Wrestler Gorgeous George
Makes His Entrance
Makes His Entrance
"The Human Orchid"
Backstage
Backstage
"The Toast of the Coast"
Rassles the TV Camera
Rassles the TV Camera
"The Sensation of the Nation"
Publicity Photo 3
Publicity Photo 3
Wrestler Gorgeous George
Here is a biography plus many photos of
Gorgeous George, Golden Age
professional wrestler, movie star, turkey
rancher, bar owner, and premier icon of
1950's television.
George Raymond Wagner
Born March 24, 1915, Butte, Boyd Co., NE
Died December 26, 1963, Hollywood, CA
George Raymond Wagner
Born March 24, 1915, Butte, Boyd Co., NE
Died December 26, 1963, Hollywood, CA
Movie Poster (US)
Alias the Champ, 1949
Alias the Champ, 1949
Wrestler Gorgeous George
Famous Quotations
"I Don't Think I'm Gorgeous But What's My Opinion Against Millions of Others."
"If Guts is All it Takes I've Got Plenty."
"Keep Your Dirty Hands Off My Hair."
"It's Channel No. 10. Why be Half Safe?"
"Come Little One, It's Time for My Marcel."
"I Solemnly Swear and Promise I Will Never Confuse this Gold Georgie Pin with a Common Bobby Pin, So Help Me Gorgeous George"
Famous Quotations
"I Don't Think I'm Gorgeous But What's My Opinion Against Millions of Others."
"If Guts is All it Takes I've Got Plenty."
"Keep Your Dirty Hands Off My Hair."
"It's Channel No. 10. Why be Half Safe?"
"Come Little One, It's Time for My Marcel."
"I Solemnly Swear and Promise I Will Never Confuse this Gold Georgie Pin with a Common Bobby Pin, So Help Me Gorgeous George"
Whatever Happened to Gorgeous George?
by Joe Jares, Prentice Hall 1974
This book is an excellent history of Golden Age wrestling. Chapter 2, originally puplished in Sports Illustrated magazine, is about Gorgeous George.
by Joe Jares, Prentice Hall 1974
This book is an excellent history of Golden Age wrestling. Chapter 2, originally puplished in Sports Illustrated magazine, is about Gorgeous George.
Movie Poster (Australia)
Alias the Champ, 1949
Alias the Champ, 1949
"Arrogant-Haughty-Magnificent"
Pre-Match Ritual 4
Pre-Match Ritual 4
Ring Action 6
Loses Hair vs. Mask Match to The Destroyer (Dick Beyer)
Loses Hair vs. Mask Match to The Destroyer (Dick Beyer)
"Figure of Grandeur"
Pre-Match Ritual 5
Pre-Match Ritual 5
"Hollywood Beau Brummel"
Publicity Photo 5
Publicity Photo 5
"Magnificent & Proud"
Publicity Photo 4
Publicity Photo 4
Wrestler Gorgeous George's Grave Marker
(Plot 6657, Near the Northeast Side of the Fountain)
Valhalla Memorial Park
10621 Victory Boulevard,
North Hollywood, California
(Plot 6657, Near the Northeast Side of the Fountain)
Valhalla Memorial Park
10621 Victory Boulevard,
North Hollywood, California
Wrestler Gorgeous George (George Raymond Wagner) was born in Butte, Boyd
County, Nebraska, but his family moved to Texas while he was a boy. Most published
sources erroneously report his birthplace as Seward, Nebraska. In the mid-1930's he
moved to Oregon to work as a professional wrestler.
George Wagner was a wrestler with an undistinguished career until he recreated his professional image in 1943 as the flamboyant Gorgeous George. His famed "Human Orchid" persona was created in part by growing his hair long, dyeing it blonde, and putting gold-plated bobby pins in it. He had a valet accompany him in his ring appearances, and was the first wrestler to have entrance music," Pomp and Circumstance," played during his appearances, as he entered the ring, followed by his valet and a purple spotlight. He wore costly sequinned robes and the air had to be sprayed with perfumed disinfectant "GG" referred to as "Chanel #10" ("Why be half-safe?" he was famous for saying,) before he would start wrestling. Once the match began, he would cheat in every way he could. His credo: "Win if you can, lose if you must, but always cheat!" This flamboyant image and his showman's ability to work a crowd were so successful in the early days of television that he became the most famous wrestler of his time, drawing furious heel heat wherever he appeared.
Gorgeous George attained his wrestling peak in May 1950 when he won the American Wrestling Association (Boston) world title by defeating Don Eagle. While George Wagner may have been considered a mere gimmick wrestler, he was actually a very competent freestyle wrestler, having started learning the sport in amateur wrestling as a teenager, and he could handle himself quite well if it came to a legitimate contest. The great Lou Thesz, who would take this AWA title away from Wagner, and who was probably the best "legit" wrestler in professional wrestling during the 20th century, displayed some disdain for the gimmick wrestlers. Nevertheless, he admitted that Wagner "could wrestle pretty well," but added that, "he [Wagner] could never draw a fan until he became Gorgeous George."
Wagner wrestled for another ten years. In one of his last matches he was defeated by the up-and-coming Bruno Sammartino. As his wrestling career wound down Wagner invested $250,000 in a 195-acre turkey ranch built in Beaumont, California, and the wrestler used his showman skills to promote his prized poultry at his wrestling matches and sport shows, popular during his heyday. He later owned a cocktail lounge in Van Nuys, California, which he named "Gorgeous George's Ringside Restaurant".
He appeared in one motion picture, "Alias the Champ," made in 1949, a Republic Studios picture directed by George Blair and starring Gorgeous George, Robert Rockwell, Barbara Fuller, and Audrey Lang. Other professional wrestlers in the film included Bomber Kulkovitch (Henry Kulky), Billy Varga, Bobby Managoff, Tor Johnson ("The Super Swedish Angel"), and Jack ("Sockeye") McDonald, and Mike Ruby as referee. Promoter Sammy Menacker and ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Sr. were also featured.
Gorgeous George appeared as the celebrity Mystery Guest on the August 5, 1959 episode of the popular TV show, "I've Got A Secret."
He was married twice, first to Betty Hanson in the late 1930s (they were married in the ring). They had two children (adopted). In 1951, after divorcing Betty, he married Cherie Dupré. They had one son, Gary. Although Gorgeous George earned a lot of money during his career, he died nearly penniless, having fallen victim to excessive drinking and gambling, as well as divorce. His funeral was attended by many notable people from show business and the sports world; his fellow wrestlers and those who promoted his matches chipped in and paid for the lavish services. A plaque at his gravesite reads "Love to our Daddy Gorgeous George" [see photo below].
Wrestling historians give differing accounts of the inspirations for the Gorgeous George gimmick; according to Thesz, Wagner admitted he got the initial idea from another wrestler, Lord Patrick Lansdowne.
In any event, the Gorgeous George persona has had an extensive direct and indirect influence on entertainers since. Muhammad Ali and James Brown acknowledged that their own approach to flamboyant self-promotion was influenced by George's. Musical performers such as Liberace, Little Richard, and Elton John show signs of the Gorgeous George influence. Some consider George to have been an early advancer of camp. Without doubt, uncounted numbers of dyed-blonde professional wrestling heels in the decades since can all trace their heritage back to Gorgeous George.
The article above is adapted and expanded by the House of Deception from Wikipedia Encyclopedia and may be read in its original, uncredited form at Wikipedia.org.
George Wagner was a wrestler with an undistinguished career until he recreated his professional image in 1943 as the flamboyant Gorgeous George. His famed "Human Orchid" persona was created in part by growing his hair long, dyeing it blonde, and putting gold-plated bobby pins in it. He had a valet accompany him in his ring appearances, and was the first wrestler to have entrance music," Pomp and Circumstance," played during his appearances, as he entered the ring, followed by his valet and a purple spotlight. He wore costly sequinned robes and the air had to be sprayed with perfumed disinfectant "GG" referred to as "Chanel #10" ("Why be half-safe?" he was famous for saying,) before he would start wrestling. Once the match began, he would cheat in every way he could. His credo: "Win if you can, lose if you must, but always cheat!" This flamboyant image and his showman's ability to work a crowd were so successful in the early days of television that he became the most famous wrestler of his time, drawing furious heel heat wherever he appeared.
Gorgeous George attained his wrestling peak in May 1950 when he won the American Wrestling Association (Boston) world title by defeating Don Eagle. While George Wagner may have been considered a mere gimmick wrestler, he was actually a very competent freestyle wrestler, having started learning the sport in amateur wrestling as a teenager, and he could handle himself quite well if it came to a legitimate contest. The great Lou Thesz, who would take this AWA title away from Wagner, and who was probably the best "legit" wrestler in professional wrestling during the 20th century, displayed some disdain for the gimmick wrestlers. Nevertheless, he admitted that Wagner "could wrestle pretty well," but added that, "he [Wagner] could never draw a fan until he became Gorgeous George."
Wagner wrestled for another ten years. In one of his last matches he was defeated by the up-and-coming Bruno Sammartino. As his wrestling career wound down Wagner invested $250,000 in a 195-acre turkey ranch built in Beaumont, California, and the wrestler used his showman skills to promote his prized poultry at his wrestling matches and sport shows, popular during his heyday. He later owned a cocktail lounge in Van Nuys, California, which he named "Gorgeous George's Ringside Restaurant".
He appeared in one motion picture, "Alias the Champ," made in 1949, a Republic Studios picture directed by George Blair and starring Gorgeous George, Robert Rockwell, Barbara Fuller, and Audrey Lang. Other professional wrestlers in the film included Bomber Kulkovitch (Henry Kulky), Billy Varga, Bobby Managoff, Tor Johnson ("The Super Swedish Angel"), and Jack ("Sockeye") McDonald, and Mike Ruby as referee. Promoter Sammy Menacker and ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Sr. were also featured.
Gorgeous George appeared as the celebrity Mystery Guest on the August 5, 1959 episode of the popular TV show, "I've Got A Secret."
He was married twice, first to Betty Hanson in the late 1930s (they were married in the ring). They had two children (adopted). In 1951, after divorcing Betty, he married Cherie Dupré. They had one son, Gary. Although Gorgeous George earned a lot of money during his career, he died nearly penniless, having fallen victim to excessive drinking and gambling, as well as divorce. His funeral was attended by many notable people from show business and the sports world; his fellow wrestlers and those who promoted his matches chipped in and paid for the lavish services. A plaque at his gravesite reads "Love to our Daddy Gorgeous George" [see photo below].
Wrestling historians give differing accounts of the inspirations for the Gorgeous George gimmick; according to Thesz, Wagner admitted he got the initial idea from another wrestler, Lord Patrick Lansdowne.
In any event, the Gorgeous George persona has had an extensive direct and indirect influence on entertainers since. Muhammad Ali and James Brown acknowledged that their own approach to flamboyant self-promotion was influenced by George's. Musical performers such as Liberace, Little Richard, and Elton John show signs of the Gorgeous George influence. Some consider George to have been an early advancer of camp. Without doubt, uncounted numbers of dyed-blonde professional wrestling heels in the decades since can all trace their heritage back to Gorgeous George.
The article above is adapted and expanded by the House of Deception from Wikipedia Encyclopedia and may be read in its original, uncredited form at Wikipedia.org.
Biography of Wrestler Gorgeous
George
George Raymond Wagner
(March 24, 1915 - December 26, 1963)
George Raymond Wagner
(March 24, 1915 - December 26, 1963)
International Ampitheatre
Chicago, Illinois
May 26, 1950
Chicago, Illinois
May 26, 1950
Wrestling News
Fair Park Arena
Abilene, Texas
August 17, 1953
Fair Park Arena
Abilene, Texas
August 17, 1953
Official Wrestling News
Armory Arena
Portland, Oregon
January 12, 1951
Armory Arena
Portland, Oregon
January 12, 1951
Wrestling As You Like It
May 20, 1950
Match Announced:
International Ampitheatre
Chicago, Illinois
May 26, 1950
May 20, 1950
Match Announced:
International Ampitheatre
Chicago, Illinois
May 26, 1950
Wrestling As You Like It
July 10, 1954
July 10, 1954
Wrestling USA
August 1954
August 1954
Sport-O-Gram
Eagles Auditorium
Seattle, Washington
October 17, 1949
Eagles Auditorium
Seattle, Washington
October 17, 1949
Wrestler Gorgeous George
Alias the Champ, 1949
Still Photo 4
Alias the Champ, 1949
Still Photo 4
Gorgeous George with Valet
Backstage 1
Backstage 1
Gorgeous George
Backstage 2
Backstage 2
Postcard with Hairdressers
Frank & Joseph
"World's Most Colorful
Wrestling Attraction"
Publicity Photo 6
Publicity Photo 6
Foothill Athletic Club
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Friday, October 5, 195_
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Friday, October 5, 195_
The Ringsider
Columbus, Georgia
December 2, 1953
Columbus, Georgia
December 2, 1953
Los Angeles, California.
December 26, 1950
George Raymond Wagner Legally changes his name to Gorgeous George. His wife Betty (left) becomes Mrs. George.
December 26, 1950
George Raymond Wagner Legally changes his name to Gorgeous George. His wife Betty (left) becomes Mrs. George.
Tulsa, Oklahoma
December 6, 1954
Wrestler in Maternity Ward
"Due to crowded conditions, wrestler Gorgeous George was given a bed in the maternity ward at Tulsa's Hillcrest Medical Center which he entered Monday for treatment of a hip injury. Above, he has his famous golden locks combed by hair dresser Jeanne Brakebill. He held an orchid in his left hand which he put in his hair later."
AP Wirephoto.
December 6, 1954
Wrestler in Maternity Ward
"Due to crowded conditions, wrestler Gorgeous George was given a bed in the maternity ward at Tulsa's Hillcrest Medical Center which he entered Monday for treatment of a hip injury. Above, he has his famous golden locks combed by hair dresser Jeanne Brakebill. He held an orchid in his left hand which he put in his hair later."
AP Wirephoto.
1950s Wrestler Gorgeous
George in Top Hat and Tails
Publicity Photo 7
Publicity Photo 7
Georgeous George
Wrestles Rudy Kay
San Francisco
Ring Action Photo 6
International News Photo
San Francisco
Ring Action Photo 6
International News Photo
New York, N.Y.
November 5, 1948
Afloat on the Waves
"Gorgeous George's valet Geoffries is sprinkling perfume in the air, as hairdresser Don Miribile puts finishing touches on the marcel. Make out of it what you want, we contend it's pretty good publicity."
International News Photos
November 5, 1948
Afloat on the Waves
"Gorgeous George's valet Geoffries is sprinkling perfume in the air, as hairdresser Don Miribile puts finishing touches on the marcel. Make out of it what you want, we contend it's pretty good publicity."
International News Photos
Chicago, Illinois
April 15, 1950
"Referee Jack Dempsey cautions the fair haired Gorgeous George about nasty tacics in the clinches during the early minutes of last night's match between Gorgeous George and Frankie Talaber. The match ended in a draw with one fall apiece."
International News Photos
April 15, 1950
"Referee Jack Dempsey cautions the fair haired Gorgeous George about nasty tacics in the clinches during the early minutes of last night's match between Gorgeous George and Frankie Talaber. The match ended in a draw with one fall apiece."
International News Photos
Ames Field
Michigan City, Indiana
July 29, 1950
Michigan City, Indiana
July 29, 1950
All Rights Reserved
Duff Johnson 2004-2024
No text or image may be copied or
reproduced without written permission.
Duff Johnson 2004-2024
No text or image may be copied or
reproduced without written permission.
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Topeka Municipal Auditorium
Topeka, Kansas
Tuesday, June 5, 1951
Sponsored by American Legion
Topeka, Kansas
Tuesday, June 5, 1951
Sponsored by American Legion
Referee Magazine
Vol. 55, No. 35
September 26, 1959
Vol. 55, No. 35
September 26, 1959
The Knockout
Vol. 25, No. 18
May 5, 1951
Vol. 25, No. 18
May 5, 1951
Australian Commemorative Postage Stamp
Wrestling Legends
Wrestling Legends
Gorgeous George with Valet
Gorgeous George
Napa, California
Napa, California
Wrestler Gorgeous George and
"Super" Sam Cowling backstage
with Don McNeill, preparing for
their bout on The Don McNeill TV
Club
Gorgeous George promo photo
for Alias the Champ
Gorgeous George with wife Betty
INP Soundphoto December 26, 1950
"Makes It Legal...Gorgeous
George..today officially became
'Gorgeous George.' His true name was
George Raymond Wagner, but
because of his professional use of his
wrestling name, Gorgeous George, he
wanted to make it his legal name. His
wife, Betty, left, now becomes Mrs.
George." Photo by George Snow from
L.A. Examiner
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