His birth name was Markiyan Mazurkevych, born to a ethnic Ukranian family, in what is now Ukraine, but was then part of Austria-Hungary. His family emigrated to the US in 1913.
He played football and basketball at Manhattan University.
He graduated from Fordham law school and became an attorney, but took up professional wrestling because he could make a lot more money.
His slurred speech was reportedly because of an injury to his throat while wrestling.
He was co-founder and first president of the Cauliflower Alley Club, a professional wrestling association. A photo of his ear is the logo of the organization.
Contrary to his film roles, in real life he was an intelligent and well-read conversationalist.
He played minor league football for the Wessington Passaic Red Devils.
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