Identity area
Type of entity
Authorized form of name
Parallel form(s) of name
Hart, Stu
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
History
Stewart E. "Stu" Hart, 1915-2003, was born near Forgan, Saskatchewan, and grew up in Tofield and Edmonton, Alberta. An all-round athlete, he established himself as an amateur wrestler, winning many provincial and national championships. He continued his athletic career after he enlisted in the navy in 1942. After his discharge in 1946, he headed for New York City to launch his professional wrestling career. While in New York he met Helen Smith, 1924-2001, the daughter of middle distance runner Harry Smith. They were married on New Year's eve, 1947, and had twelve children, Smith, Bruce, Keith, Wayne, Dean, 1955-1990, Elizabeth (Ellie), Georgia, Bret, Alison, Ross, Diana, and Owen, 1965-1999.
The Harts returned to Alberta where in 1951 they launched Stampede Wrestling. Under the Hart's guidance, Stampede Wrestling became a successful enterprise with a world-wide television audience. Hart became one of the world's most renowned wrestling promoters. Two of his sons, Bret and Owen, 1965-1999, gained international fame with World Wrestling Federation (later renamed World Wrestling Entertainment). Bret later wrestled for World Championship Wrestling. Stampede Wrestling closed in 1990. Stu Hart received the Order of Canada for his contribution to Canadian sport. He was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 1980.
For further information see Stu Hart : Lord of the Ring / Marsha Erb. -- Toronto : ECW Press, 2002; and Pain and Passion : The History of Stampede Wrestling / Heath McCoy. -- 1st ed. -- Toronto : CanWest Books, 2005.