Charles Lewis Jr.
Charles David Lewis, Jr. | |
|---|---|
 Charles Lewis, Jr. at ArnoldFest 2009 | |
| Born | 1963 |
| Died | March 11, 2009 |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Mask |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, entertainer |
| Known for | TapouT co-founder and television personality |
Charles Lewis, Jr. (June 23, 1963-March 11, 2009) was an American businessman, promoter and entertainer. Known by his nickname "Mask", Lewis co-founded the TapouT clothing line in 1997, which quickly became a multi-million dollar clothing company.[1]
Mask was posthumously inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in July 2009. Becoming the first and only non-fighter to enter the UFC Hall of Fame.
Career
TapouT
In 1997, Lewis and his two friends began selling mixed martial arts apparel from the back of their Mustang. By 2007, the company had revenue of $22.5 million, with a 2009 target of $225 million.[2] Lewis was known as Mask, because of stripes of facepaint he frequently wore.[1]
Entertainment
In 2007, Lewis – along with promoters "Skyskrape" and "Punkass" – starred in TapouT, a reality television series on cable channel Versus that followed up-and-coming mixed martial arts fighters. The second season of the program began airing in July 2008.[2]
Death
Shortly before 1:00 am on March 11, 2009, Lewis died in a high-speed car crash in Newport Beach, California.[1] His Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale, a race version of the Ferrari 360 Modena collided with a 1977 Porsche before hitting a light pole. Lewis was declared dead at the scene. 32-year-old Lacy Lynn White, a female occupant of Lewis's Ferrari, was ejected from the vehicle and was taken to the hospital. She suffered a fractured elbow and lacerations.[3] The driver of the Porsche was arrested for "alcohol-related gross vehicular manslaughter".[1] As a tribute to his contributions to the UFC, Mask has been inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.[4]
Other
In 2009, Lewis was featured in UFC 2009 Undisputed as an unlockable fighter along with "Skyscrape" and "Punkass" all not dressed in standard UFC attire but in Tapout clothes including hats, shirts, and shoes. Unlockable by achieving three consecutive submission victories in Career mode, he fights in the Light Heavyweight class.
References
- ^ a b c d "TapouT Founder Killed in SoCal Ferrari Crash". Fox News. 2009-03-12. Retrieved 2009-03-12.
- ^ a b "Q&A with 'Mask' from TapouT". Sports Illustrated. CNN. 2008-07-30. Retrieved 2009-03-12.
- ^ "Founder of clothing firm killed in Ferrari crash". MSNBC. 2009-03-12. Retrieved 2009-03-12.
- ^ http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=news.detail&gid=20983