- A former WWE star passed away after a long battle with cancer.
- He recently stopped chemotherapy after his insurance ran out.
- Heartfelt tributes have poured in from WWE stars past and present.
Former WWE star Black Bart has died at the age of 76 after a three-year battle with cancer.
The American wrestler – whose real name was Richard Harris – was diagnosed with cancer in 2022 and had been receiving chemotherapy.
However, he recently had to stop treatment after his insurance ran out and sadly passed away.
His wife, Linda, confirmed the news on social media Thursday.
In a post on Harris’ Facebook page, she wrote: “You may know him as Black Bart, but to me he was my husband Ricky. He left us this morning.
'It was pronounced at 5:26 this morning. He is resting in peace.'
Former WWE star Black Bart (pictured) has passed away at the age of 76
Black Bart (right) trained former champion JBL (left), who is now a WWE commentator
Harris began his wrestling career in 1975 and competed for more than a quarter of a century before retiring in 2002.
He then devoted himself to training, with John Bradshaw Layfield being his most notable student.
Layfield became a multiple WWE champion and is now an ambassador and commentator for the company.
He posted a heartfelt tribute to Harris on We were tag team champions in Texas, but we were also just friends.
'We sat together in the dressing room while Bart spit in his trash can and constantly joked about everything. Bart meant a lot to me. I love you big brother. BREAKOUT.'
Dusty Rhodes, the father of current WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes, also wrote on X: “Black Bart taught me a lot in my youth. I loved him to death. “We will miss him.”