
Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Born
November 23, 1928
Died
April 14, 2010 (age 81)
Place of Birth
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Also Known As
Big Thunder
Canada's Greatest Athlete
Gene Kiniski
Biography
Eugene Nicholas Kiniski was a Canadian athlete who played football for the Edmonton Eskimos and later was a successful professional wrestler recognized as a multiple-time world heavyweight champion. "Canada's Greatest Athlete", as he billed himself for promotional purposes, was born in Edmonton, Alberta. Like Bronko Nagurski before him, Kiniski was one of the first world champions in professional wrestling to have a previous background in football. He is the father of professional wrestler Kelly Kiniski and international amateur and professional wrestler Nick Kiniski.
Known For

Film
Paradise Alley
Wrestler
1978

Film
Double Happiness
Man at Bus Stop
1994

Film
The History of the World Heavyweight Championship
Himself
2009

Film
WWE Badd Blood: In Your House
Himself
1997

Film
Terminal City Ricochet
Commander Crutcher
1990

Film
NWA Starrcade 1983
Gene Kiniski (Referee)
1983

Film
WCW Slamboree 1993
Gene Kiniski (Cornerman)
1993
Film
WCCW Cotton Bowl Extravaganza '85
Gene Kiniski (Manager)
1985
Film
Mad Dog Vachon: Wrestling with the Past
Himself
1999
Filmography
2009FilmThe History of the World Heavyweight Championshipas Himself1999FilmMad Dog Vachon: Wrestling with the Pastas Himself1997FilmWWE Badd Blood: In Your Houseas Himself1994FilmDouble Happinessas Man at Bus Stop1993FilmWCW Slamboree 1993as Gene Kiniski (Cornerman)1990FilmTerminal City Ricochetas Commander Crutcher1985FilmWCCW Cotton Bowl Extravaganza '85as Gene Kiniski (Manager)1983FilmNWA Starrcade 1983as Gene Kiniski (Referee)1978FilmParadise Alleyas Wrestler