Acting
Oct 5, 1935
Pizzoferrato, Italy
Bruno Sammartino
Acting
Biography
Bruno Leopoldo Francesco Sammartino was an Italian-born American professional wrestler, best known for his work with the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF, now WWE). There, he held the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship (WWWF Heavyweight Championship during his second reign) for more than 11 years (4,040 days) across two reigns, the first of which is the longest single reign in the promotion's history at 2,803 days. He is overall a two-time world champion in professional wrestling. Dubbed "The Italian Strongman" and "The Strongest Man in the World" early in his career, Sammartino later earned the title "The Living Legend". Known for his powerful bearhug finishing move, he is widely regarded as the greatest professional wrestler of all time. Sammartino became a vocal critic of the drug use and raunchier storylines that became prevalent in the professional wrestling industry after his retirement but he reconciled with WWE in 2013 and headlined their Hall of Fame ceremony that year. Terry Funk commented that Sammartino "was bigger than wrestling itself"
Feature Films (41)
The first annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view event taking place on March 31, 1985, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The show featured nine professional wrestling matches with the main event match pitting Hulk Hogan and Mr. T against Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff.
WrestleMania
Mr. T vs. Roddy Piper in a Boxing match Battle Royal featuring superstars and athletes from the WWF and NFL Hulk Hogan (c) vs. King Kong Bundy in a Steel Cage match for the WWF Championship
WrestleMania II
This Home Video Classic celebrates the WWE's original power couple with a memorable look at "Macho Man" Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth; she stands by her man during battles against Hulk Hogan, George "The Animal" Steele and more.
The Macho Man Randy Savage & Elizabeth
Donald Trump, Mick Foley, Bruno Sammartino, Bob Backlund, Booker T, and Trish Stratus are celebrated for their contributions to the wrestling business as they are inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
WWE Hall Of Fame 2013
WWF stadium show in the summer of 1980 from Shea Stadium in Flushing, Queens, New York.
WWE Showdown at Shea '80
The greatest moments from WWE's long and storied history with Madison Square Garden.
WWE: Best of WWE at Madison Square Garden
See the Class of 2015 take their place in history during the WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
WWE Hall of Fame 2015
A countdown of the greatest superstars in WWE History. From Hulk Hogan to Randy Savage to The Rock to John Cena enjoy an experience down memory lane for long-time fans, and a new experience for new fans of WWE.
WWE: Top 50 Superstars of All Time
WWE Superstars from all ends of the spectrum, including George The Animal Steele, Andre the Giant, Haiti Kid, Mad Dog Vachon, the Missing Link, Ivan Putski, Ken Patera and other unusual competitors.
Wrestling's Biggest, Smallest, Strangest, Strongest!
Television & Series (11)
Celebrating WWE's awesome history; reliving the moments that made fans go, "This is awesome!"
WWE This Is Awesome
The biggest WWE Superstars of the late 1980s and early '90s settle their differences in the ring on "Wrestling Challenge"; featuring exciting matches and memorable interviews, this weekly television series captures an important era of WWE history.
WWF Wrestling Challenge
The greatest WWE Superstars of the 1975s & 1982s, including Andre the Giant, Bob Backlund, and Bruno Sammartino compete in exciting matches.
WWF All-Star Wrestling
Discover rarely-seen matches from the 1970s, '80s, and '90s featuring countless WWE Hall of Famers such as Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair.
