Karl Von Hess
Encyclopedia
Karl Von Hess was an American professional wrestler
.
, Von Hess was a lifeguard and swimming teacher before entering the navy in World War II
serving aboard the USS Montpelier
in the Underwater Demolition Corps
. Upon his discharge, he worked the carnival circuit for several years, then worked in various regional wrestling promotions.
In post World War 1955 he was inspired by another wrestler, Kurt Von Poppenheim
(of the Pacific Northwest
) who had a local "heel
" gimmick, and there Von Hess further developed the gimmick of the villain into the wrestling personna of a Nazi sympathizer there being the first to take the gimmick nationwide . In doing this, Von Hess became one of the most hated wrestlers; and fans flocked to the arenas to boo him. He adopted the name of Karl Von Hess, later changing his name legally. Von Hess was so convincing as a "heel" that some fans tried to stab him, burn him, and even shoot at him . Von Hess quickly rose to fame in Vince McMahon Sr
's World Wide Wrestling Federation
(WWWF), drawing huge crowds wherever he went. In truth, he was reportedly, not a Nazi sympathizer, but used the gimmick to inspire the position of the villainous "heel".
In the early 1960s, Von Hess's gimmick began to wear thin, and he was gradually phased out of the WWWF. He continued to work in various wrestling promotions before quitting the business in the late 1960s.
Von Hess died on August 12, 2009 of Alzheimer's disease
.
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
.
Early life and career
Born Frank Fakety (or Faketty) in Michigan in 1919 to Hungarian immigrants, and raised in Omaha, NebraskaOmaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
, Von Hess was a lifeguard and swimming teacher before entering the navy in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
serving aboard the USS Montpelier
USS Montpelier (CL-57)
USS Montpelier was one of 26 United States Navy light cruisers completed during or shortly after World War II. She was the second US Navy ship to be named for the city of Montpelier, Vermont. Montpelier was commissioned in September 1942 and saw service in several campaigns in the Pacific...
in the Underwater Demolition Corps
Underwater Demolition Team
The Underwater Demolition Teams were an elite special-purpose force established by the United States Navy during World War II. They also served during the Korean War and the Vietnam War...
. Upon his discharge, he worked the carnival circuit for several years, then worked in various regional wrestling promotions.
In post World War 1955 he was inspired by another wrestler, Kurt Von Poppenheim
Pacific Coast Junior Heavyweight Championship
The Pacific Coast Junior Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestling championship that was contended for in the Pacific Northwest from the early 1940's until 1957. When the title was retired in 1957, it was the top singles title in the Pacific Northwest area.-Title history:Silver areas...
(of the Pacific Northwest
Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest is a region in northwestern North America, bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and, loosely, by the Rocky Mountains on the east. Definitions of the region vary and there is no commonly agreed upon boundary, even among Pacific Northwesterners. A common concept of the...
) who had a local "heel
Heel (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a heel is a villain character. In non-wrestling jargon, heels are the "bad guys" in professional wrestling; the term heel coming from the term take to you heels, which means to run away which heel champions tend to do to avoid losing their titles.storylines...
" gimmick, and there Von Hess further developed the gimmick of the villain into the wrestling personna of a Nazi sympathizer there being the first to take the gimmick nationwide . In doing this, Von Hess became one of the most hated wrestlers; and fans flocked to the arenas to boo him. He adopted the name of Karl Von Hess, later changing his name legally. Von Hess was so convincing as a "heel" that some fans tried to stab him, burn him, and even shoot at him . Von Hess quickly rose to fame in Vince McMahon Sr
Vincent J. McMahon
Vincent James "Vince" McMahon, better known as Vince McMahon, Sr. was an American professional wrestling promoter. He is best known for founding the American promotion, World Wide Wrestling Federation, which is now known as WWE.-Early life:Vincent James McMahon was born on July 6, 1914 in Harlem,...
's World Wide Wrestling Federation
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
(WWWF), drawing huge crowds wherever he went. In truth, he was reportedly, not a Nazi sympathizer, but used the gimmick to inspire the position of the villainous "heel".
In the early 1960s, Von Hess's gimmick began to wear thin, and he was gradually phased out of the WWWF. He continued to work in various wrestling promotions before quitting the business in the late 1960s.
Later life
After wrestling, Von Hess operated trailer parks and other businesses with his wife Lenore.Von Hess died on August 12, 2009 of Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death...
.