Ray Heenan
Born
1 November 1944 (81)
Place of Birth
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Also known as
Bobby Heenan, Bobby "The Brain" 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 A...
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 (40)
Sting: The Lost Tape
2020
Andre the Giant
2018
WWE: Ring in the Holiday
2015
WWE Greatest Wrestling Factions
2014
Warrior's Greatest Matches
2014
WWE: Undertaker 20-0 - The Streak
2012
The True Story of WrestleMania
2011
WWE: Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan
2010
WWE: The Best of Raw 15th Anniversary
2007
WWE: Hulk Hogan: The Ultimate Anthology
2006
WWE: 20 Years Too Soon - The Superstar Billy Graham Story
2006
The World's Greatest Wrestling Managers
2006
TNA Turning Point 2005
2005
The Self Destruction of the Ultimate Warrior
2005
The Greatest Wrestling Stars of the '80s
2005
ROH: All Star Extravaganza 2
2004
WWE Hall of Fame 2004
2004
The Monday Night War - WWE Raw vs. WCW Nitro
2004
WWE: The World's Greatest Wrestling Managers
2004
Hollywood Hulk Hogan: Hulk Still Rules
2002
WWE: Triple H - The Game
2002
WCW/NWO Superstar Series: Diamond Dallas Page - Feel the Bang!
1999
WCW The Great American Bash 1996
1996
WCW All Nighter 1995
1995
Timemaster
1995
Bret "Hit Man" Hart: His Greatest Matches
1993
WWE Global Warfare
1993
WWE UK Fan Favorites 1993
1993
All Aboard the Lex Express
1993
WWE Invasion of the Bodyslammers
1993
WWE Bashed in the USA
1993
WWE UK Rampage '93
1993
WWE WrestleFest '93
1993
WWE Royal Rumble 1993
1993
WWE World Tour 1992
1992
WBF Championship 1992
1992
WWE Crunch Classic
1992
WWE UK Rampage '92
1992
Hulkamania 6
1991
WWE Survivor Series Showdown 1991
1991