Captain Lou Albano dies at 76

**ThirdMarioBro** · 10-14-2009, 01:23 PM

http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/1...ion=cnn_latest

Quote:

Originally Posted by CNN

(CNN) -- Legendary wrestling figure Captain Lou Albano, perhaps best known for his association with pop singer Cyndi Lauper, died Wednesday, according to World Wrestling Entertainment.
Captain Lou Albano reached a new level of fame in the '80s with his association with Cyndi Lauper.

Captain Lou Albano reached a new level of fame in the '80s with his association with Cyndi Lauper.

Albano, 76, was "one of the company's most popular and charismatic legends," the company said in a statement.

The cause of death was not immediately disclosed.

"Albano began his storied career with Vincent J. McMahon in the 1960s as one half of 'The Sicilians' tag team with his partner Tony Altimore," the WWE said. "He will be greatly missed by the WWE and his fans."

Albano, who was with the WWE from 1983 to 1996, was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1996.

He started as a tag team wrestler in the 1950s but became a successful manager of champion wrestlers in the 1970s, according to a biography on the WWE Web site.

Albano was recognizable by his penchant for unbuttoned Hawaiian shirts and a trademark beard, which was usually bound by a rubber band.

His persona earned him the distinction of "one of the most hated men" in wrestling for 15 years, the WWE biography said.

Albano's image evolved in the 1980s, when he teamed with Lauper on several music videos, such as "Girls Just Want to Have Fun," and wrestling appearances.

As his celebrity status grew, Albano landed acting jobs, including a role on several episodes of the "Miami Vice" TV series, the biography said.

Albano became a cartoon in 1989, when he was the voice of Mario "Jumpman" Mario for 52 episodes of "The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!" according to the Internet Movie Database.

This year has successfully destroyed my childhood. This man was a cornerstone of my weekday mornings. He sent me off to school every morning with the phrase "pasta power" and helped establish my favorite video game series (and character) as a worldwide icon, beloved my tens of millions as the original voice of Mario. He was also close friends with my favorite singer of all time (Cyndi Lauper) and helped establish her career in her screwball early days. And lest we not forget that he was one of the greatest wrestling personalities of all time.

Really, this just kills me. I'm not going to lie. I'm still teary eyed.

Archon_Turtle · 10-14-2009, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThirdMarioBro

Really, this just kills me. I'm not going to lie. I'm still teary eyed.

Agreed. Totally ****ing lame. A number of people in the office are pretty broken up over this right now.

*Ninjinister* · 10-14-2009, 01:36 PM

Another one that hit me like a ton of bricks... damn.

Wish we could give him one of these....

Here's to you, Cap'n! (salutes)

EDIT: Found this... Nice tribute.

**ThirdMarioBro** · 10-14-2009, 01:53 PM

I like that. Really nice dude.

Being a silly little pre-school kid for most of the NES years, I didn't like Super Mario. Honest. I called him "the fat man". I would often rather play Rad Racer or Mega Man. The Super Show changed that. It transformed me into a borderline Mario fanatic. By the time Super Mario Bros. 3 rolled out, I was a borderline raving Mario lunatic.

I credit that to Cpt. Lou. He was the human incarnation of Super Mario. "Do the Mario" up there in the heavens for us buddy.

Leonardo87 · 10-14-2009, 01:56 PM

RIP Lou Albano

I will remember and never forget you as a legend in WWF/E and "Mario" in The Super Show.

*Raph's Girl* · 10-14-2009, 02:08 PM

Gosh dangit!! Just as I was starting to accept the fact that Stephen Gately died..... Lou Albano was one of my fave wrestlers growing up. Argh!!

Shred Head · 10-14-2009, 02:43 PM

I cant say I remember much of his wrestling career but I loved him a Mario. I used to watch the show every afternoon back when I was litle. For years his voice was what I thought of when I thought of Mario. He was an important part in my childhood and many others as well he will be missed.

*XERO* · 10-14-2009, 04:04 PM

What a crazy year.

*sighs*

RIP, Captain. Thank you for all the memories.

Shipoopi02 · 10-14-2009, 05:14 PM

That's an awesome memorial, Ninjinister. I loved watching Captain Lou become my favorite video game character everyday after school. To this day, I still imagine him as Mario.

Rest in Peace, dear Captain Lou.

*The Stryker* · 10-14-2009, 05:28 PM

*Zachatello00* · 10-14-2009, 06:34 PM

The one up mushroom was my first thought as well.

RIP Captain Lou

**GK Punk** · 10-14-2009, 06:41 PM

May he rest in peace. Lot's of memeories of that guy feels like I've been watching him on TV forever.

Archon_Turtle · 10-14-2009, 07:04 PM

it really bums me out when people died younger than my dad. My father is 80. I guess you gotta be thankful for every day.

Peanut · 10-14-2009, 07:13 PM

Forget that fruit who does Mario's voice right now. The true voice of Mario has always been Captain Lou.

**Jester** · 10-14-2009, 08:22 PM

RIP Cap'n Lou. Now teach God how to "Do the Mario!"

*Cure* · 10-14-2009, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jester

RIP Cap'n Lou. Now teach God how to "Do the Mario!"

Don't be dumb.

God knows it already.

RIP, homie.

**ThirdMarioBro** · 10-14-2009, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peanut

Forget that fruit who does Mario's voice right now. The true voice of Mario has always been Captain Lou.

^this.

That is all.

*oldmanwinters* · 10-14-2009, 09:18 PM

It is a sad day, indeed. Big Lou defined Mario for me growing up.

It's too bad that now there's no chance of that Dic Mario(Big Lou) vs. Sonic(Jaleel White) crossover that White joked about on the Sonic the Hedgehog Complete Series DVD.

**ThirdMarioBro** · 10-14-2009, 09:59 PM

That would have never happened anyway. DiC went out of business and was sold to Cookie Jar Group shortly after the completion of the release of their video game cartoons. Cookie Jar absorbed their assets and discontinued the name. We'll probably never see any of that stuff again, but it doesn't matter. They had already released everything anyone cared about....except the rest of Heathcliff. Dammit.

*Buslady* · 10-15-2009, 12:39 AM

awwww he was cool! i remember him in the cyndi lauper videos!

um...doesnt anyone else or am i the only old fart who remembers the vids? hehehe

10-14-2009, 01:36 PM	#3
Ninjinister 無問題 Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Moesko Island, WA Posts: 14,348	Another one that hit me like a ton of bricks... damn. Wish we could give him one of these.... Here's to you, Cap'n! (salutes) EDIT: Found this... Nice tribute. __________________ Last edited by Ninjinister; 10-14-2009 at 01:53 PM.

10-14-2009, 01:53 PM	#4
ThirdMarioBro Tea Time! Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 8,905	I like that. Really nice dude. Being a silly little pre-school kid for most of the NES years, I didn't like Super Mario. Honest. I called him "the fat man". I would often rather play Rad Racer or Mega Man. The Super Show changed that. It transformed me into a borderline Mario fanatic. By the time Super Mario Bros. 3 rolled out, I was a borderline raving Mario lunatic. I credit that to Cpt. Lou. He was the human incarnation of Super Mario. "Do the Mario" up there in the heavens for us buddy. __________________

10-14-2009, 02:08 PM	#6
Raph's Girl Dierna Soul, Reporter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jakku Posts: 10,831	Gosh dangit!! Just as I was starting to accept the fact that Stephen Gately died..... Lou Albano was one of my fave wrestlers growing up. Argh!! __________________

10-14-2009, 02:43 PM	#7
Shred Head Hench Mutant Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 341	I cant say I remember much of his wrestling career but I loved him a Mario. I used to watch the show every afternoon back when I was litle. For years his voice was what I thought of when I thought of Mario. He was an important part in my childhood and many others as well he will be missed. __________________ "Cold steel meets hot flesh! Thats why they call me Slash!"

10-14-2009, 04:04 PM	#8
XERO Hybrid Theorist Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Alamo City Posts: 8,185	What a crazy year. sighs RIP, Captain. Thank you for all the memories. __________________ "Travel at the speed of light... then hit the nitro!"

10-14-2009, 01:56 PM	#5
Leonardo87 Stone Warrior Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Columbus Indiana Posts: 688	RIP Lou Albano I will remember and never forget you as a legend in WWF/E and "Mario" in The Super Show.

10-14-2009, 05:14 PM	#9
Shipoopi02 Random Punk Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: In Jester's bedroom temporarily Posts: 33	That's an awesome memorial, Ninjinister. I loved watching Captain Lou become my favorite video game character everyday after school. To this day, I still imagine him as Mario. Rest in Peace, dear Captain Lou. __________________ "I don't drink....wine." -- Bela Lugosi as Dracula

10-14-2009, 05:28 PM	#10
The Stryker Stupid Rich Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Room 237 Posts: 11,152	__________________ @~<3 Mom~@

10-14-2009, 06:34 PM	#11
Zachatello00 On the beat! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hiding behind the phone booth Posts: 2,137	The one up mushroom was my first thought as well. RIP Captain Lou __________________ "You're still news!"

10-14-2009, 06:41 PM	#12
GK Punk I'm your Devil Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 12,439	May he rest in peace. Lot's of memeories of that guy feels like I've been watching him on TV forever.

10-14-2009, 07:04 PM	#13
Archon_Turtle I'm SUPER into myself Join Date: May 2004 Location: California Posts: 4,667	it really bums me out when people died younger than my dad. My father is 80. I guess you gotta be thankful for every day.

10-14-2009, 07:13 PM	#14
Peanut Second Gear Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: The New World Posts: 15,422	Forget that fruit who does Mario's voice right now. The true voice of Mario has always been Captain Lou.

10-14-2009, 08:22 PM	#15
Jester Rat-faced Dude-guy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 26,301	RIP Cap'n Lou. Now teach God how to "Do the Mario!" __________________ "Clearly, you're Ninja Turtling incorrectly." - Leo656

10-14-2009, 09:18 PM	#18
oldmanwinters Overlord Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Between yesterday and tomorrow! Posts: 15,509	It is a sad day, indeed. Big Lou defined Mario for me growing up. It's too bad that now there's no chance of that Dic Mario(Big Lou) vs. Sonic(Jaleel White) crossover that White joked about on the Sonic the Hedgehog Complete Series DVD. __________________ Experience the TMNT Fan Commentaries! Check out my TMNT fan comic, "Nothing to Fear"! View my sketch work! I'm selling some of my hard-to-find TMNT items!

10-14-2009, 09:59 PM	#19
ThirdMarioBro Tea Time! Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 8,905	That would have never happened anyway. DiC went out of business and was sold to Cookie Jar Group shortly after the completion of the release of their video game cartoons. Cookie Jar absorbed their assets and discontinued the name. We'll probably never see any of that stuff again, but it doesn't matter. They had already released everything anyone cared about....except the rest of Heathcliff. Dammit. __________________ Last edited by ThirdMarioBro; 10-14-2009 at 10:05 PM.

10-15-2009, 12:39 AM	#20
Buslady WingsOfDarkness! Perkele! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: In 7803... Posts: 4,366	awwww he was cool! i remember him in the cyndi lauper videos! um...doesnt anyone else or am i the only old fart who remembers the vids? hehehe __________________