Born Freddie Kenneth Blassie in St. Louis, MO on February 8, 1918. Made his pro debut in 1935. In his formative years, he was a popular babyface. During WWII, he joined the Navy and continued to wrestle part-time as "Sailor" Fred Blassie, until he was discharged in 1946. Wrestled all the major stars of the era, and gained his first NWA World Heavyweight title match in 1950, facing Lou Thesz in Louisville, KY. Became “Fred McDaniels” in 1952, teaming with his “brother” Billy McDaniels on nationally broadcasted shows from Los Angeles. In 1953, he went solo once again, and his career really took off.
Won the Southern Heavyweight title from Don McIntyre in Birmingham, AL on February 8, 1954, which was the beginning of one of his most famous runs. He held the title a total of 14 times, and established himself as one of the top wrestlers in the business. During this time, he bleached his hair and adopted his trademark rulebreaking style. He became, arguably, the greatest wrestling villain in history. Based on this incredible success, he was brought back to Los Angeles by promoter Jules Strongbow, and given the top heel slot.
It was in the World Wrestling Association (WWA) that “Classy” Freddie Blassie became the national icon that we all came to know. He was given victories over seemingly unbeatable stars such as Lou Thesz, Shohei “Giant” Baba and Antonino Rocca, and quickly won the WWA and NAWA World Heavyweight titles. (He would hold the WWA World title on several occasions.) Blassie -- like Jerry Lawler and Jackie Fargo in Memphis, Verne Gagne in Minneapolis, Ray Stevens and Pat Patterson in San Francisco – came to embody everything that was wrestling in Los Angeles. When some one mentions the Olympic Auditorium, the name Freddie Blassie will always immediately come to mind.
He became a huge crossover star, with appearances on programs such as The Tonight Show and The Dick Van Dyke Show. For many years, Muhammad Ali – one of the most recognizable men on the planet – has claimed he adopted his interview style by watching Gorgeous George. But the truth of the matter is he was watching the one and only Freddie Blassie.
Blassie’s battles with The Destroyer (Dick Beyer), Bearcat Wright, Mr. Moto, Mil Mascaras, Bobo Brazil, to name but a scant few, are the stuff that true legends are made of. His specialty bout became the “Blassie Cage” matches. What many remember best is his legendary feud with “The Golden Greek” John Tolos, which spanned 4 decades, and set new levels for violence in the wrestling ring. Tolos blinded Blassie with Monsel’s Powder, and nearly ended his career. Their bloody grudge match was too big for the Olympic to hold, so it was moved to the Los Angeles Coliseum. In front of a crowd of nearly 26,000 people, Blassie defeated Tolos on August 27, 1971, setting a state record for largest attendance and gate ($142,158.50) – an attendance record that stands to this very day. Blassie and Tolos wrestled their final bout a full decade later.
In Japan, his penchant for drawing blood earned him the nickname of “The Vampire.” Blassie claimed to file his teeth down to sharp points, so he could cause a bloody massacre. According to legend, during his classic bouts with Rikidozan, several people dropped dead from heart attacks, at the sight of all the carnage. He was one of the biggest draws ever in Japan, and his aura of danger followed him until he was much older and walking with a cane. When fans saw Freddie Blassie coming, they would flee in terror.
His knees could no longer take the abuse that wrestling provides by the early 70s, so he went on to become one of the premier managers in the business. He led a “who’s who” of stars, including George “The Animal” Steele, Nikolai Volkoff and a young upstart named Hulk Hogan. In 1983, he managed the Iron Sheik to the WWF World Heavyweight title.
With his recording of the song “Pencil Neck Geek” and the bizarre film My Breakfast with Blassie (co-starring comedian Andy Kaufman), he maintained a devoted cult following, which was only heightened by his wrestling appearances throughout the 80s in the WWF. Even after he retired as an active performer in 1986, Blassie still was one of the most popular wrestling personalities in the world. He was deeply revered amongst his peers as well. Blassie was nominated to the WWF Hall of Fame in 1994, and is one of 15 men to be awarded the Iron Mike award by the Cauliflower Alley Club.
Before his death, he released his typically forthright and candid biography, Listen, You Pencil Neck Geeks, which many are already calling one of the best wrestling books ever published. He also appeared on WWE Raw, to promote his book, and played a small role in a match, just three weeks prior to his passing.
Whether you called him “The Hollywood Fashion Plate,” “The King of Men,” “The Vampire,” or Just “Classy” Freddie Blassie, there is no doubt that he was one of the biggest and most beloved stars the wrestling business has ever seen.
He leaves behind his wife, Miyaka. The funeral arrangements are as follows: Viewing - June 5th, Ballard Durand Funeral Home, White Plains, NY. Services - Friday, June 6th, Hitchcock Presbyterian Church, Scarsdale, NY.
