Robert Swenson

Robert Alexander "Jeep" Swenson Jr. (January 5, 1957 – August 18, 1997) was an American professional wrestler, stuntman and actor.

Robert Swenson
Swenson with his wife and daughter in 1996
Birth nameRobert Alexander Swenson Jr.
Born(1957-01-05)January 5, 1957
San Antonio, Texas, United States
DiedAugust 18, 1997(1997-08-18) (aged 40)
Los Angeles, California, United States
Cause of deathHeart failure
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Jeep Swenson
Jeep the Mercenary
The Final Solution
The Ultimate Solution
Billed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Billed weight405 lb (184 kg; 28.9 st)
Billed fromSan Antonio, Texas
Debut1987
Retired1996

Personal life

Swenson was born in San Antonio, Texas, the son of Patricia Maxine (née Wells) and Robert Alexander Swenson Sr. He was married to Erin Hillsman. The couple had a daughter named Kayleigh.

Career

Wrestling

Swenson wrestled for World Class Championship Wrestling in 1987 and 1988 as Jeep Swenson for manager Gary Hart. He debuted on March 7, 1987, defeating Perry Jackson in a 2 minute challenge match. (WWE Network) His main feud was with Bruiser Brody, who was wrestling as the masked "Red River Jack". According to Swenson, he had the largest biceps in the world at that time. He was billed as being from South Africa, although he was clearly an American.

From 1993 to 1994, he wrestled for Global Wrestling Federation in Texas.

Swenson returned to wrestling for a match at World Championship Wrestling's Uncensored pay-per-view on March 24, 1996. He performed as a member of the "Alliance to End Hulkamania". He was originally named The Final Solution, but following complaints from Jewish organizations to the Turner corporate offices, his character was renamed The Ultimate Solution. WCW claimed they were unaware that The Final Solution was the name Adolf Hitler gave to his plan to destroy the Jews. The Alliance consisted of the Dungeon of Doom, the Four Horsemen, The Ultimate Solution and Z-Gangsta, all working to end Hulk Hogan's career.

Boxing

Swenson boxed as an amateur middleweight and later had a short career as a professional boxer. He won his first two bouts by knockouts, but his third fight was stopped in round one after he was knocked down twice by Frankie Garcia in his pro debut.

Acting

The 6' 4", 405 lb. Swenson appeared as pit fighter "Lugwrench" Perkins in the 1989 Hulk Hogan film No Holds Barred. He also played James Caan's bodyguard Bledsoe in the Damon Wayans and Adam Sandler film Bulletproof, before playing possibly his best known character Bane in the 1997 film Batman & Robin.[1]

Death

On August 18, 1997, Swenson died of heart failure at the UCLA Medical Center. He was 40 years old. Hulk Hogan, Davey Boy Smith, and James Caan gave eulogies at his funeral.[2]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1980The Big BrawlThugUncredited
1989No Holds BarredLugwrench Perkins
1996BulletproofBledsoe
1997Batman & RobinBane
1997The Bad PackMissouri MuleFinal film role
2005Beyond Batman: Frozen Freaks and Femme Fatales -
The Makeup of 'Batman & Robin'
Himself
(archive footage}
Documentary

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1993-1995Walker, Texas RangerJumbo Stark / Sammy2 Episodes

See also

References

  1. Fin Martin and Antohy Evans (August 2003). "Know their Roles". Power Slam Magazine. Lancaster, Lancashire, England: SW Publishing Ltd. pp. 26–31. 109.
  2. "Jeep Swenson dies of heart failure". SLAM! Sports. Canoe.ca. Retrieved December 31, 2018.
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