Gorilla Monsoon
Robert James Marella (June 4, 1937 – October 6, 1999), better known by his ring name of Gorilla Monsoon, was an American professional wrestler, play-by-play commentator, and booker.
| Gorilla Monsoon | |
|---|---|
Monsoon in 1977 | |
| Birth name | Robert James Marella |
| Born | June 4, 1937 Rochester, New York, U.S. |
| Died | October 6, 1999 (aged 62) Willingboro Township, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Complications of diabetes |
| Alma mater | Ithaca College |
| Spouse(s) |
Maureen Marella (m. 1959) |
| Children | 4, including Joey Marella and Víctor Quiñones |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Gino Marella Gorilla Monsoon Bob Marella Manchuria Giant |
| Billed height | 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) |
| Billed weight | 401 lb (182 kg) |
| Billed from | Manchuria Willingboro, New Jersey |
| Trained by | Stu Hart |
| Debut | 1958 |
| Retired | 1997 |
Monsoon is famous for his run as a villainous super-heavyweight main eventer, and later as the voice of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), as commentator and backstage manager during the 1980s and 1990s. He also portrayed the on-screen role of WWF President from 1995 to 1997.
In professional wrestling, the staging area just behind the entrance curtain at an event, a position which Marella established and where he could often be found during WWF shows late in his career, is named the "Gorilla Position" in his honor.
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