Acting

Bob Marella

Born 1937-06-04 · Rochester, New York, USA

Robert James Marella better known by his ring name of Gorilla Monsoon, was an American professional wrestler, play-by-play commentator, and booker. Monsoon is famous for his run as a super-heavyweight main eventer, and later as the voice of WWE, as commentator and backstage manager during the 1980s and 1990s. He also portrayed the on-screen role of WWE President from 1995 to 1997. In professional wrestling, the staging area just behind the entrance curtain at an event, a position which Marella established and where he could often be found during WWE shows late in his career, is named the "Gorilla Position" in his honor. Although remembered fondly by many viewers, Monsoon was voted Worst Television Announcer a record six times by readers of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter in the publication's annual awards poll. Marella was married to his wife, Maureen, for more than 40 years and had three children: Sharon (born 1960), Joey (adopted, 1963–1994), and Valerie (born 1966). Victor Quinones (1959-2006) was listed in Gorilla's obituary as his son as well. This was never confirmed officially by Gorilla but the Marella family has acknowledged this after Gorilla's death. Along with Linda McMahon, Marella was considered as a possible replacement for Vince McMahon as the owner of WWE if McMahon had been found guilty during his 1994 legal trial for illegal steroid use in the company. On July 4, 1994, his adopted son, Joey Marella, fell asleep at the wheel and died in a car accident on the New Jersey Turnpike, while returning from refereeing a WWE event in Ocean City, Maryland. He was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. For years, Marella had a custom New Jersey license plate which read "kayfabe Death and legacy Marella died on October 6, 1999, of heart failure brought on by complications of diabetes, at his home in Willingboro Township, New Jersey. He was 62 years old. In a tribute that aired on October 11, 1999, on an episode of Raw Is War from the Georgia Dome, McMahon described Marella as "one of the greatest men I have ever known." He is interred next to his son, Joey Marella, at Lakeview Memorial Park in Cinnaminson, New Jersey. WCW commentator Tony Schiavone acknowledged Marella's death on the October 11, 1999, episode of WCW Monday Nitro. Bobby Heenan insisted on doing a tribute to Marella, even though Marella never worked for WCW. Heenan said on-air: "Gorilla will be sadly missed. Now he was one big tough man. He was a decent honest man. And we're all gonna miss him very much. And you know the pearly gates in heaven? It's now gonna be called 'the Gorilla position.' Goodbye, my friend." Robert Marella was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, class of 1994, on June 9. When Heenan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004, he ended his acceptance speech with a very emotional, "There's only one thing missing, I wish Monsoon was here." In 2007, when Anthony Carelli made his debut with WWE, as a tribute to Marella, he was given the ring name "Santino Marella".

Acting credits

Andre the Giant poster
7.3

An ambitious and wide-ranging documentary exploring Andre’s upbringing in France, his celebrated career in WWE, and his forays in the entertainment world.

Andre the Giant

2018

The Best of the WWF: volume 20 poster
NR

The best keeps getting better!

The Best of the WWF: volume 20

1989

Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows poster
7.5

This documentary follows superstar Bret Hart during his last year in the WWF. The film documents the tensions that resulted in The Montreal Screwjob, one of the most controversial events in the history of professional wrestling, in which Vince McMahon, Shawn Micheals, and others, legitimately conspired behind the scenes to go against the script and remove Bret Hart as champion.

Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows

1998

WWE: The Best of Raw 15th Anniversary poster
8.0

A collection of the greatest moments of the first 15 years of Monday Night Raw.

WWE: The Best of Raw 15th Anniversary

2007

WWE Crunch Classic poster
NR

"Rowdy' Roddy Piper hosts a collection of incredible matches, including Hacksaw Jim Duggan and Sgt. Slaughter vs. The Natural Disasters, Rick Martel facing off against The Texas Tornado, and other exciting battles.

WWE Crunch Classic

1992

The Best of the WWF: volume 14 poster
NR

Coliseum Home Video Exclusives! Rare footage never shown anywhere else!

The Best of the WWF: volume 14

1987

WWE World Tour 1992 poster
NR

Take a journey across the pond to join Lord Alfred Hayes in London, England for an exciting look at some incredible matches and moments! Randy Savage defends the WWE Championship vs. Shawn Michaels; Bret Hart faces Rick Martel for the Intercontinental Title; Roddy Piper, British Bulldog and others in action.

WWE World Tour 1992

1992

WWE WrestleFest '93 poster
NR

As "Mean" Gene Okerlund and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan are on an ill-fated journey, viewers are treated to a lineup of matches; "The Ugandan Giant" Kamala vs. Bret "Hit Man" Hart for the Intercontinental Championship; Papa Shango vs. Crush.

WWE WrestleFest '93

1993

Biography: Wrestlemania I poster
6.0

Chronicling the making of the first WrestleMania when Hulk Hogan, Mr. T, Iron Sheik, Roddy Piper, and others took over Madison Square Garden and created this wrestling event.

Biography: Wrestlemania I

2022

WWE Funniest Moments poster
NR

Host Sean Mooney takes viewers on a joyride through some of the wackiest and most bizarre WWE action, including Bobby "The Brain" Heenan being bounced and other offbeat moments.

WWE Funniest Moments

1991

The Hulkster Hulk Hogan poster
NR

Reliving the early days of "The Immortal" Hulk Hogan by rewinding to some of Hogan's most memorable matches from the mid-1980s, including his first WWE Championship victory over The Iron Sheik and facing off with Don Muraco in a steel cage match.

The Hulkster Hulk Hogan

1985

No artwork available
NR

Truly in a class by himeself! Once Bruno on the mat - watch out! Relive some of Bruno Sammartino's greatest moments, including encounters with Roddy Piper, Paul Orndorff, and much more.

Wrestling's Living Legend Bruno Sammartino

1986

Jake "The Snake" Roberts poster
NR

Hosts Craig DeGeorge and "Luscious" Johnny V take a look at the career of Jake "The Snake" Roberts; from Junkyard Dog and Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat to The Honky Tonk Man and Kamala, Roberts takes to the ring against WWE's finest.

Jake "The Snake" Roberts

1987

WWE Survivor Series 1990 poster
7.7

Survivor Series (1990) was the fourth annual Survivor Series pay-per-view professional wrestling event produced by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). It took place on Thanksgiving Day, November 22, 1990 at the Hartford Civic Center in Hartford, Connecticut. This Survivor Series saw the on-screen WWF debut of The Undertaker, who went on to become WWF Champion at the next Survivor Series one year later, and the debut of the Gobbledy Gooker. In addition, Sgt. Slaughter — who was then using an Iraqi sympathizer heel gimmick — delivered a promo where he insulted servicemen stationed in Iraq for Thanksgiving during Operation Desert Shield. Randy Savage, as the "Macho King", was interviewed by "Mean" Gene Okerlund, and issued a challenge to the Ultimate Warrior for the WWF Championship. Ravishing Rick Rude was replaced by Haku after being suspended by WWF President Jack Tunney for insulting the mother of the Big Boss Man.

WWE Survivor Series 1990

1990

WWE: Hulk Hogan: The Ultimate Anthology poster
7.9

The best and most memorable matches from Hulk Hogan's career.

WWE: Hulk Hogan: The Ultimate Anthology

2006

WWE: Top 50 Superstars of All Time poster
8.3

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

2010

WWE SummerSlam 1997 poster
7.8

WWE's Biggest Party of the Summer features a classic Steel Cage Match between Mankind and Triple H. Goldust faces Brian Pillman. Plus, the Intercontinental Championship is on the line in a match between "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and Owen Hart. The Undertaker faces Bret Hart for WWE Championship with guest referee Shawn Michaels!

WWE SummerSlam 1997

1997

The WWF's Amazing Managers poster
NR

Featuring footage from Wrestlemania 2, a "Manager of the Year" ceremony, "Macho Man" Randy Savage's introduction of his new manager (Miss Elizabeth) and matches including Nikolai Volkoff vs George "The Animal" Steele and Captain Lou Alabano & Afa the Samoan vs Andre the Giant & Pedro Morales! Additionally, there are appearances by Cyndi Lauper, Mr. Fuji, The Grand Wizard, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, Jimmy "Mouth of the South" Hart, "Luscious" Johnny Valiant, "Classy" Freddie Blassie & much more!

The WWF's Amazing Managers

1985

Inside the Steel Cage poster
NR

Hosts Gorilla Monsoon and Johnny Valentine journey through time to relive some of the most exciting battles to ever take place inside a steel cage, featuring Superstars such as Hulk Hogan, Jimmy Snuka, Andre the Giant and more.

Inside the Steel Cage

1986

The Brains Behind the Brawn poster
NR

Many Superstars in WWE history have relied on the skills of their managers to rise to the top; how Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, Jimmy Hart, Miss Elizabeth and other top managers proved instrumental in leading their clients to victory.

The Brains Behind the Brawn

1989

WWE SuperTape: Volume 1 poster
NR

Tito Santana vs. "Ravishing" Rick Rude; Jake "The Snake" Roberts vs. "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase; Hulk Hogan and Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake vs. "Macho King" Randy Savage and Zeus in a Cage Match.

WWE SuperTape: Volume 1

1990

Bret "Hit Man" Hart poster
NR

A special look at Bret "Hit Man" Hart in this home video classic highlighting his greatest battles; the Excellence of Execution is at his best against opponents like Shawn Michaels, Jerry Lawler and Kwang.

Bret "Hit Man" Hart

1994

Women of the WWF poster
NR

They're HOT! They're TOUGH! They're Exploding In Non-Stop WWF WRESTLING ACTION!

Women of the WWF

1988

Razor Ramon poster
NR

From the top of Titan Tower, hosts Gorilla Monsoon and Stan Lane take the WWE Universe on a tour that is oozing machismo in this look at the charismatic Razor Ramon; matches against the likes of Bam Bam Bigelow, "Double J" Jeff Jarrett and Yokozuna.

Razor Ramon

1994

Behind the camera

WWE WrestleMania VIII poster
8.1

WWE WrestleMania VIII was the eighth annual WrestleMania. It took place on April 5, 1992 at the Hoosier Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana. The only WrestleMania officially recognized by WWE.com to have featured more than one headlining match, its card included two equally-promoted main events. In the first, WWF Champion Ric Flair defended his title against Randy Savage, and in the second, Hulk Hogan faced Sid Justice. As a consequence of the double main event, WrestleMania VIII carried two taglines: "The Macho/Flair Affair!" and "Friendship Torn Apart!" Notable matches on the undercard included WWF Intercontinental Champion Roddy Piper defending against Bret Hart, and WWF Tag Team Champions Money Inc. defending against The Natural Disasters.

WWE WrestleMania VIII

1992

WWE UK Rampage poster
5.0

UK Rampage 1992 was an event produced by World Wrestling Federation. On April 19th 1992 live from the Sheffield Arena, The British Bulldog battled IRS, Intercontinental Champion Bret Hart met Rick ‘The Model’ Martel, Shawn Michaels challenged Macho Man Randy Savage for the WWF Championship and The Undertaker squared off against Sid Justice.

WWE UK Rampage

1992

WWE UK Rampage '92 poster
NR

The Superstars of WWE are in action as Shawn Michaels challenges "Macho Man" Randy Savage for the WWE Championship; Davey Boy Smith faces with Irwin R. Schyster in the main event; Bret Hart defends the Intercontinental Title against Rick Martel.

WWE UK Rampage '92

1992

No artwork available
NR

The Road to WrestleMania runs through Biloxi as top WWE Superstars vie for position and honor before the showcase of the immortals!

WWE March to WrestleMania VIII

1992

No artwork available
NR

SummerSlam Spectacular '92 aired on the USA Network on August 23, 1992 (taped August 11, 1992) from the Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. Although Bret Hart was the WWF Intercontinental Champion, his match against Skinner was a non-title match.

WWE SummerSlam Spectacular 1992

1992