Hercules (1975 – February 4, 2000) was a trained wrestling bear from Scotland who appeared in a number of cameo roles for various television productions, reaching the height of his popularity in the 1980s. He was owned by wrestler Andy Robin and his wife, who originally bought him from a wildlife park in Aviemore as a baby cub.
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Early popularity
Hercules first appeared with Andy in his act on the UK wrestling circuit in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Playing the role of a gentle giant, the bear regularly drew audiences of 15 million viewers on ITV's World of Sport programme. It was this which gave Hercules early success, leading to a number of small acting roles on television.
International stardom
While filming for a Kleenex television commercial on August 20, 1980, Hercules managed to escape on Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides, where he went missing for 24 days. In a rescue attempt joined by hundreds of volunteers, searched parties looked for Hercules for three days, calling off the search three days later. Eventually a crofter spotted the animal swimming on September 13, where he was shot with a tranquilliser dart, netted and flown by helicopter back to Andy. The story made Hercules an almost instant celebrity around the world, as the world's media gathered round the cage as the bear was slowly brought back to consciousness.
Filmography
- 1983: Wrestled with Roger Moore in the James Bond movie Octopussy.
- 1997: Starred in a documentary for the animated Disney film Hercules.
In addition, Hercules has starred in a number of other small film roles, children's documentaries and chat shows.
Facts
- 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 Scottish Tourist Board and received a telegram from Ronald Reagan.
- Andy Robin set a record in Canada by pinning Bull Johnson in approximately 6 seconds.
Later life
Whilst filming a documentary for Disney, the bear fell over and slipped a disc in his back, marking an abrupt end to his film career. Hercules eventually died of old age on February 4, 2000.
