Gene Kiniski

Birthday: 11/23/1928
Deathday: 4/14/2010
Place of birth: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Fame for: Acting
Also known as: Big Thunder, Canada's Greatest Athlete

Biography

Eugene Nicholas Kiniski was a Canadian athlete who played football for the Edmonton Eskimos and later was a successful professional wrestler recognized as a multiple-time world heavyweight champion. "Canada's Greatest Athlete", as he billed himself for promotional purposes, was born in Edmonton, Alberta. Like Bronko Nagurski before him, Kiniski was one of the first world champions in professional wrestling to have a previous background in football. He is the father of professional wrestler Kelly Kiniski and international amateur and professional wrestler Nick Kiniski.