CAPT. LOU ALBANO PASSED AWAY
  • 10/14/2009 (12:46:03 pm)
  • Georgiann Makropoulos

……

 LOU ALBANO  7/29/1933 - 10/14/2009   (Rest in Peace, dear friend)

Albano began his career as part of The Sicilians tag team with partner Tony Altamore. As his career as an active wrestler waned he moved into managing and was one of the best known managers in the WWE as well as professional wrestling.

Albano managed champions including The Valiant Brothers, The Wild Samoans, The Yukon Lumberjacks, The Mongols (Bepo & Geeto) and The Moondogs among others. Albano also walked to ringside with the likes of Ivan Koloff, George Steele, King Curtis, Jimmy Snuka, Don Muraco, Luke Graham, Ken Patera, Andre the Giant and countless others.

Albano, long known for being a loud, brash and effective talker when behind the mic was instrumental in Hulk Hogan's career and the livelihood of the WWE (then the WWF) taking off in the early 80s when he feuded with pop star Cyndi Lauper.

Capt. Lou Albano, best known for being an integral part of the 1980s "Rock & Wrestling Connection" and appearing in several music videos and movies, including the live action "Super Mario Bros. Super Show".

Capt. Lou also did some commentating for Herb Abrams' UWF along with Bruno Sammartino.

Capt. Lou has been inducted into several wrestling Hall of Fame's including the WWE and has written "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Professional Wrestling" with Bert Sugar as well as his autobiography "Often Imitated, Never Duplicated." 

Capt. Lou was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in the Class of 1996 along with Jimmy Snuka, Johnny Rodz,  Killer Kowalski, Baron Scicluna, Pat Patterson, The Valiant Brothers and Vincent J. McMahon, Sr.  Ironically, Lou managed Snuka, Scicluna and the Valiant Brothers.

Capt. Lou will be missed terribly.  He was always an extremely colorful presence in the wrestling business. 

More details to follow shortly.

Here are just a few Lou moments on YouTube:
 
Capt. Lou in "Girls Just Wanna have Fun":
 
Roddy Piper and Lou Albano on Hollywood Squares
 
Capt. Lou video Just Say No to Drugs:
 
 
Also a friend just reminded me that Capt. Lou was called "The Guiding Light" in the WWWF/WWF by Vince McMahon, many, many times.

All of us here at WrestlingFigs, would like to send along our deepest sympathy and condolences to the Albano family, friends and the countless number of fans.  Lou will sorely be missed.  One of the most colorful figures in Wrestling, bar none.

The WWE.com has a tribute for Lou on their site.  With a nice write up by Howie Finkel.

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Today the wrestling world mourns wrestling legend Captain Lou Albano, but Afa and Sika Anoa`i "The Wild Samoans" mourn their long time friend and manager that they affectionately call "Captain". Our hearts are broken for Captain's family, friends, and fans. For anyone who knew him knew that he was one of a kind, often imitated but never duplicated. A good friend, hero to many.
 
On behalf of Afa, Sika, and all of WXW, we will deeply miss the Captain.  
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