Bruno Sammartino

Acting

October 6, 1935 — April 18, 2018Pizzoferrato, Italy

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"

Known for

Andre the Giant

Andre the Giant

2018

WrestleMania

WrestleMania

1985

WrestleMania II

WrestleMania II

1986

Body Slam

Body Slam

1986

WWE: Macho Man - The Randy Savage Story

WWE: Macho Man - The Randy Savage Story

2014

The History of WWE: 50 Years of Sports Entertainment

The History of WWE: 50 Years of Sports Entertainment

2013

WCW Halloween Havoc 1989

WCW Halloween Havoc 1989

1989

WWE: Top 50 Superstars of All Time

WWE: Top 50 Superstars of All Time

2010

WWF Superstars

WWF Superstars

1986

WWE: Best of WWE at Madison Square Garden

WWE: Best of WWE at Madison Square Garden

2013

Acting49

WWE This Is Awesome

WWE This Is Awesome

2022

Bruno Sammartino (archive footage)

Bruno Sammartino

Bruno Sammartino

2019

Self

Headstrong

Headstrong

2019

Self

Bruno

Bruno

2018

Himself

Andre the Giant

Andre the Giant

2018

Self (archive footage)

Sweet Daddy Siki

Sweet Daddy Siki

2017

Self

WWE Table For 3

WWE Table For 3

2015

Self

WWE Hall of Fame 2015

WWE Hall of Fame 2015

2015

Self

WWE: Macho Man - The Randy Savage Story

WWE: Macho Man - The Randy Savage Story

2014

Himself

Timeline The History of WWE – 1963-1969 – As Told By Bruno Sammartino

Timeline The History of WWE – 1963-1969 – As Told By Bruno Sammartino

2013

Himself

The History of WWE: 50 Years of Sports Entertainment

The History of WWE: 50 Years of Sports Entertainment

2013

Self

WWE: Best of WWE at Madison Square Garden

WWE: Best of WWE at Madison Square Garden

2013

Himself

WWE Hall Of Fame 2013

WWE Hall Of Fame 2013

2013

Self

WWE: Top 50 Superstars of All Time

WWE: Top 50 Superstars of All Time

2010

Bruno Sammartino

Macho Madness - The Randy Savage Ultimate Collection

Macho Madness - The Randy Savage Ultimate Collection

2009

WWE: The History Of The WWE Championship

WWE: The History Of The WWE Championship

2006

Bruno Sammartino Behind The Championship Belt

Bruno Sammartino Behind The Championship Belt

2006

Bruno Sammartino

WWE: 20 Years Too Soon - The Superstar Billy Graham Story

WWE: 20 Years Too Soon - The Superstar Billy Graham Story

2006

Legends Never Die

Legends Never Die

2006

Himself

Luscious Johnny: The Wrestler

Luscious Johnny: The Wrestler

2005

Himself

The Mob Boss & the Soul Singer

The Mob Boss & the Soul Singer

2002

Vito Farrelli

WCW Halloween Havoc 1992

WCW Halloween Havoc 1992

1992

Himself (Special Guest)

WCW Halloween Havoc 1989

WCW Halloween Havoc 1989

1989

Referee

The Best of the WWF: volume 14

The Best of the WWF: volume 14

1987

Bruno Sammartino

Wrestling's Most Embarrassing Moments

Wrestling's Most Embarrassing Moments

1987

Bruno Sammartino

The Best of the WWF: volume 13

The Best of the WWF: volume 13

1987

Bruno Sammartino

WWE Houston Wrestling: The Paul Boesch Retirement Show

WWE Houston Wrestling: The Paul Boesch Retirement Show

1987

Bruno Sammartino

The WWF's Even More Unusual Matches

The WWF's Even More Unusual Matches

1987

Bruno Sammartino

Inside the Steel Cage

Inside the Steel Cage

1986

Bruno Sammartino

Body Slam

Body Slam

1986

Himself

WWF Wrestling Challenge

WWF Wrestling Challenge

1986

Bruno Sammartino

WWF Superstars

WWF Superstars

1986

Bruno Sammartino

The Macho Man Randy Savage & Elizabeth

The Macho Man Randy Savage & Elizabeth

1986

Bruno Sammartino

Wrestling's Living Legend Bruno Sammartino

Wrestling's Living Legend Bruno Sammartino

1986

Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat

Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat

1986

Bruno Sammartino

WrestleMania II

WrestleMania II

1986

Bruno Sammartino

WWE Grudge Match

WWE Grudge Match

1986

Bruno Sammartino

Tag Team Champions

Tag Team Champions

1986

Bruno Sammartino

WrestleMania

WrestleMania

1985

Bruno Sammartino (Ringside)

WWE Pay Per View

WWE Pay Per View

1985

Best of the WWF Volume 3

Best of the WWF Volume 3

1985

Bruno Sammartino (Ringside)

Best of the WWF Volume 1

Best of the WWF Volume 1

1985

Bruno Sammartino

Wrestling's Biggest, Smallest, Strangest, Strongest!

Wrestling's Biggest, Smallest, Strangest, Strongest!

1985

Bruno Sammartino

Tuesday Night Titans

Tuesday Night Titans

1984

Bruno Sammartino

WWE Showdown at Shea '80

WWE Showdown at Shea '80

1980

Bruno Sammartino

WWF Championship Wrestling

WWF Championship Wrestling

1980

Bruno Sammartino (Commentator) / Bruno Sammartino

WWF All-Star Wrestling

WWF All-Star Wrestling

1975

Bruno Sammartino

WWE Old School

WWE Old School

1973

Bruno Sammartino / Bruno Sammartino (Himself)

Fury Hour