Who Is Road Warrior Animal? Age, Biography and Wiki
Road Warrior Animal, born as Joseph Michael Laurinaitis on September 12, 1960, was an iconic figure in professional wrestling. He gained fame as one half of the tag team "The Road Warriors," alongside his partner Hawk. Known for their intimidating looks and dynamic in-ring performances, the duo became synonymous with professional wrestling during the 1980s and 1990s. Animal's legacy continues to inspire many within the wrestling world, despite his passing on September 22, 2020.
| Occupation | Wrestlers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | September 12, 1960 |
| Age | 60 Years |
| Birth Place | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Virgo |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 22 September, 2020 |
| Died Place | Osage Beach, Missouri, U.S. |
Popularity
Road Warrior Animal's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
- Height: 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm)
- Weight: 280 lbs (127 kg)
- Body Stats: Road Warrior Animal had a muscular and imposing physique, which was critical to his wrestling persona. His strong build was a major asset during his time in the ring, allowing him to engage in high-impact matches.
When Paul Ellering was looking to put together a stable of heels in Georgia Championship Wrestling (GCW) called the "Legion of Doom", it was decided to put Laurinaitis together with his good friend Mike Hegstrand and change their names to "Animal" and "Hawk" respectively. Thus, the Road Warriors were born.
They first started out as biker gimmicks; on The Road Warriors DVD, Animal said he felt like one of the Village People. To look more intimidating, the two shaved their heads into Mohawks and started wearing studded dog collars, spiked shoulder pads, and face paint.
The look and name were taken from The Road Warrior, helping to paint the two as no-mercy monsters. Their interview style was vicious, yet charismatic and a bit humorous. They wrestled their first match together in June 1983.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Road Warrior Animal was married to his long-time wife, Julie Laurinaitis, with whom he shared a close bond and two children. While there have been no publicized relationships or affairs after his marriage, Animal was known for his devotion to his family. His legacy lives on through his children, who continue to honor his memory.
Laurinaitis and his ex-wife Julie, a former powerlifter and bodybuilder, had two children, son James (born 1986) and daughter Jessica (born 1989). Laurinaitis also had a son named Joseph (born 1981) from a previous marriage. He coached youth football for Wayzata, the school his son played for.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing, Road Warrior Animal's net worth was estimated to be around $1.5 million. His income was primarily derived from his wrestling career, merchandise sales, and appearances at wrestling conventions and events. While specific salary figures may vary, Animal was known to have earned a solid income throughout his wrestling tenure and continued to thrive in business endeavors following his retirement.
Over the course of his career, Animal appeared with professional wrestling promotions including Georgia Championship Wrestling, Jim Crockett Promotions / World Championship Wrestling, the American Wrestling Association (AWA), All Japan Pro Wrestling, and the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) / World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
He held multiple championships, including the AWA World Tag Team Championship, NWA National Tag Team Championship, NWA World Six-Man Tag Team Championship, NWA World Tag Team Championship, WWE Tag Team Championship, and WWF Tag Team Championship, and headlined multiple pay-per-view events, including competing for the WCW World Heavyweight Champions
hip at WCW Sin.
Career, Business and Investments
Road Warrior Animal's wrestling career began in the early 1980s and spanned several decades, marking him as one of the most influential wrestlers of his time. He competed in major promotions, including the WWE, WCW, and NWA. As part of The Road Warriors, he won multiple tag team championships and left a significant impact on the sport.
After retiring from in-ring competition, Animal explored various business opportunities, including owning a wrestling school and participating in merchandise sales. His charisma and knowledge of the industry also led to opportunities in commentary and appearances on wrestling-themed shows.
Laurinaitis made his debut in November 1982, competing as The Road Warrior using a biker gimmick. After only a few matches as a singles competitor, his career and life would change thanks to an idea by Paul Ellering.
Social Network
Although Road Warrior Animal passed away in 2020, his legacy endures on social media platforms. His profiles, managed by family or fans, continue to share memories, tributes, and highlights from his career. Fans can find content related to him on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, keeping the spirit of The Road Warriors alive.
Education
Details regarding Road Warrior Animal's formal education are limited. However, his dedication to wrestling and determination to succeed played a critical role in shaping his career. Animal’s experience in the ring can also be seen as a form of education in itself, as he learned the intricacies of professional wrestling over the years.
He is of Lithuanian ancestry. He grew up in Minnesota, having to work for a living from a very early age. He attended Irondale High School. Because of his size and love of power lifting, Laurinaitis was an imposing figure and thus a very effective bouncer.
He worked as a bouncer at Grandma B's in the Twin Cities where he caught the eye of Eddie Sharkey, a well-known wrestling trainer. Sharkey thought that Laurinaitis and Mike Hegstrand, Richard Rood, and Barry Darsow could make it big in professional wrestling, and trained all four of them.
