Longtime pro wrestling manager 'Paul Bearer' dies

William Moody, the man who portrayed the spooky mortician Paul Bearer for years with World Wrestling Entertainment, has died. He was 58.

Moody debuted with the then-World Wrestling Federation in 1991 as the manager of The Undertaker and was under contract with WWE, making occasional TV appearances, until his death. His Paul Bearer character was inspired by his real-life work as a licensed funeral director and embalmer.

Best known for his time working with The Undertaker and Kane, the Mobile, Ala., native played a pivotal role in the wrestlers' initial feud in 1997 and traded allegiances throughout WWE's seemingly annual Undertaker-Kane encounters in the years that followed.

"WWE is saddened to learn of the passing of William Moody, aka Paul Bearer. Moody made his WWE debut in 1991 as the manager of The Undertaker and went on to become a memorable part of WWE over the course of the next 20 years," the company said in a statement. "Our deepest condolences go out to Moody’s family, friends and fans."

Tags: arts and entertainment, news, life, obituaries, entertainment, updates

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