Wrestleview is sad to report that Black Bart (real name Richard Harris) has passed away at age 76 after losing a battle with stage 4 liver cancer.
Harris’s wife announced his passing with a post on his Facebook page.
Harris began his professional wrestling career in 1975. He went through several in-ring names, including Man Mountain Harris, Hangman Harris, and Hangman Ricky Harris.
During his career, he wrestled for various wrestling promotions, including Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, Georgia Championship Wrestling, Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, Mid-South Wrestling, World Class Championship Wrestling, Universal Wrestling Federation, World Wrestling Federation (now WWE), and World Championship Wrestling.
Two months after leaving WCW, Bart appeared in the Global Wrestling Federation. During his time in the promotion, he won the Bass Knuckles title and the GWF World Tag Team Championships three different times, including once with John Hawk. He was also on a tag team with Bill Irwin as the Wild Bunch and Johnny Mantell as the Rough Riders. He also held various other titles, including the NWA National Heavyweight Championship.
Harris wrestled on the independent scene until he retired from pro wrestling in 2002. However, he made appearances in 2006 for independent promotions in Texas and participated in several NWA reunion shows.
He trained WWE Hall of Famer John Bradshaw Layfield and ran a professional wrestling school at the Dallas Sportatorium, where Necro Butcher graduated.
Harris recently went home from the hospital because his insurance ran out and thus stopped any further chemotherapy treatment.
Source: Wikipedia page for Black Bart
Wrestleview sends its condolences to the family, friends, and fans of Black Bart (Richard Harris) during this difficult and sad time.