Mimi Lesseos
| Mimi Lesseos | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Mimi Diane Lesseos |
| Born | February 25, 1964[1] |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Magnificent Mimi |
| Billed weight | 130 lb (59 kg) |
| Debut | 1980 |
| Retired | 1994 |
Mimi Diane Lesseos[1] is an American female professional wrestler, actress, model and stuntwoman best known by her ring name Magnificent Mimi.
Early life
Lesseos was raised in Hollywood, California. She is the youngest of five children born to a Greek father and a Latino mother. She began martial arts lessons at age six, and debuted as a professional fighter at age sixteen.[2]
Professional wrestling career
American Wrestling Association
In 1988, Lesseos debuted in the American Wrestling Association. She competed against women such as Candi Devine and Lori Lynne (formerly Colonel Ninotchka of Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling) to become the top contender for the AWA World Women's Championship, which was held by Madusa Miceli. Miceli refused to grant her singles matches, which caused Lesseos to interrupt Miceli's title defenses against other contenders, such as Susan Sexton and Brandi Mae.[3] She also teamed with Wendi Richter against Miceli and Sylvia (wife and valet of Robert Fuller) in a series of tag team matches.[4] She was eventually rewarded with singles matches against Miceli. They feuded throughout the summer and fall of 1988, but Lesseos was unable to win the title. While working in the AWA, Lesseos was featured in the December 1989 issue of Playboy magazine posing with the AWA World Women's Championship belt, even though she never held the title.[1]
Later career
After the AWA closed, Lesseos joined the Ladies Professional Wrestling Association. She became a contender for the LPWA Championship and competed against women such as Malia Hosaka, Sindy Paradise, Dawn Marie, Jan Flame, and La Gata. She also formed a tag team with Denise Storm. The duo feuded with Terri Power and Reggie Bennett.[2]
Acting career
After retiring from professional wrestling in 1994, Lesseos appeared in numerous television series films as both an actress and stuntwoman. She has written, produced, and starred in several motion pictures, including Pushed to the Limit (1992), Beyond Fear (1993), Streets of Rage (1994), Personal Vendetta (1995)[5] and Double Duty (2009). Her credits also include Million Dollar Baby, Gangs of New York, The Scorpion King, Man on the Moon, The X-Files, Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman, and Final Impact. She was also the longtime stuntwoman for Jane Kaczmarek on Malcolm in the Middle.[2]
Personal life
Lesseos is the single mother of twin children.[1][2]
Notes
- ^ a b c d "Magnificent Mimi profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ a b c d "Magnificent Mimi - All Women Wrestling". All Women Wrestling. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ "CLASSIC AWA 6/3 TV REPORT". Wrestling Figs. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ "The SmarK Rant for AWA Championship Wrestling on ESPN Classic – 08.25.11". Inside Pulse. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
- ^ "Mimi in Action", Black Belt, September 2002, p. 93.
External links
- American female professional wrestlers
- American film actresses
- American film producers
- American kickboxers
- American screenwriters
- American stunt performers
- Female kickboxers
- 1964 births
- Living people
- Hispanic and Latino-American people
- Professional wrestlers from California
- American people of Greek descent
- Actresses of Greek descent