Freddie Blassie

Professional wrestler Freddie Blassie, who became a cult figure for fans by playing the villain inside the ring during the 1950s and 1960s, has died. He was 85.

Mr. Blassie died of heart failure Monday in Hartsdale, N.Y.

Born Fred Blassman in St. Louis, Mr. Blassie played baseball and football in high school. He joined the Navy at the start of World War II and started wrestling initially under the name of Sailor Fred Blassie while stationed at Port Hueneme in California.

After the war, he continued to wrestle professionally in the Midwest. He liked to use a variety of names but had trouble gaining the affection of fans who gravitated toward the likes of Lou Thesz and Gorgeous George.

It wasn ' t until he moved to the West Coast that fans began supporting him. Mr. Blassie began portraying himself as a villain and it worked. The nastier he was in the ring, the more popular he became to fans.

Mr. Blassie also mastered the television interview, boasting his superiority over other wrestlers he liked to call " pencil-neck geeks. " Those colorful interviews helped make him a celebrity in the newly expanding medium of television.

He won the WWA World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship from French star Edouard Carpentier at the Los Angeles Sports Arena in 1961. Mr. Blassie also held various regional titles, including the WWA World Title on five separate occasions, the Americas ' Heavyweight Title nine times and tag team belts with various partners over the years.

Mr. Blassie also was seen with comedian Andy Kaufman in " My Breakfast With Blassie, " a 1983 film spoof of " My Dinner With Andre. "

He retired from competition in the late 1970s to manage a new generation of wrestlers such as Hulk Hogan. He worked for the World Wrestling Federation, now known as World Wrestling Entertainment. He did an advice segment on the " Tuesday Night Titans " TV program, made personal appearances and did radio interviews.

Mr. Blassie is survived by his wife, Miyako, and three children.