Louis Vincent "Captain Lou" Albano (July 29, 1933 – October 14, 2009) was an Italian-born American professional wrestler, manager and actor. He was active as a professional wrestler from 1953 until 1969 before becoming a manager until 1995.Over the course of his 42-year career Albano guided 15 different tag teams and four singles competitors to championship gold. Albano was one of the "Triumvirate of Terror," a threesome of nefarious WWF managers which included The Grand Wizard of Wrestling and Freddie Blassie. The trio was a fixture in the company for a decade until The Grand Wizard's death in 1983.A unique showman, with an elongated beard, rubber band facial piercings, and loud outfits, Albano was the forefather of the 1980s Rock 'n' Wrestling Connection. Collaborating with Cyndi Lauper, Albano helped usher in wrestling's crossover success with a mainstream audience. Capitalizing on his success, he later ventured into Hollywood with various television, film, and music projects. He became well-known to a new generation of fans as the actor and voice of Mario in The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!
October 14, 2009, Westchester County, New York, United States
Place Of Birth
Rome, Lazio, Italy
Height
5' 10" (1.78 m)
Weight
158.8 kg
Profession
Actor, Soundtrack
Education
University of Tennessee
Spouse
Geraldine Albano (m. 1953–2009)
Parents
Carmen Louis, Eleanor Albano
Siblings
Carl Albano, Eleanor Albano, George Albano, Vincent Albano
Movies
Body Slam, Wise Guys, The Big Event, The Boys Behind the Desk, Cyndi Lauper: 12 Deadly Cyns... and Then Some
TV Shows
The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!, Saturday Night's Main Event, Sid & Marty Krofft's Red Eye Express
Star Sign
Leo
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Trademark
1
Goatee
2
Hawaiian or colorful button shirts
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Quote
1
I was never a great wrestler. I did mostly running.
2
It's not how big you are, it's how you perform in the ring.
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Fact
1
Attended Kansas State University with Dick 'Cami' Camillucci (future partner in the Peppermint Lounge) until they were both thrown out of school for a brawl they didn't start.
2
Was a bouncer at the Peppermint Lounge in the 1960s.
3
Published author.
4
Was the voice of Mario on The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! (1989) cartoon that ran 1989-1991. Initially, he was not interested in doing the voice or playing Mario in the live-action host segments opposite Danny Wells (who played Luigi), but his wife persuaded him to take the role. After agreeing to play Mario, Lou decided to shave off his trademark goatee and grew a real handlebar mustache as opposed to wearing a fake one.
5
Brother of Big Daddy Spatts who sold his pizza restaurant to producer/performer Anthony Begonia's grandparents.