Tributes have been paid to veteran wrestler, James ‘Kamala’ Harris, who has died at the age of 70 of complications from COVID-19.
He was described as a “great character” and a “tremendously nice man” after World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) announced his death, on Sunday.
The 6ft 7in star was best known for his appearances in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) era, in the mid-1980s and early 1990s.
He fought Hulk Hogan, The Undertaker and Andre the Giant among others.
Later in life, he suffered with severe health problems and had his left leg amputated in 2011 due to diabetes.
Kamala’s character, the “Ugandan Giant”, appeared in war paint and a mask and carried a spear; a depiction which was criticised by some fans as racially insensitive.
But Harris said he enjoyed the role and being an entertainer. In 2012, he recalled how his mentor Jerry Lawler invented the Kamala character.
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“He put the paint and stuff on me and they put the little skirt on me,” Harris said. “I like doing that kind of stuff.”
In his era, Harris was a popular opponent for The Undertaker. The two men battled at the 1992 Survivor Series in a “casket match”, with the Undertaker coming out on top in front of 18,000 fans at the Richfied Colisseum in Ohio.
“God bless Kamala, he always put on a show for the fans. Good big man who worked the gimmick better than most. It breaks my heart,” tweeted fellow former wrester The Iron Sheik.
“Sorry to hear a legend has passed,” added former wrestler and commentator Taz.
Harris hailed from Mississippi and began wrestling in 1978, under the ring name “Sugar Bear.”
In 2004, he made a surprise return to the re-branded WWE.
“Such a great character,” posted wrestling journalist Sean Ross. “Memorable and influential. May he rest in peace.”
