Maurice Tillet
| Maurice Tillet | |
|---|---|
 Tillet in 1940 |
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| Ring name(s) | The French Angel[1] |
| Billed height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)[1] |
| Billed weight | 270 lb (122 kg)[1] |
| Born | October 23, 1903[1] Ural Mountains, Russia[1] |
| Died | August 4, 1954 (aged 50)[1] France[1] |
| Debut | February 1937[1] |
| Retired | February 14, 1953[1] |
Maurice Tillet (October 23, 1903 – August 4, 1954)[1] was a Russian-born French professional wrestler known as The French Angel. Tillet was a leading box office draw in the early 1940s and was twice recognized as world heavyweight champion by the American Wrestling Association run by Paul Bowser in Boston.
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[edit] Early life
Tillet was born in the Ural Mountains in Russia to French parents. His mother was a teacher and his father was a railroad engineer. Tillet's father died when he was young. As a child, Tillet was nicknamed "The Angel" due to his angelic face. In 1917, Tillet and his mother left Russia due to the Revolution and moved to France, where they settled in Rheims. When Tillet was 17, he noticed swelling in his feet, hands, and head, and was diagnosed with acromegaly-a condition caused by the pituitary gland malfunctioning, resulting in bone swelling.[1]
He had wanted to study law, but his acromegaly prevented him from doing so. Tillet served in the French Navy for five years as an engineer.[1]
[edit] Professional wrestling career
In February 1937, Tillet met Carl Pojello in Singapore. Pojello was a professional wrestler, and convinced Tillet to enter the business. Tillet and Pojello moved to Paris for training, and Tillet werestled in France and England until World War II forced them to leave for the United States in 1939.[1]
In Boston, Massachussetts, in 1940, promoter Paul Bowser pushed Tillet, who was wrestling as The French Angel, as a main eventer, and he became a large draw in the area. As a result of his poularity, Tillet was booked as unstoppable, going undefeated for a span of 19 consecutive months. Tillet won the Boston-version of the World Heavyweight Championship in May 1940, holding it until May 1942. In early 1942, he also held the Montreal-based world heavyweight championship. He regained the Boston-based title for a short time in 1944.[1]
As a result of his success, several Angel imitators emerged, including the Russian Angel, the Super Swedish Angel, the Canadian Angel, the Polish Angel, the Czech Angel, the Irish Angel, the Golden Angel, the Black Angel, and the Lady Angel. Tillet actually competed against The Swedish Angel on several occasions.[1]
By 1945, Tillet's health began to fail and he was no longer booked as unstoppable. In his final wrestling match, in Singapore on February 14, 1953, he lost to Bert Assirati.[1]
[edit] Death
Tillet died on August 4, 1954, in France, from heart disease.[1]
[edit] Championships and accomplishments
- Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
- Class of 2012[1]
[edit] References
[edit] Bibliography
- Parker, Mike. The World's Most Fantastic Freaks (1983). ISBN 0-7064-2145-0.
