Our friends at Wrestling Epicenter sent us the following on John Tatum. We wish him the best and hope he has a full recovery.
“Hollywood” John Tatum Suffers Multiple Heart Attacks – Family and Friends Request Thoughts and Prayers
Wrestling Epicenter’s James Walsh reports that wrestling legend “Hollywood” John Tatum has suffered multiple heart attacks in recent days. In speaking to former California Connection tag team partner Rod Price, Price stated, “John had a couple of heart attacks. The doctor tried shocking his heart three times but didn’t work. They changed his meds and may put in a pacemaker. I talked w/ his wife Shelia this morning. He is stable. That’s all I know for now.”
“Hollywood” John Tatum, real name John Frenkel, is perhaps best known for his work in traditionally southern wrestling promotions including World Class Championship Wrestling and the Global Wrestling Federation in the ’80s and ’90s. He, famously, was one of the first wrestlers romantically linked to Missy Hyatt who ended up leaving him for “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert. He had a persona of a Hollywood actor given his look. He also was known for one of the bets superkicks in the business and a pouting look that cannot be described by words. He was a part of Skandor Akbar’s Devastation, Inc faction which Mick Foley once quipped if all the members of that faction over the years got together for a reunion, they would need Madison Square Garden just for how many guys were in there. Tatum is 59 years old.
Rod Price and his friends and family are requesting thoughts and prayers.
