Hercules (bear)
Species | Brown bear |
---|---|
Born | 1975 Scotland |
Died | 4 February 2000 | (aged 24–25)
Occupation | Actor |
Owner |
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web |
Hercules (1975 – 4 February 2001)[1] was a trained grizzly bear from Scotland who appeared in a number of cameo roles for various television productions, reaching the height of his popularity in the 1980s.
Origins
Hercules was born in captivity at the Highland Wildlife Park in Kingussie. The park was unable to accommodate more bears, and if the cub could not be rehomed, it would be put down.
Scottish wrestler Andy Robin had appeared on the same card as wrestling bear (Terrible Ted) in Maple Leaf Gardens in 1965. Learning that the cub was available, Robin and his wife Maggie bought the bear in 1976 for £50, with the idea of training it. In September, with the cub old enough to leave his mother, the couple brought him to their home on Sheriffmuir near Dunblane.[citation needed]
Hercules grew quickly and in one year grew to a weight of 30 stone (190 kg; 420 lbs).
Early popularity
Hercules first appeared with Robin in his act on the UK wrestling circuit in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Robin commissioned a 60-minute documentary, Hercules the Wrestling Bear in 1980 at a cost of £10,000, designed to promote public interest in their show. It was this which gave Hercules early success, leading to a number of small acting roles on television.
International stardom
While filming for a
He would go on to secure higher profile roles in films such as the James Bond movie
Later life
Following the filming of a
Although antibiotics were given to counter this, Hercules struggled to regain his prior health as he entered a state of torpor as a result of colder weather. He died on February 4th 2000 aged 25 (which is around the natural lifespan of a grizzly).[4]
In 2013, Andy and Maggie were invited to unveil a life-size statue of Hercules on North Uist. A documentary, Hercules the Human Bear, aired on
Trivia
- Hercules was featured on the cover of Time and helped to promote the Miss World contest.
- Hercules caddied for comedian Bob Hope at the Scottish golf course of Gleneagles.
- Hercules was once named "Personality of the Year" by the telegram from Ronald Reagan.
- The Scottish duo "Gaberlunzie" dedicated a song to Hercules on their 2003 album The Travelling Man.
- Hercules was stunt double for Gentle Ben in a charity wrestling match with Geoff Capes
See also
References
- ^ Hercules the Bear website. Archived 17 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ BBC's On This Day – "1980: Missing Scottish bear is found", BBC News, 13 September 1980.
- ^ "Bear with a sore back". BBC News Online. BBC. 18 October 1999. Retrieved 5 June 2008.
- ISBN 978-1-78418-815-3.