Wrestler and actor Captain Lou Albano died 14 October 2009 of natural causes. Born Louis Vincent Albano on 29 July 1933 in New York State, he began his wrestling career in 1953 in Canada. He was one of the first of the modern era’s big-name wrestlers, along with Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, and Rowdy Roddy Piper.
Albano’s popular fame blossomed when he appeared in Cyndi Lauper’s 1983 music video “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” (he played her father). The New York Times credits Albano’s partnership with Lauper as pointing the way for the World Wrestling Federation (now World Wrestling Entertainment) to forge ties with the music industry, bringing about the “Rock ‘n’ Wrestling” era. Albano later appeared in Lauper’s “Time After Time” video.
He also went on to manage wrestlers, and appear on television and in films. His genre appearances include the movie Stay Tuned (1992) and The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! (1989-91).
Albano is survived by his wife, four children, and 14 grandchildren.