(WXYZ) — WWE Hall of Fame announcer "Mean Gene" Okerlund has died at the age of 76, the company announced on Wednesday. One of the most-recognizable interviewers in sports entertainment, Okerlund joined WWE in 1984 before going to WCW in 1993. He re-joined WWE in 2001 where he worked until his death.
Before his time in WWE, Okerlund worked in AWA where he interviewed Jesse "The Body" Ventura, Hulk Hogan and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan.
He continued to appear on various WWE Television programming until his death on the WWE Network, and was a cast member on the WWE Network Show "Legends' House."
Okerlund was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by Hogan in 2006.
A voice and sound track to an entire era of our industry. He was the star of some of @WWE’s most memorable segments. “Mean Gene” was beloved by all who got to work with him. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time. https://t.co/9ddj6372eE
— Triple H (@TripleH) January 2, 2019
Mean Gene was the voice of millions of childhoods. Mine certainly. An honor to meet him. Condolences to his family. pic.twitter.com/krsMtbeNIl
— Florida Man (@WWEBigE) January 2, 2019
Rest in Power #MeanGene. Thank you for shaping my childhood. “Put that cigarette out” 🙏🏻
— Mike Kanellis (@RealMikeBennett) January 2, 2019
