Dean Martin was one of the biggest stars of the 20th century, known for his smooth singing voice, his effortless charm, and his iconic partnership with fellow Rat Pack member Frank Sinatra. But despite his larger-than-life persona, Martin had an unusual guilty pleasure that many fans might not have expected: he loved to watch professional wrestling.
In the 1950s and 1960s, wrestling was experiencing a boom in popularity, thanks in part to the rise of television. Martin was a regular viewer of the sport, which he found to be an entertaining and exciting form of entertainment. He would often attend live wrestling matches and even made a few appearances as a guest referee.
Martin’s love of wrestling was unusual for a number of reasons. For one thing, he was a big star at the time, with a thriving career in music and film. Wrestling, on the other hand, was seen as a lowbrow form of entertainment, more closely associated with working-class audiences than with Hollywood royalty.
But Martin didn’t care about that. He was a fan of the sport, plain and simple. In fact, he loved it so much that he once even tried to become a wrestler himself. In the late 1950s, Martin began training with the intention of stepping into the ring. However, he soon realized that wrestling was a lot harder than it looked, and he ultimately decided to stick with his career in show business.
Despite never becoming a professional wrestler, Martin remained a devoted fan of the sport for the rest of his life. He would often watch wrestling matches at home, and he even had a special room in his house that was dedicated to his wrestling memorabilia. He was also known to invite his wrestling heroes over for dinner, and he reportedly struck up a close friendship with wrestling legend Gorgeous George.
Martin’s love of wrestling may have been unusual, but it was just one example of his eclectic tastes and interests. Throughout his career, he was known for his love of golf, his passion for horse racing, and his affinity for practical jokes. He was also a devoted family man, and he remained close to his children and grandchildren throughout his life.
Despite his many accomplishments and his status as a Hollywood legend, Martin never forgot his roots. He remained down-to-earth and approachable, and he was always willing to share a laugh or a drink with his fans. His love of wrestling may have been unexpected, but it was just one more reason why he was so beloved by audiences around the world.
In the end, Martin’s life was a testament to the power of perseverance, hard work, and a never-ending sense of curiosity. He may have been a big star, but he was also a regular guy at heart, and that’s what made him so special. Whether he was singing a love song, telling a joke, or cheering on his favorite wrestler, Dean Martin was always true to himself, and that’s why he remains a beloved icon to this day.
