Nickname(s): The Big Cat
Height: 6' 9"
Weight: 320 lbs
From: Orange Grove, TX
Birthday: Nov 28
Pro Debut: 1961
Feds worked for: TSW,
MSW, WWWF,
NWA, World Wrestling Association (IN), World Wrestling Coucil (PR), International Wrestling Alliance (GA)
Finisher: Kick To The Head
Signature Moves: Thumb to the throat, Abdominal stretch, Guillotine Leg Drop
Career Highlights: -MSW Louisiana Champion (3x)
-MSW North American Champion
-MSW Mid-South Tag Team Champion (2x; both w/
Leroy Brown)
-NWA American Champion
-NWA Americas Champion (3x)
-NWA Arkansas Champion
-NWA Central States Tag Team Champion (w/
Bruiser Brody)
-NWA Florida Champion
-NWA Georgia Tag Team Champion (w/ Ole Anderson)
-NWA International Television Tag Team Champion (w/ Eduoard Carpantier)
-NWA Southern Champion
-NWA
Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
-NWA Texas Champion
-NWF Brass Knucks Champion
-NWF Champion
-NWF North American Champion (2x)
-TSW North American Champion (4x)
-TSW United States Tag Team Champion (w/ The
Assassin)
-WWA Champion
-WWA (CA) Tag Team Champion (w/ Eduoard Carpantier)
-WWA Tag Team Champion (w/ Baron Von Raschke)
-WWC North American Champion
Affiliates: The
Wild Samoans, Leroy Brown, The Assassin, Mike Sharpe, Bobby Heenan,
Thunderbolt Patterson,
Bruce Swayze
Notable Feuds: Bruno Sammartino, Gene Kiniski,
Andre the Giant, Gorilla Monsoon,
Jay Strongbow, Abdullah The Butcher, The Sheik, Dick the Bruiser
Other Facts: -Brother of wrestling promoter James Ladd
-Played football professionally for the San Diego Chargers, Houston Oilers, and Kansas City Chiefs
-Inducted into the
WCW Hall of Fame in 1994
-Inducted into the
WWE (then
WWF) Hall of Fame in 1994
-Was an executive in a Louisiana based petroleum and chemical firm. Also spoke to groups of prison inmates about finding a better future.
-A longtime friend and confidante of the Bush family, Ladd had a seat of honor at the inaugurations of both George Bush and George W Bush.
-Only person to be inducted into both the American Football League & World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Fame
-Former member of the Heenan
Family (Georgia version)
-Former member of the Soul Patrol
-Passed away on March 10, 2007 due to cancer
-Buried in Franklin Cemetery in Franklin, LA
