Captain Lou Albano dies at 76

Legendary pro wrestling manager Captain Lou Albano died this morning, MTV.com is reporting.

Albano, who was sent home from the hospital earlier this week and place under hospice care, was 76 years old.

Albano is best known to non-wrestling fans as the father in Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" video. That helped kick off the Rock 'n Wrestling connection that launched the then-WWF to national prominence in the 1980s.

What is your favorite Lou Albano memory? Leave a comment and let us know.

And here's some video of Albano from his heyday back in 1984:

-- Houston Mitchell

Comments

[Will]

Awesome video of Albano and The Hammer. If you've ever seen Captain Lou's time in the UWF it will make you puke, but in the WWF, he was the man.

[THIS COMMENT BOARD IS RACIST]

CAPTIN LOU ALBANO = SUPER MARIO. BROTHER

[Former WWF Watcher]

Very Sad. I loved Captain Lou Albano as a kid. I'm going to go toss my brother
off the ropes for old times sake. Thanks for the great entertainment. Rest in Peace, Captain!

[mykie]

To me, Captain Lou Albano will always be Mario from the Super Mario Bros. Super Show.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Super_Mario_Bros._Super_Show!

[Dr. Gonzo]

Personally, I think he best role was as "The Fixer" in the Danny DaVito movie (with Joe Piscopo) "Wise Guys." The best part is when he was in bed and his cronies were trying to cut his toe nails.

"Why do we have to do this?"

"Because I can't!" saying brashly.

"Why can's Mrs. Fixer do this?"

That part was funny. Rent it if you haven't seen it, don't pay more than a dollar for it.

Captain Zeep

[SP]

That's art

[Gruff McKinsky]

My favorite memory is that one time he died in that video...I mean is that ironic or what?

[LMA]

Captain Lou was one of the reasons I became a wrestling fan. He will be missed by many... RIP Captain

[Gus Curran]

Cyndi Lauper's Goonies video.

[Aaron]

I remember his stint as Super Mario on the cartoon series growing up.

[Mike]

Lou Albano was one of the greatest entertainers in pro-wrestling history. Albano was part of the "wwwf/wwf Holy Trinity of Managers" back in the 70s and early 80s (the others were Freddie Blassie and The Grand Wizard of Wrestling). Albano was not only a heat magnet, but he took bumps as well.

Lou Albano was also a centerpiece in the 'rock n wrestling connection' angle which launched the WWF into orbit. Lou will never be forgotten for his contributions to sports and entertainment. Thank you, Mr. Albano!

[Mike Sheridan]

The Captin was also the Manager for the Great Rock and roll band NRBQ.. R.I.P Captin Lou.. God Bless you and God bless NRBQ...

[David McHenry]

Lou was an all time great, and partly responsible for most of what wrestling is today and its success.

RIP Lou, you were one of the greats!

[Gregg]

Loved seeing him sing "Capt. Lou" with NRBQ and of course "Boardin' House Pie"!! my, my, does it get much better than Lou and the Q?!!! Thank-Q!! Captain!!

[Madman Mel]

No greater wrestling film was ever made than BODY SLAM, with Capt. Lou and Roddy Piper.

[raul]

Captain Lou, was one of the greatest managers and on air personalities that wrestling had. his voice and manneurisms had me glued to the tv. I enjoyed watching when this man was on the air from the times when rock n wrestling was hitting televisions to the cindy lauper videos, to the super mario brothers show. lou was a stud, he will be missed
rip lou

[raul]

and you cant forget the rubberbands on the beard

[Denise L]

What a nice man he was. I sat with him many times for a drink at our local bar. he will be missed. RIP

[Colin]

I remember being 7 years old and watching him on both the WWF and in the Mario Bros. show. I was a big wrestling fan back then as well and it really made it seem like he was vicariously a big part of my growing up. You will be missed sir.

[James Snuka]

I met Lou Albano when I was a kid in Mt. Vernon, NY back in the early 80's. He was the nicest guy ever. He autographed a picture for my brother and I. I'm going to go home and smash my brother over the head with a steel chair in rememberance of Captain Lou. May he rest in peace!

[Joe G]

Wow...we're all getting old. One of the best "Heat" generaters in the history of wrestling. His feud with Snuka in the 1980's was tremendous. Remember he spearheaded the attack on Snuka with Crippler Ray Stevens and the subsequent pile-driver on the cement floor. This led to a great Crippler-Snuka feud, followed by Snuka vs Albano in the Steel Cage in Madison Square Garden! Albano can be visibly seen blading with a knife or razor he kept taking in and out of his loose shirt, making the "beating" by Snuka look so real!!!!!!! One of the absolute best...RIP Captain!!!

[rudy]

Capt. Lou, you are part of a heritage that is very much missed. I can hear you singing your praises in the first Wrestling Album way back when I was a young buck. God bless.

[Lefty]

When Captain Lou Albano was the most villainous manager in the then-WWWF, it was always a pleasure to watch him get beat up by the "good guys" and cause his wrestlers to lose.

[Ina]

I remember seeing him all the time in Mahopac and Carmel mostly when I was a kid and he was so nice to everybody! As I got older I saw him a few times at the greek restaurant in Carmel and he still always had a smile and kind words for ya! He will be miss by me even though I didn't really know him but did kinda know him because he lived in my home town! RIP capt. Lou

[Jammy Sue McGillicutty]

Well now. I had no idea who this was until I saw the Cindi Lauper connection and I totally remember him in the video. Funny, the wierd connections to we have to people. Anyone want to play "Six Degrees" and see if you can connect him to Kevin Bacon?