Sailor Art Thomas

Sailor Art Thomas
Sailor Art Thomas
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Birth name	Arthur Thomas
Born	January 30, 1924; Wisconsin
Died	Script error: The function "death_date_and_age" does not exist.
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)	Art Thomas; Sailor Thomas; Hercules; The Body
Billed height	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Billed weight	250 lb (110 kg)
Billed from	Fitchburg, Wisconsin

Arthur Thomas (January 30, 1924 – March 20, 2003), better known as Sailor Art Thomas, was an American bodybuilder and professional wrestler.

Thomas was born in Gurdon, Arkansas, as the son of Alfred and Jessie (Lunon) Thomas. Early in his life he moved to Wisconsin. After his mother's death he grew up in a Sparta orphanage in Madison, Wisconsin.

After Merchant Marine service, Thomas worked for the Greyhound Bus Lines and developed an interest in bodybuilding. He started to tour the USA with other bodybuilders. Madison promoter Jimmy Demetral recognized his wrestling talent and began to book him for house shows. He debuted as a pro wrestler in 1943, starting a four-decade career. He would usually be introduced as a "just discharged" Navy seaman, wearing a regulation "crackerjack" uniform and peacoat, and enter the ring as a plant to oppose the heel's dishonorable tactics. Between the 50s and the 70s he was one of only a few African-American pro wrestling stars. During the 1960s he received thirteen opportunities to wrestle for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, including eleven against "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers between 1961 and 1963. Thomas continued to work as a wrestler until the early 1980s.

Thomas had seven children. He died of cancer only a month after being diagnosed with it.