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
7.3An 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
NRThe best keeps getting better!
The Best of the WWF: volume 20
1989
7.5This 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
8.0A collection of the greatest moments of the first 15 years of Monday Night Raw.
WWE: The Best of Raw 15th Anniversary
2007
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
NRColiseum Home Video Exclusives! Rare footage never shown anywhere else!
The Best of the WWF: volume 14
1987
NRTake 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
NRAs "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
6.0Chronicling 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
NRHost 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
NRReliving 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
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
NRHosts 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
7.7Survivor 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
7.9The best and most memorable matches from Hulk Hogan's career.
WWE: Hulk Hogan: The Ultimate Anthology
2006
8.3A 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
7.8WWE'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
NRFeaturing 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
NRHosts 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
NRMany 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
NRTito 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
NRA 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
NRThey're HOT! They're TOUGH! They're Exploding In Non-Stop WWF WRESTLING ACTION!
Women of the WWF
1988
NRFrom 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
8.1WWE 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
5.0UK 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
NRThe 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
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
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