George Steele

Who Is George Steele? Age, Biography, and Wiki

As of 2025, George Steele would have been 88 years old. Known for his larger-than-life character and memorable appearances in WWE, Steele was celebrated not only for his wrestling prowess but also for his acting roles. With his iconic green face paint and wild antics, Steele became a beloved figure in pop culture. A former high school teacher, George transitioned into wrestling in the 1960s and gained mainstream fame in the 1970s and 1980s.

For a detailed overview of his life, you can visit his Wikipedia page.

Occupation	Wrestlers
Date of Birth	April 16, 1937
Age	79 Years
Birth Place	Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Horoscope	Aries
Country	U.S
Date of death	16 February, 2017
Died Place	Cocoa Beach, Florida, U.S.

Popularity

Height, Weight & Measurements

George Steele stood tall at approximately 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) and weighed around 280 pounds (127 kg) during his prime wrestling days. His formidable physique contributed to his fearsome persona in the ring. While details on his exact body measurements remain scarce, he was known for his muscular build and unique appearance, often showcasing his brawn in various matches.

Working well with Sammartino, he was invited for a full run in the WWWF. He told WWWF TV commentator Ray Morgan that he was the nephew of Ray Steele (kayfabe) and had an extensive amateur background.

He sold the story by using an array of armlocks on opponents, weakening them for his finisher, the flying hammerlock (Steele would lift his opponents off the mat by a hammerlocked arm). He also revealed his teaching background to interviewers that made his in-ring Neanderthal image all the more incongruous.

He wrestled Sammartino to an hour-long draw at Madison Square Garden but lost the rematch. In Boston, being set up to face Sammartino for a long series in that city, he got one of the few clean wins over Victor Rivera, a top babyface, with the flying hammerlock submission, at a huge Fenway Park outdoor show.

He was then relegated to a feud with Chief Jay Strongbow, and lost to Edouard Carpentier at the Garden before taking a brief hiatus to reinvent his wildman character.

Family, Dating & Relationship Status

George Steele was married to his longtime wife, whom he affectionately referred to in various interviews. While specific details regarding his family life and any relationships after his marriage are less publicized, Steele’s devotion to his family was evident in his interviews, where he often spoke about balancing his wrestling career with his responsibilities at home. Any current dating scenarios or relationships would be speculative, anticipating hypothetical events if he were active in 2025.

Steele eventually became one of the more popular and recognizable wrestlers during most of the 1980s professional wrestling boom. He turned face during Saturday Night's Main Event I when his partners in a six-man match, Nikolai Volkoff and The Iron Sheik, abandoned him to their opponents, Ricky Steamboat and the U.S.

Express (Barry Windham and Mike Rotunda), leading to Steele being taken under the wing of the Express' manager, Capt. Lou Albano, who consoled him following the loss. His most famous feud was in 1986 against "Macho Man" Randy Savage, after Steele developed a crush on Savage's valet, Miss Elizabeth.

The feud was meant to last only a couple of months (and end with Steele being disappointed), but it proved so popular with fans that it continued well into 1987.

Steele later laughingly recalled Savage's jealousy regarding Elizabeth, his real-life girlfriend, and said he assured Savage that he had a daughter older than Elizabeth and that his infatuation was just for the show. Steele would later say that Savage was the most "jealous man" he ever met.

During Savage's Intercontinental Championship match against Steamboat at WrestleMania III, Steele—who was in Steamboat's corner—twice interfered in the match. First, he took the ring bell from Savage as he attempted to use it off of the top rope.

Secondly, after Savage kicked him and took the bell back, Steele shoved Savage off of the top rope, allowing Steamboat to roll up Savage for the pin to win the championship.

Net Worth and Salary

At the time of his passing in 2017, George Steele was estimated to have a net worth of around $500,000 to $1 million. This wealth was accrued from his decades-long career in wrestling, acting, and various endorsements. If he were living in 2025, it's reasonable to assume that his net worth could have expanded through investments and royalties from his legacy, especially considering the ongoing nostalgia for classic wrestling.

Looking to supplement his income, he got into the world of Detroit-area professional wrestling, but in order to protect his privacy, he wrestled using a mask and the name "the Student".

Gary Hart served as the Student's manager and had to explain to the announcers why his client could not apply any legitimate holds or maneuvers instead relying on only his undisciplined brute strength.

Myers was soon scouted by World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) champion Bruno Sammartino and began working in Pittsburgh in 1967 on the popular Studio Wrestling TV show broadcast on WIIC-TV (later WPXI-TV) Channel 11. Sammartino had liked the character Myers developed of a wild man with incredible strength.

However, he had him drop the mask, as well as the title of the Student. Looking to hide his real name, Myers opted for the alias "George Steele". According to Michigan High School Hall of Fame coach George Steele of Warren, he and Myers were coaching against each other in a high school JV match-up while both were early into their careers.

At halftime, Myers approached Steele and told him about his venture into wrestling and that he was looking for a name. Myers allegedly asked Steele if he could use his name, that he liked it a lot and the future Hall of Fame coach told him no problem.

Steele states in an interview available on YouTube that he was in Pittsburgh when he was looking for a stage name. Local wrestler "Jumpin'" John DeFazio suggested Jim Steele since he was in the "Steel City". He did not like the first name Jim and he suggested George which is what he eventually went with.

Career, Business, and Investments

George Steele enjoyed a successful wrestling career that spanned over 30 years, captivating fans with his persona as “The Animal.” Aside from wrestling, Steele also ventured into acting, appearing in films and television shows that showcased his charismatic personality. He also embraced business opportunities within the wrestling industry, including merchandise sales and memorabilia.

If alive in 2025, Steele might have continued to engage with his fanbase through conventions, signings, and public appearances, further enhancing his brand. His investments would likely focus on enterprises related to sports entertainment, leveraging his extensive experience in the industry.

William James Myers (April 16, 1937 – February 16, 2017), better known by his ring name George "The Animal" Steele, was an American professional wrestler, school teacher, author, and actor. His career lasted from 1967 until 1988, though he made occasional wrestling appearances into the 1990s and 2000s.

Social Network

While George Steele was known for his captivating in-person presence, his online footprint was minimal due to the nature of his time in wrestling. However, if he were alive today, it’s conceivable that he would have embraced social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter, connecting with fans and sharing memories from his storied career. His potential social network presence would offer fans a platform to engage with his legacy and follow any projects he was passionate about.

Steele became a true crazy heel, acting like a wild man in the ring, tearing up the turnbuckle with his teeth and using the stuffing as a weapon as well as sticking out his green tongue (an effect accomplished by eating green Clorets breath mints).

The Animal had a stooped posture and a hairless head, but a thick mat of fur on his back; wrestling broadcasters often speculated that The Animal was indeed "the missing link". At best, The Animal could occasionally manage to utter a word or two during interviews with one of them usually being "Duh-da-dahh" or "You! You go!"

Education

George Steele graduated from Michigan State University, where he was known for his athletic skills. He later worked as a high school teacher and a football coach, which displayed his deep commitment to education and youth development. His educational background laid the groundwork for his ability to connect with audiences, both in the classroom and in the wrestling ring.

After earning a Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University and a master's degree from Central Michigan University, Myers became a teacher, amateur wrestling coach, and football coach at Madison High School in Madison Heights, Michigan. There he would eventually become a member of the Michigan Coaches Hall of Fame.

Conclusion

George Steele was a multifaceted entertainer whose legacy continues to resonate with fans around the world. Imagining his presence in 2025 offers a fascinating glimpse into a figure who transcended the wrestling ring and became a beloved personality in the arts and sports. His life story is an inspiration, showcasing the intersections of sports, entertainment, and personal connection that define true stardom.