Famed WWE Interviewer ‘Mean Gene’ Okerlund Dead At 76

An off-the-ring professional wrestling icon has passed away.

WWE announced the sad news Wednesday that famed interviewer Gene Okerlund, better known to fans as “Mean Gene”, died at the age of 76.

In 2006, Mean Gene was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by Hulk Hogan, who tweeted his condolences on hearing the sad news.

Mean Gene I love you my brother HH

— Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) January 2, 2019

Okerlund made a name for himself in professional wrestling in the 1970s and ’80s, interviewing stars like Hogan, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, and Jesse “The Body” Ventura, who gave him the nickname “Mean Gene”.

Thoughts also poured in on Twitter from stars and fans across the wrestling community.

RIP MY BROTHER GENE MEAN. YOU PUT ME OVER LIKE NOBODY. I LOVE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY SINCE THE MINNESOTA. GIVE MY BROTHER NIKOLAI BUG HUG. GOD BLESS YOU. CAMERA MAN ZOOM IT. pic.twitter.com/5k0VRXbKMI

— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) January 2, 2019

RIP “Mean” Gene. Thanks for the memories and being a Gentleman.

God Bless. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/AJn3HsY7Am

— Bully Ray (@bullyray5150) January 2, 2019

Heartbreaking to start the year by losing one of wrestling’s most naturally funny & entertaining human beings😔

Rest in Paradise, Mean Gene❤️ pic.twitter.com/UuNkhqUOCi

— R.Dream (@WWERDream) January 2, 2019

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

Saddened by the news of Mean Gene. Got to meet him at a convention in Philly. Man had such a presence about him. Rest in peace to one of the most important people in the history of our business 🙏

— Brian Pillman Jr. (@FlyinBrianJr) January 2, 2019

Lemme tell ya something Mean Gene!! I’ll love you forever. RIP. https://t.co/9RvNpR0jHl

— Ronald Funches (@RonFunches) January 2, 2019

oh no! rip Mean Gene 😥 https://t.co/D4DjRiNb9H

— Brandy Jensen (@BrandyLJensen) January 2, 2019

RIP Gene Okerlund. He was one of the voices of my childhood and a tremendous talent. Thanks for the memories "Mean" Gene. https://t.co/VB6PjsMurv

— Jesse Wente (@jessewente) January 2, 2019