Richard Harris, better known to fans as Black Bart, has passed away at the age of 76 after a courageous battle with cancer. The former WWE, WCW, and WCCW star’s death was confirmed by his wife, Linda, who shared the heartbreaking news on social media.
“You might know him as Black Bart but to me, he was my husband Ricky,” Linda wrote in her post. “He left us this morning. He was pronounced at 5:26 this morning. He is Resting In Peace.”
A Battle with Cancer
In early 2023, Harris publicly revealed that he had been diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, which had spread to his liver. Despite the grim prognosis, he vowed to fight the disease with all his strength and started chemotherapy soon after. However, just weeks ago, it was reported that Harris had ceased chemotherapy and was receiving hospice care. Sadly, his health declined, leading to his passing.
A Legendary Career
Black Bart was a journeyman wrestler, known for his time in various territories across the United States. His career spanned over three decades, during which he competed in Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, Championship Wrestling from Florida, and World Class Championship Wrestling. He also had brief stints in both WWE and WCW, cementing his legacy as a tough and reliable performer in the ring.
Bart was perhaps best known for his work as a tag team wrestler in Texas, where he formed a successful partnership with JBL (John Layfield). The duo won the Texas Tag Team Championship and became close friends, with JBL recently sharing an emotional tribute to his late mentor.
JBL’s Heartfelt Tribute
JBL took to Twitter to express his deep admiration for Black Bart, remembering the many lessons he learned from him.
“Black Bart took me under his wing and taught me how to be a professional wrestler. We were tag champs in Texas—but we were also just buddies. We sat together in the dressing room while Bart spit in his trashcan and constantly joked about everything. Bart meant the world to me. I love you, big brother. RIP,” JBL wrote, accompanied by a heartfelt photo.
Remembering a Legacy
Over the years, Black Bart became a respected figure in the world of professional wrestling, both for his in-ring abilities and his contributions to the wrestling community. His legacy continues to live on through the many wrestlers he mentored, including JBL, who credits him as a significant influence in shaping his career.
Wrestling Inc. extends its deepest condolences to the friends, family, and fans of Richard Harris (Black Bart). His impact on the wrestling world will not be forgotten.