Posted on by bdamage1
Brian Damage
Grappling with Tragedy is a series of articles that deal with unfortunate, tragic incidents that have occurred throughout the history of professional wrestling. It is unlike the ‘Wrestling with Sin’ series that deals more with the seedier side of wrestling like arrests, murders and suicides. Grappling looks more at particular tragic incidents that have in some instances altered pro wrestling in some way.
George Kotsonaros
George Kotsonaros was born Giorgios Demetrios Kotsonaros in Greece in 1892. In 1910, Kotsonaros emigrated to the United States. He began a career as a professional wrestler where he faced the likes of Toots Mondt and the Masked Marvel.
By the time he was 10 years into his wrestling career, Hollywood came calling. His rugged looks earned him film roles as a tough guy in silent pictures starting in 1926. Whenever he had a break as a wrestler, Kotsonaros snagged several acting gigs including a film starring the comedy duo of Laurel and Hardy. In total, Kotsonaros starred in over 19 movies.
Despite his heavy demand in Hollywood, Kotsonaros first love was professional wrestling. On July 13, 1933….Kotsonaros was driving from Nashville, Tennessee to New Orleans, Louisiana for a wrestling show. His passenger was fellow wrestler Paul Jones (Andrew Lutzi). Kotsonaros fell asleep at the wheel while driving in Eutaw, Alabama. His car flipped over in a crash, killing him and seriously injuring Jones (Who would survive the incident) George Kotsonaros was just 40 years old at the time of his death.