Mark Tendler (March 4, 1932 – February 15, 1990) was an American

professional wrestler Professional wrestling, often shortened to either pro wrestling or wrestling,The term "wrestling" is most often widely used to specifically refer to modern scripted professional wrestling, though it is also used to refer to real-life wrest ...

and actor. He worked for in Hawaii in the late 1950s and the

World Wide Wrestling Federation Capitol Wrestling Corporation (CWC) was an American sports promotion company. Run by Vincent J. McMahon from the 1950s until the 1980s, the company was originally a professional wrestling and boxing promotion and later became the holding company ...

in the 1970s.

Professional wrestling career

Originally a boxer, Tendler made his professional wrestling debut in 1955 in New Jersey after being trained by George Tragos. In 1956, he went to Hawaii to work for

50th State Big Time Wrestling 50th State Big Time Wrestling (sometimes referred to as NWA Hawaii or Mid-Pacific Promotions) was a professional wrestling promotion headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii in the United States that promoted professional wrestling matches throughout Haw ...

as Prince Charming. In 1959 he went to his hometown of New York City and worked for

Capitol Wrestling Corporation Capitol Wrestling Corporation (CWC) was an American sports promotion company. Run by Vincent J. McMahon from the 1950s until the 1980s, the company was originally a professional wrestling and boxing promotion and later became the holding company ...

. Later that year Tendler took a hiatus from wrestling to focus on his acting career. In 1974, he came out of retirement and returned to Capitol Wrestling Corporation now renamed the

. He worked as a jobber and his biggest victories were a disqualification win over WWE Hall of Famer

Johnny Rodz John Rodriguez (born May 16, 1938) is an American retired professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Johnny Rodz. Professional wrestling career World Wide Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Federation (1965–1985) He was part of ...

in December 1975 and a pinfall win over Rodz in August 1978. He worked for the WWWF until 1979. In 1979, he worked for

All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW/AJP) or simply All Japan is a Puroresu, Japanese professional wrestling Professional wrestling promotion, promotion founded on October 21, 1972, by Giant Baba after he left the Japanese Wrestling Association to create his own promotion. Ma ...

. His last match was on July 7, 1979, for WWWF now WWF (World Wrestling Federation) when he defeated Tony Altomare in Poughkeepsie, New York. He would retire from wrestling after that match.

Personal life

He was married to wrestler Kitty Adams who worked the WWWF from the mid to late 1970s. Outside of wrestling during the 1960s he worked as a full-time lingerie salesman. Tendler trained wrestlers The Sandman, Chris Michaels, Sonny Blaze and Brian Donahue.

Death

On February 13, 1990, Tendler was at the parking lot of the Crazy Clown in

Riverhead, New York Riverhead is a town in Suffolk County, New York, United States, on the north shore of Long Island. Since 1727, Riverhead has been the county seat of Suffolk County, though most county offices are in Hauppauge. As of the 2020 census, the popul ...

where he was the manager of the club. He was found shot in the head in his car. He was flown by helicopter to University Hospital in

Stony Brook, New York Stony Brook is a political subdivisions of New York#Hamlet, hamlet and census-designated place (CDP) in the Administrative divisions of New York#Town, Town of Brookhaven, New York, Brookhaven in Suffolk County, New York, United States, on the No ...

, where he died two days later on the 15th. He was 57. , the killer has not been found.

Filmography

References

External links