Robert Bruce (wrestler)

Robert Bruce (3 November 1943 – 2 March 2009), born John Charles Young, was a Scottish-born professional wrestler and talent agent in Auckland, New Zealand.

Robert Bruce
Born(1943-11-03)3 November 1943
Musselburgh, Scotland, UK
Died2 March 2009(2009-03-02) (aged 65)
Auckland, New Zealand
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Robert Bruce
Billed height6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Billed weight276 lb (125 kg)
Debut17 March 1967

Biography

Bruce was born in Musselburgh, near Edinburgh in Scotland. He was born John Charles Young, but adopted the stage name of Robert the Bruce, later shortened to Robert Bruce, and kept the name when he quit wrestling. In the ring he played the quintessential villain who prefaced every low blow with an evil smirk, once saying "Honestly, it's better being a bad guy. I suppose it's the underlying evil you may have. You get a lot more fun."[1]

He began wrestling in London in 1967, and toured the United Kingdom, South Africa, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, eventually settling in New Zealand in the 1970s after wrestling John da Silva there for the Commonwealth championship in 1972. He held the Commonwealth Heavyweight Title on and off over a five-year period, and wrestled for the World Title.[2] In 1972, he had a small role as one of the bouncers in the Korova Milk Bar in the film A Clockwork Orange.[3]

Bruce retired from wrestling due to injuries to his back and elbows,[4] and decided to form a talent agency in 1978 when he realised that there was no such company in New Zealand. The Robert Bruce Agency was nicknamed the "Ugly Bruce" agency, as Bruce claimed his first clients were his former wrestling friends seeking roles as ugly people, thugs or stuntmen. His later clients included well-known New Zealand actors such as Cliff Curtis, the late Kevin Smith, Robbie Magasiva, Frankie Stevens, Jackie Clarke and Temuera Morrison.[3] He operated out of a villa in suburban Grey Lynn, and his word was his bond. The villa was distinguished by the word "Tobermory", in memory of the lighthouse on the Isle of Mull where his maternal grandfather was a lighthouse keeper, and where his ashes are to be spread.[1]

In addition to representing several of New Zealand's top actors, Bruce worked as a stuntman and fight co-ordinator on several New Zealand films, television shows and theatrical plays, working on 73 TV series, 39 films and 21 live shows,[3] and as an actor played the role of a former international rugby player in the 1991 film Old Scores.[5] He was an animal lover, and was a vice-patron of the Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.[6]

Bruce died suddenly and unexpectedly after a short illness on 2 March 2009; his age at the time of his death was reported as unknown by some sources,[2] although other sources say he was 65.[2] He is survived by his partner Gabriella Larkin, his elder sister Merle Frame, her husband Robert and their two children. Robert had three daughters, the product of his first marriage to Jean Young, formally Gould. They married in London on 2 February 1963. He was then a Police Constable based in Union Road Station near Wandsworth. Their first daughter Laurie was born in July 1963 with the addition of twin daughters Donna and Julie three years later. They lived as a family in Police accommodation in Charlton South London until they separated and he left to start a new life in New Zealand with his new partner Lyn. He travelled the world with his wrestling and acting career and letters, birthday cards, photographs, etc. were exchanged between the children and Robert for a good few years. His eldest daughter went to visit him in New Zealand in the late 80's where she met many of his friends and Lyn's family.

Championships and accomplishments
  • NWA New Zealand Heavyweight Championship (2 times) [7]
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References
  1. Obituary in Dominion Post 5 March 2009 page B3
  2. "Wrestler, acting agent Bruce dies aged 65". The New Zealand Herald. NZPA. 2 March 2009. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
  3. "Acting fraternity shocked over death of Bruce". Television New Zealand. Reuters. 2 March 2009. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
  4. Ihaka, James (3 March 2009). "Robert Bruce: 'Bad guy' of wrestling spent his life helping others". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
  5. Martin, H., & Edwards, S. (1997) New Zealand film, 1912-1996. Auckland: Oxford University Press (NZ). p. 155
  6. "Wrestler Robert Bruce dies". Otago Daily Times. NZPA. 2 March 2009. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
  7. "British Empire/Commonwealth Heavyweight Title (New Zealand)". Puroresu Dojo. 2003.
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