meet him. Condolences to his family.
— Ettore “Big E” Ewen (@WWEBigE)
Of the very few regrets I harbor in my career, one was never getting to scream "Mean Gene" when answering the queries of a man who presence was larger than life and ingrained in the better memories of my childhood.
RIP Mean Gene.
My condolences to the Okerlund family.— Samoa Joe (@SamoaJoe)
💔 Rest easy your Legacy shall live in forever 💋
— Mickie James~Aldis (@MickieJames)
A voice of my childhood, and one of the greatest of all time — you will be missed, Gene. 🙏
— Nattie (@NatbyNature)
— Dean “Mojo” Muhtadi (@MojoMuhtadi)
RIP MY BROTHER GENE MEAN. YOU PUT ME OVER LIKE NOBODY. I LOVE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY SINCE THE MINNESOTA. GIVE MY BROTHER NIKOLAI BUG HUG. GOD BLESS YOU. CAMERA MAN ZOOM IT.
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik)
So sad to hear of the passing of one of the greatest voices in wrestling. Mean Gene you will be missed and we will continue to love you. What a true class act. I am very fortunate to work with you.
— Charles Robinson (@WWERobinson)
The voice of my youth. Condolences to his friends and family.
— Mustafa Ali (@MustafaAli_X)
RIP “Mean” Gene. Thanks for the memories and being a Gentleman.
God Bless. 🙏
— Bully Ray (@bullyray5150)
https://twitter.com/Ligero1/status/1080491123070717952
Mean Gene I love you my brother HH
— Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan)
