George "The Animal" Steele was the ring name of William James Myers (April 16, 1937 – February 17, 2017), a prominent American professional wrestler and occasional actor. Best known for a wild, unorthodox in-ring persona, Steele competed primarily from the late 1960s through the 1980s and remains a memorable figure from the territorial era and early national expansion of pro wrestling. He combined a lumbering, unpredictable style with theatrical elements—most famously ripping turnbuckle pads off posts and displaying a green-stained tongue—to create a character that stood out in televised events.

Off stage, Myers led a life that contrasted with his ring image. He worked as a schoolteacher and athletic coach before and during parts of his wrestling career, and he was known among colleagues for being thoughtful and reserved away from the spotlight. His education and background in teaching tempered the persona, reminding fans that professional wrestling blends performance with athletic skill.

Career and persona

Steele debuted as a professional wrestler in the late 1960s and gained broad recognition wrestling in regional promotions that later fed into the national circuits. His character—commonly billed as a wild man or "animal"—relied on psychological intimidation as much as physical moves. Steele used theatrical tactics such as chewing on his own shirt or posing with improvised implements to unsettle opponents and audiences. That distinctive style helped him remain a fixture through the 1970s and 1980s and led to Hall of Fame recognition after his retirement.

In addition to his in-ring work, Steele took on occasional acting roles. Notably, he portrayed Swedish wrestler and actor Tor Johnson in Tim Burton's biographical film Ed Wood, bringing a tribute-like quality to a portrayal of a fellow performer. His crossover into cinema illustrated how wrestling personalities could be adapted for film and popular culture beyond the squared circle.

Legacy, later life and death

Steele was inducted into the professional wrestling Hall of Fame and remembered for influencing how character work could enhance matches. In later years he lived in Florida and faced health challenges. He died under hospice care on February 17, 2017, in Cocoa Beach, Florida, from kidney failure at age 79. He was a practicing Baptist and is remembered both for his theatrical ring work and for his quieter personal life away from wrestling.

Notable facts and references

For readers interested in the crossover between sports entertainment and popular culture, Steele's career provides an example of how a single, well-crafted character can endure in memory long after active competition ends. His work is often cited in discussions of wrestling's performative traditions and the ways performers manage public and private identities.