WWE Wrestler George ‘The Animal’ Steele Dead At 79

George “The Animal” Steele, a 1995 WWE Hall of Famer, well known for his distinctive body hair and green tongue, died at the age of 79 to kidney failure Feb. 16.

His passing was officially announced on the WWE’s website on Feb. 17: “Long after his in-ring retirement and WWE Hall of Fame induction, George ‘The Animal’ Steele’s name still evoked terror for one generation of WWE fans and warm smiles for another.”

Born William James Myers in 1937, Steele started out in football like so many other wrestlers, but quit after he experienced knee problems. He then turned to wrestling at venues in Detroit, where he donned a mask and called himself “The Student.”

Steele eventually gained the attention of wrester Bruno Sammartino, who told him to lose the mask and develop a crazy, wild character instead, according to Rolling Stone. Sammartino’s advice was essential in creating Steele’s signature persona.

In the early 1980s, Steele found success working with Vince McMahon’s WWE (formerly known as WWF) on televised “sports entertainment” programs.

Steele is known to wrestling fans for his scripted feud with Randy “Macho Man” Savage after he became “infatuated” with Savage’s manager, Miss Elizabeth, in 1986-87.

The Animal spent a large part of his career as a hated antihero, before becoming a fan favorite in 1987. He then started carrying around a stuffed animal, called “Mine,” which he would bring with him into the ring.

Steele originally retired in 1988 because of complications with Crohn’s disease, but briefly came out of retirement during the WWE’s “Attitude Era” in 1998.

But for movie buffs, Steele is best known for his appearance as wrestler Tor Johnson in Tim Burton’s 1994 movie, “Ed Wood,” starring Johnny Depp.

He worked as a high school teacher and wrestling coach in Detroit as his day job.

Steele’s wife, Patricia, told the New York Post that her husband had been suffering a long time from kidney problems and has been in and out of hospitals since December.

His colleagues and fans expressed their condolences on social media.

“George ‘the Animal’ Steel,RIP my brother,only love,only grateful. HH,” tweeted Hulk Hogan on Feb. 17.

“REST IN PEACE GEORGE THE ANIMAL STEELE. YOU WERE ALWAYS THE INTELLIGENT BROTHER I LOVE YOU,” wrote The Iron Sheik on Feb. 17.

“Sad to hear the passing of old friend & fellow [WWE member] George “The Animal” Steele at age 79. [He] was good man. RIP,” Jim Ross tweeted on Feb. 17:

Sources: New York Post, Rolling Stone / Photo credit: WWE via Fox News