Richard “Black Bart” Harris was a 30-year veteran of the professional wrestling scene, performing from the ‘70s to the 2000s, competing in the WWF and WCW, and once spending time as the NWA National Heavyweight champion.
- Died: January 9, 2025 (Who else died on January 9?)
- Details of death: Died of colon cancer at the age of 76.
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Richard “Black Bart” Harris’ legacy
When Harris stepped into the ring in 1975 at the age of 26, he may not have realized that he was starting a journey that would define the next three decades of his life.
Born in Texarkana, Arkansas, Harris eventually took on a stage name that matched his long, dark hair and often-thick beard, though he initially wrestled under various monikers, including Man Mountain Harris, Black Bart Johnson, Big Train Bart, Hangman Harris, El Lobo, and Ricky Harris.
In 1981, he joined the crew at Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, and in the years ahead jumped back and forth between that organization and many other regional leagues, including Southeastern Championship Wrestling, All-Japan Pro Wrestling, and World Class Championship Wrestling.
After making a name for himself in the late ‘80s through feuds with the likes of Dustin Rhodes and Jerry Lawler, Harris broke through to the national giants of wrestling in 1990 and 1991, first with the World Wrestling Federation (then the WWF, now the WWE) and then World Championship Wrestling. His television debut was a match against Tito Santana.
After working with Global Wrestling Federation and finishing out his career with WCW, Harris retired in 2002, opening a wrestling school at the Dallas Sportatorium. One of his students, John “Bradshaw” Layfield, would go on to become WWE champion.
Harris released an autobiography in 2023, “Wrestle Black Bart,” with writer Vinny Berry.
On his Stage 4 cancer diagnosis
“I am not the kind to just roll over and play dead so you all should know that I will fight it with all I have in me.” — Facebook post, March 2023
Tributes to Black Bart
Full obituary: Sports Illustrated
