Bobby Heenan

Here’s a detailed profile of Bobby “The Brain” Heenan — his life, career, and memorable quotes.

Introduction

Raymond Louis “Bobby” Heenan (November 1, 1944 – September 17, 2017) was an American professional wrestling manager, commentator, and performer, widely considered one of the greatest managers in wrestling history.

Nicknamed “The Brain” (and sometimes “The Weasel”), Heenan combined theatrical villainy, comedic timing, and sharp wit to elevate his wrestlers and entertain audiences.

Early Life & Background

• Heenan was born in Chicago, Illinois on November 1, 1944.

• His full name was Raymond Louis Heenan.

• His father, Robert Heenan, worked on the railroad; his mother, Mildred Bernadette Kambrz, managed a hotel.

• He left formal schooling early (reportedly around 8th grade) to help support his mother and grandmother.

• He grew up as a fan of wrestling and baseball, and early on got involved in events by doing tasks like carrying bags and selling refreshments.

These early experiences gave him exposure to the wrestling world from the ground up and allowed him to absorb the showmanship and dynamics of performance.

Wrestling Career & Roles

Heenan’s wrestling-life spans decades and multiple roles — wrestler (occasionally), manager, commentator, and personality.

Manager & the “Heenan Family”

• Heenan earned his reputation as a heel manager (a “bad guy” manager) — he would manage villain wrestlers, cheat, provoke the audience, and draw “heat” (negative crowd reaction) for himself and his clients.

• Over time, a stable of wrestlers aligned with him was dubbed The Heenan Family across promotions (AWA, WWF, WCW).

• He insisted on calling it his “family” rather than a “stable,” famously quipping that a stable is “a place where you keep a bunch of fly-infested horses.”

• His clients included high-profile names such as André the Giant, King Kong Bundy, “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff, the Brain Busters (Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard), and many others.

Through this role, Heenan became central to key storylines, title matches, and major events (WrestleMania II, III).

Commentator & Personality

• Beginning in the mid-1980s (circa 1984–1986), Heenan shifted into color commentary in the WWF, partnering with Gorilla Monsoon.

• On commentary, he played up his villain perspective, ridiculed heroic wrestlers (“faces”), favored his wrestlers, and engaged in witty banter with Monsoon.

• He was known for his improvisational style: many of his lines were unscripted, reacting in the moment to the ring action or Monsoon’s comments.

• In WCW, he also served as commentator and continued to bring his trademark humor and villainous spin.

End of Career & Later Years

• Heenan officially retired around April 1, 2001, doing commentary at WrestleMania X-Seven.

• He suffered from throat cancer, which was announced in 2002. The disease, and treatments, dramatically affected his appearance and voice.

• He remained active in the wrestling community, making special appearances, attending conventions, and staying connected to fans and colleagues.

• He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004, recognizing his contributions to the industry.

• Bobby Heenan passed away on September 17, 2017, in Largo, Florida.

Impact & Legacy

• Heenan is often cited as the greatest wrestling manager ever for his ability to elevate wrestlers, get under fans’ skin, and balance comedy with villainy.

• His style of commentary (sharp, irreverent, spontaneous) influenced future generations of wrestling broadcasters.

• Many in the wrestling world — wrestlers, commentators, historians — point to Heenan as a blueprint for how managers can be stars in their own right, not just side characters.

• In his Hall of Fame induction speech, he notably expressed longing for his longtime partner Gorilla Monsoon, saying “I wish Monsoon were here.”

His legacy remains in wrestling lore: his name, persona, quotes, and the many performers who passed through The Heenan Family.

Famous Quotes

Here are some of Bobby Heenan’s memorable lines (often laced with humor, sarcasm, and showmanship):

“The two things that scare me most about wrestling fans: they’re allowed to vote and allowed to reproduce.” “I had to — they deserved it. They didn’t have any talent. They stunk. They were horrible! But it made it for a fun show.” “You win some and you lose some. Unless you’re Virgil, then you lose them all.” “This guy makes coffee nervous.” “Are there any swamps in Oklahoma? Yes, there is. It’s called Tulsa.” “I’m a legend in this sport. If you don’t believe me, ask me.” “There’s nothing better than a good blind referee.”

These quotes capture his persona: humorous, self-deprecating, cutting, and deeply entwined with his wrestling identity.

Lessons & Reflections

From Bobby Heenan’s life and career, one can derive a few insights:

1. Personality matters — In performance industries, a strong, distinct persona can be as powerful as technical skill.

2. Elevating others can elevate you — Heenan’s success as a manager depended not only on his own talent but on making his clients more compelling.

3. Adaptability — He shifted from manager to commentator and remained relevant over decades.

4. Humor & timing — His comedic instincts and ability to speak in the moment were central to his appeal.

5. Resilience — Despite health challenges, he remained connected to the wrestling world and respected until the end.