Dean Hart
Encyclopedia
Dean Harry Anthony Hart was a Canadian professional wrestler, referee and member of the Hart family
who wrestled in Canadian regional promotions during the 1970s and 1980s, most notably in the Calgary-based Stampede Wrestling
.
and Helen Hart
, Dean Hart began wrestling in his father's Stampede Wrestling promotion along with younger brothers Bret
and Owen Hart
during the 1970s and 80s and was later associated with Peter Maivia
's Hawaii promotion.
Diagnosed with Bright's disease
during the late 1980s, he eventually died of kidney disease on November 21, 1990. His death was the day before the WWF Survivor Series
that year, and commentator Roddy Piper
stated that Bret dedicated his match to Dean.
Hart was the first of the Hart family to suffer an early death. His sister, Diana Hart
, stated in her book that had any members of the Hart family been tested as a compatible donor, a kidney
transplant
might have saved his life. However, this option was never discussed by the family.
Hart wrestling family
The Hart wrestling family is a Canadian family with a significant history within professional wrestling. The patriarch of the family is wrestling legend and WWE Hall of Famer Stu Hart, amateur and professional wrestler, promoter and trainer, who not only owned and operated his own wrestling...
who wrestled in Canadian regional promotions during the 1970s and 1980s, most notably in the Calgary-based Stampede Wrestling
Stampede Wrestling
Stampede Wrestling is a Canadian professional wrestling promotion based in Calgary, Alberta and was for nearly 50 years one of the main promotions in western Canada and the Canadian Prairies...
.
Career
Born to StuStu Hart
Stewart Edward "Stu" Hart, CM was a Canadian amateur wrestler, professional wrestler, promoter and trainer. Hart founded Stampede Wrestling, a promotion based in Calgary, Alberta, and was the father of famous wrestlers Bret and Owen Hart...
and Helen Hart
Helen Hart
Helen Hart may refer to*Helen Hart , a character from the soap opera Family Affairs.*Helen Hart , the wife of Canadian wrestling patriarch Stu Hart.*Helen Hart , writer of children's books...
, Dean Hart began wrestling in his father's Stampede Wrestling promotion along with younger brothers Bret
Bret Hart
Bret Hart is a Canadian on-screen personality, writer, actor and Semi-retired professional wrestler. Like others in the Hart wrestling family, Hart has an amateur wrestling background, including wrestling at Ernest Manning High School and Mount Royal College...
and Owen Hart
Owen Hart
Owen James Hart was a Canadian professional and amateur wrestler who worked for several promotions including Stampede Wrestling, New Japan Pro Wrestling , World Championship Wrestling , and most notably, the World Wrestling Federation , where he wrestled under both his own name, and ring name The...
during the 1970s and 80s and was later associated with Peter Maivia
Peter Maivia
Fanene Leifi Pita Maivia was a American Samoan professional wrestler better known as "High Chief" Peter Maivia. He was head of the famous Samoan wrestling family...
's Hawaii promotion.
Diagnosed with Bright's disease
Bright's disease
Bright's disease is a historical classification of kidney diseases that would be described in modern medicine as acute or chronic nephritis. The term is no longer used, as diseases are now classified according to their more fully understood causes....
during the late 1980s, he eventually died of kidney disease on November 21, 1990. His death was the day before the WWF Survivor Series
Survivor Series (1990)
Survivor Series was the fourth annual Survivor Series pay-per-view professional wrestling event produced by the World Wrestling Federation...
that year, and commentator Roddy Piper
Roddy Piper
Roderick George Toombs , better known by his ring name "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, is a Canadian semi-retired professional wrestler and film actor who is currently signed to WWE. In professional wrestling, he is best known for his work with WWE...
stated that Bret dedicated his match to Dean.
Hart was the first of the Hart family to suffer an early death. His sister, Diana Hart
Diana Hart
Diana Joyce Hart-Smith is the youngest daughter of Canadian wrestling promoter Stu Hart and now his youngest living child. She is also the former wife of wrestler "British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith and mother of former WWE superstar David Hart Smith. She was also the 1997 Mrs...
, stated in her book that had any members of the Hart family been tested as a compatible donor, a kidney
Kidney
The kidneys, organs with several functions, serve essential regulatory roles in most animals, including vertebrates and some invertebrates. They are essential in the urinary system and also serve homeostatic functions such as the regulation of electrolytes, maintenance of acid–base balance, and...
transplant
Organ transplant
Organ transplantation is the moving of an organ from one body to another or from a donor site on the patient's own body, for the purpose of replacing the recipient's damaged or absent organ. The emerging field of regenerative medicine is allowing scientists and engineers to create organs to be...
might have saved his life. However, this option was never discussed by the family.
Further reading
- Billington, Tom and Alison Coleman. Pure Dynamite: The Price you Pay for Wrestling Stardom. Winding Stair Press, 2001. ISBN 1553660846
- McCoy, Heath. Pain and Passion: The History of Stampede Wrestling. Toronto: CanWest Books, 2005. ISBN 0-9736719-8-X
Championships and Accomplishments
- Stampede WrestlingStampede WrestlingStampede Wrestling is a Canadian professional wrestling promotion based in Calgary, Alberta and was for nearly 50 years one of the main promotions in western Canada and the Canadian Prairies...
- Stampede British Commonwealth Heavyweight Championship (3 times)