Date of Birth: November 1, 1944
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
Date of Death: September 17, 2017
Biography
Robert James “Bobby” Heenan, better known by his ring name Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, was an American professional wrestling manager, wrestler, and color commentator, born on November 1, 1944. Heenan was widely regarded as one of the greatest managers and color commentators in professional wrestling history due to his quick wit, charisma, and ability to elevate the talents he managed. Heenan began his career in the 1960s, initially wrestling under the name “Pretty Boy” Bobby Heenan before transitioning to a managerial role. He rose to prominence in the American Wrestling Association (AWA) where he managed top talents like Nick Bockwinkel and Ray Stevens. He later joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) in 1984, where he became even more famous. As the leader of “The Heenan Family,” he managed some of the biggest names in wrestling, including Andre the Giant, Rick Rude, and Mr. Perfect (Curt Hennig). In addition to his managerial duties, Heenan was an accomplished color commentator, partnering with Gorilla Monsoon to form one of the most beloved commentary teams in wrestling history. After leaving WWF in 1993, he continued his career in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) until 2000. Heenan’s contributions to wrestling were recognized with multiple Hall of Fame inductions, including the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004. Heenan’s career was marked by his sharp humor and ability to generate immense crowd reactions, both positive and negative. Despite facing numerous health challenges later in life, including throat cancer, he remained a beloved figure in the wrestling community until his death on September 17, 2017.
5 Interesting Facts about Bobby Heenan
1. Bobby Heenan was known for his sharp wit and was often referred to as “The Brain” for his intelligence and cunning in the wrestling world.
2. He was a significant part of one of the most memorable moments in wrestling history, managing Andre the Giant during his legendary match against Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania III.
3. Heenan authored two autobiographies, “Bobby The Brain: Wrestling’s Bad Boy Tells All” (2002) and “Chair Shots and Other Obstacles: Winning Life’s Wrestling Matches” (2004).
4. Despite being a villain onscreen, Heenan was deeply respected and loved by his peers in the wrestling industry for his professionalism and sense of humor.
5. Heenan’s commentary partnership with Gorilla Monsoon is often cited as one of the greatest in wrestling history, known for their chemistry and entertaining banter.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Bobby Heenan
1. “A friend in need is a pest.”
2. “You don’t have to yell at me! I’m not blind!”
3. “I know all about cheating. I’ve had six very successful marriages.”
4. “I told you, Monsoon, you should have gone to the brain for advice. But no, you wanted to do it your way.”
5. “This is like J.R. Ewing and Cliff Barnes on Dallas!”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Bobby Heenan’s net worth was estimated to be around $5 million.
Children
Bobby Heenan had one daughter, Jessica Ida Heenan, with his wife Cynthia Jean Perrett, whom he married in 1978. Jessica was a constant source of support and joy for Heenan throughout his life and career.
Relevant Links
1. [WWE Hall of Fame Profile](https://www.wwe.com/superstars/bobby-heenan
2. [Bobby Heenan on IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0374131/
4. [Bobby Heenan’s WWE Alumni Page](https://www.wwe.com/superstars/bobbyheenan