SUMMARY
- Fritz Von Erich was a multi-talented personality and a three-time World Champion.
- Before Fritz Von Erich's career in pro wrestling, he had a brief career in football.
Jack Barton Adkisson Sr., popularly known among fans by the name of Fritz Von Erich, was a multi-talented personality. Besides being a professional wrestler, he was also a wrestling promoter. However, he might have been famous among the fans as the patriarch of the famous Von Erich family.
With regards to that, it is to be noted that the Von Erich family is a famous pro wrestling family. However, throughout his pro wrestling career, he thoroughly entertained the fans with his extraordinary skills inside the ring. Not to mention, he was a three-time World Champion.
The outstanding accomplishments of Fritz helped him gain popularity among the fans. With that, wrestling fans to date are interested in knowing about him and his life. Here’s a detailed look into the life of the patriarch of the Von Erich family.
Focusing on Fritz Von Erich’s career
Fans of Fritz Von Erich might be surprised to know that before his career in pro wrestling, he had a brief career in football. Previously, Fritz played football while attending Southern Methodist University. Also, moving ahead, he was associated with the CFL, but for a brief period.
However, Fritz ultimately ventured into the world of pro wrestling and never looked back. Throughout his pro wrestling career, he reportedly wrestled for several wrestling promotions. This includes All Japan Pro Wrestling, Big Time Wrestling, and Stampede Wrestling, among others. During this time, his ‘Iron Claw’ hold gained huge popularity among the fans.
Moving ahead, Fritz Von Erich took his retirement from pro wrestling in 1982. However, his last match took place in November 1986. It is also mentionable that Fritz was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2009 for his outstanding career in pro wrestling.
Know more about Fritz Von Erich’s wife and children
In June 1950, Fritz Von Erich, known as Jack Barton Adkisson Sr. in real life, got married to Doris J. Smith. While they were together for several years, they later got separated. Moving ahead, they got divorced in July 1992. It is worth mentioning that before their separation and divorce, the couple were together for 42 years.
On the other hand, Fritz and Doris had six children together, all sons. Their first son was named Jack Barton Jr., while their second son was named Kevin Ross Adkisson, aka Kevin Von Erich. Their third son was named David Alan Adkisson, aka David Von Erich, while the name of their fourth son was Kerry Gene Adkisson, aka Kerry Von Erich.
The fifth son of Doris and Fritz was Michael Brett Adkisson, aka Mike Von Erich, and their sixth son was Christopher Barton Adkisson, aka Chris Von Erich. Meanwhile, the astonishing fact is that all five children of the couple have passed away. The only living son is Kevin Von Erich, who, as of 2023, is 66 years old.
However, Fritz Von Erich is also no longer among us. He passed away on September 10, 1997, at the age of 68, due to brain and lung cancer. Meanwhile, the legacy he left behind will forever be cherished by his fans. Also, Fritz’s pro wrestling stories are still talked about among the fans and will forever be remembered for years down the line.