Former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) wrestler James Harris, popularly known as ‘Kamala’, has recently passed away. He was 70-year-old.
WWE issued an official statement to confirm the sad news of Kamala’s demise, while also paying condolences to his family and friends.
“WWE extends its condolences to Harris’ family, friends and fans,”the official statement from WWE said.
Under the face paint of Kamala, the 6ft 7 ins, 380lb James Harris battled the greatest superstars in sports-entertainment history, including Hulk Hogan, The Undertaker and Andre the Giant. He wrestled more than 400 matches over the course of several stretches with the WWE.
“He terrorised opponents and thrilled audiences in Mid-South, World Class Championship Wrestling, WCW and WWE until 2006,” WWE said in a statement.
WWE NXT General Manager William Regal said on Instagram: “My deepest condolences to the family of James Harris. I first saw him on TV when I was a child in the UK and at live shows as “The Mississippi Mauler” Big Jim Harris and then had the pleasure of being on shows with him in the US. A lovely man.”
The 6ft 7in star was best known for his appearances in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) era, in the mid-1980s and early 1990s.
He fought Hulk Hogan, The Undertaker and Andre the Giant among others.
Later in life he suffered with severe health problems and had his left leg amputated in 2011 due to diabetes.
Kamala’s character, the “Ugandan Giant”, appeared in war paint and a mask and carried a spear; a depiction which was criticised by some fans as racially insensitive.
But Harris said he enjoyed the role and being an entertainer. In 2012, he recalled how his mentor Jerry Lawler invented the Kamala character.
“He put the paint and stuff on me and they put the little skirt on me,” Harris said. “I like doing that kind of stuff.”
American professional wrestler Frankie Kazarian also paid tribute to Kamala by describing him ‘a giant of gentleman’.
“RIP Kamala. I’m happy I had the opportunity to share a locker room with him many years ago. A giant of a gentleman. Godspeed sir,” Kazarian wrote on Twitter.
