Former WWE star dies aged 76 following three-year battle with cancer after stopping chemotherapy
Ex-WWE star Black Bart has died at the age of 76 after a three-year battle with cancer.
The American wrestler – whose real name was Richard Harris – was diagnosed with cancer in 2022 and had been undergoing chemotherapy.
However, he recently had to stop the treatment after his insurance ran out, and he has now sadly passed away.
His wife, Linda, confirmed the news on social media on Thursday.
Posting on Harris’ Facebook page, she wrote: ‘You might know him as Black Bart but to me he was my husband Ricky. He left us this morning.
‘He was pronounced at 5:26 this morning. He is Resting In Peace.’
Former WWE star Black Bart (pictured) has passed away at the age of 76
Black Bart (right) trained former champion JBL (left), who is now a WWE commentator
Harris started his wrestling career in 1975 and competed for over a quarter of a century before retiring in 2002.
He then turned his hand to training, with John Bradshaw Layfield being his standout student.
Layfield went on to become a multiple WWE champion, and is now an ambassador and commentator for the company.
He posted a heartfelt tribute to Harris on X, alongside a picture of the pair smiling, that read: ‘Black Bart took me under his wing and taught me how to be a professional wrestler. We were tag champs in Texas-but we were also just buddies.
‘We sat together in the dressing room while Bart spit in his trashcan and constantly joked about everything. Bart meant the world to me. I love you big brother. RIP.’
Dusty Rhodes, the father of current undisputed WWE champion Cody Rhodes, also took to X to write: ‘Black Bart taught me a ton in my younger years. Loved him to death. He will be missed.’
