Sailor Art Thomas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Seaman Art Thomas |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Birth name | Arthur Thomas |
| Born | January 30, 1924 Gurdon, Arkansas, United States |
| Died | March 20, 2003 (aged 79) |
| Cause of death | Cancer |
| Children | 7 |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Art Thomas The Body Hercules Sailor Thomas |
| Billed height | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
| Billed weight | 265 lb (120 kg) |
| Billed from | Fitchburg, Wisconsin |
| Debut | 1943 |
| Retired | 1981 |
Arthur Thomas (born January 30, 1924 – died March 20, 2003) was a famous American professional wrestler. He was best known by his ring names, Sailor Art Thomas or Seaman Art Thomas. Before becoming a wrestler, he was a Merchant Mariner and a bodybuilder.
Art Thomas was a champion wrestler, even winning the WWA World Heavyweight Championship. After he passed away, he was honored by being added to the WWE Hall of Fame in 2016.
Contents
Early Life of Art Thomas
Arthur Thomas was born in Gurdon, Arkansas. His parents were Alfred and Jessie Thomas. In 1935, when he was 11 years old, his family moved to Madison, Wisconsin. After his mother passed away, Art lived in an orphanage and foster homes in Wisconsin.
Serving His Country
Art Thomas served in the United States Merchant Marine for 27 months. This was a very important job during wartime. He was part of a special group that helped build things. For example, he helped build an airstrip on the island of Guam.
Becoming a Professional Wrestler
After his time in the Merchant Marine, Art Thomas first worked for Greyhound Lines. Then, he became a professional bodybuilder. He even joined a group of bodybuilders and toured across the United States.
A wrestling promoter named Jimmy Demetral saw him and thought he would be a great wrestler. Art Thomas then trained to become a professional wrestler. He had his first match in 1943. When he entered the ring, he often wore a Navy uniform. He would pretend to be a newly discharged sailor. He often helped the good guys fight against the bad guys in the ring.
Winning Tag Team Championships
In the early 1960s, Art Thomas won many tag team championships. A tag team means two wrestlers work together. Here are some of the titles he won:
- He won the WWA International Television Tag Team Championship with Lou Thesz in California.
- He won the NWA International Tag Team Championship with John Paul Henning in Toronto.
- He won the NWA Detroit World Tag Team Championship with Bobo Brazil in Detroit.
Heavyweight Champion and Other Matches
Art Thomas also won the NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship twice. This was in Texas in 1962 and 1963. He also wrestled for the World Wide Wrestling Federation in the 1960s. He teamed up with famous wrestlers like Bobo Brazil and Bruno Sammartino.
In April 1972, Art Thomas achieved a big goal. He won the WWA World Heavyweight Championship. He beat Baron von Raschke to win this title. He retired from wrestling in 1981.
Personal Life
Art Thomas had seven children. He passed away from cancer in 2003, just one month after being diagnosed.
Wrestling Achievements
Art Thomas had a very successful career. Here are some of the championships and honors he received:
- Big Time Wrestling
- NWA World Tag Team Championship (Detroit version) (1 time) – with Bobo Brazil
- Maple Leaf Wrestling
- NWA International Tag Team Championship (Toronto version) (3 times) – with John Paul Henning
- Southwest Sports
- NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
- World Wrestling Association
- WWA World Heavyweight Champion (1 time)
- Worldwide Wrestling Associates
- WWA International Television Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Lou Thesz
- WWE
- WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2016)
