It has sadly been confirmed that Lanny Poffo has passed away.
Jim Duggan was the first to break the sad news, writing on social media that he had been asked to confirm Poffo’s passing.
Lanny Poffo was born into a wrestling family on December 28th, 1954. His father Angelo was a wrestler himself and later became a promotor. Lanny is also the real-life younger brother of WWE legend “Macho Man” Randy Savage.
Poffo began his own wrestling journey in 1974 working for the All-South Wrestling Alliance. From here the star featured for a number of NWA-affiliated promotions including Mid-South Wrestling and the CWA as well as his father’s outlaw International Championship Wrestling promotion.
Lanny Poffo Joins The WWF
However, the star is perhaps best known for his stint in the WWF from 1985 until 1992. It was here where he became “Leaping” Lanny Poffo and later “The Genius.” During this period he joined forces with Mr Perfect to take on Hulk Hogan.
Poffo moved to WCW in 1995 to reunite with his brother but wrestled less than a handful of matches before leaving the promotion in 1999.
The star made a special return to WWE in March 2015 when he inducted Randy Savage into the Hall of Fame, before appearing at WrestleMania 31 the following day with the other inductees.
Outside of wrestling, Poffo was a published writer and poet.
Everyone at Inside The Ropes sends their deepest condolences to Lanny Poffo’s family and friends during this difficult time.