Stephen Cepello

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For the wrestler who competed as Steve Strong in Montreal and Puerto Rico in the 1980s, see Steve DiSalvo.
Stephen Cepello
Birth nameStephen Cepello
Born (1949-06-29) June 29, 1949 (age 74)[1]
Arizona, United States[2]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Steve Strong[2]
Billed height6 ft 4 in (193 cm)[2]
Billed weight282 lb (128 kg)[2]
Trained byMac McFarland[3]
Debut1973[4]
Retired1980

Stephen Cepello (born June 29, 1949) is an American artist and former

professional wrestler. As a wrestler, he was best known by his ring name, "The California Terminator" Steve Strong. After retiring from wrestling to focus on his art career, he was selected to paint the official Governor's Mansion and Minnesota State Capitol portraits of former wrestler and Governor of Minnesota Jesse Ventura
.

Early life

Cepello was raised in Arizona, where he began painting at age seven. He attended the

Kachina School of Art in Phoenix.[5] He attended college in Phoenix and played on the basketball team, earning an induction to the school's athletic hall of fame.[3]

Professional wrestling career

Strong began wrestling in 1973, competing for

Karl Von Steiger on August 16.[9]

Art career

Cepello appeared in the music video for Michael Nesmith's "Cruisin'", which was included in the 1981 collection titled Elephant Parts. Nesmith mistakenly stated in 1989 that Hulk Hogan played the role, but he corrected his statement in 2003.[10] He has also appeared in several movies. In 1981, he played Ivory King in Tarzan, The Ape Man.[11] That year, he also had a role in Looker, which was directed by Michael Crichton.[12] In 1985, Strong appeared in Grunt! The Wrestling Movie, portraying a character known as The Mask.[13]

Cepello has painted two portraits of former tag team partner and Governor of Minnesota Jesse Ventura. One, which was painted for the

World Wrestling Federation, hidden in the folds of Ventura's sleeve, while others believe that Ventura's tie contains a hidden face.[16]

He has also done commercial artwork, which has including the logo for Dave Draper's Bomber Blend whey protein.[17] While living in Hawaii, he also painted and sold seascape paintings.[5] Cepello, whose work has included many portraits of animals, is also active in working to preserve marine wildlife.[5]

Championships and accomplishments

References

  1. ^ Saalbach, Axel. "Steve Strong". WrestlingData.com. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Steve Strong". Cagematch.net. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Wrestler Profiles: Steve Strong". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-04-25.
  4. ^ a b Oliver, Greg (January 15, 2001). "A strong statement with Ventura portrait". SlamWrestling.net. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  5. ^ a b c "Biography". SteveCepello.com. Archived from the original on 2005-02-05. Retrieved 2009-04-25.
  6. ^ "The History of Pro-Wrestling in Hawaii (1973 - 1980)". 50th State Big Time Wrestling. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
  7. ^ a b c "NWA Hawaiian Junior Heavyweight/Heavyweight Title History". Solie's Wrestling Titles. Retrieved 2009-04-25.
  8. ^ Davey, Monica (2003-11-14). "From Wrestling Buddy to Official Portraitist". New York Times. Retrieved 2009-04-25.
  9. ^ a b c d "NWA Hawaiian Tag Team Title History". Solie's Wrestling Titles. Retrieved 2009-04-25.
  10. ISBN 0-9658218-4-6
    .
  11. All Movie Guide. 2012. Archived from the original
    on 2012-10-22. Retrieved 2009-10-31.
  12. All Movie Guide. 2012. Archived from the original
    on 2012-10-22. Retrieved 2009-10-31.
  13. ISBN 0-933997-14-0
    .
  14. ^ Oliver, Greg. "A Strong statement with Ventura portrait". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved 2009-04-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  15. ^ "Official Portrait of Former Gov. Jesse Ventura is Unveiled". Minnesota Historical Society. Archived from the original on 2009-05-25. Retrieved 2009-04-25.
  16. ^ Howe, Patrick (2003-12-19). "Viewers squint at portrait for a Ventura Code". Augusta Chronicle. Retrieved 2009-04-25. [dead link]
  17. ISBN 1-931046-65-4
    .

External links
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Stephen_Cepello&oldid=1201947632"