 Captain Lou Albano, a former professional wrestler and actor (though never a sea captain), recently passed away at the age of 76 of natural causes. In the wake of his death, searches surged on the man and his unique body of work.
While primarily a manager in the World Wrestling Federation, Albano may have been best known for his role in the '80s music video "Girls Just Want to Have Fun." Albano played the part of Cyndi Lauper's ill-humored dad who simply couldn't understand his daughter's desire to cut loose. The New York Daily News explains that the video's combination of rock and wrestling helped to "boost both Lauper's record sales and the WWE's ratings."
Albano spent the majority of his career as a manager for singlet-clad gladiators in the WWF (now named WWE). His maniacal beard, often tamed with a rubber band, made him instantly recognizable. CNN writes that Albano's rough-and-tumble attitude "earned him the distinction of 'one of the most hated men' in wrestling for 15 years." That might sound like nothing to brag about, but in pro wrestling, being loathed is just as good as being loved.
And, from what we can tell, Albano still loved the sport, or at least fighting. According to the NY Daily News, his 75th birthday party "turned into a drunken battle royal, with the arrest of one wrestler."
In the late '80s, Albano starred in "The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!" The bizarre program was part cartoon, part live-action comedy. Albano played Mario, and often acted alongside C-list guest stars like Eve Plumb and Vanna White. Though it lasted only one season, the show entered syndication and can be purchased on DVD.
Still, despite his accomplishments in the wrestling world and his portrayal of video games' biggest stars, the masses are likely to remember Albano for his work with Cyndi Lauper. Below, the video that helped make Lou an icon of the '80s. Have fun.
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