Buddy Roberts Death

Buddy Roberts Death – Pneumonia

1947-2012 (age 65)

Dale Hey, or “Buddy Roberts”, as he was known to wrestling fans, rose to fame in the 80s with the Fabulous Freebirds.

Prior to his run with the ‘Birds, Buddy was part of the original Hollywood Blondes, alongside Jerry Brown. Though the Hollywood Blondes name is more commonly linked to Steve Austin and the late Brian Pillman, the original incarnation is not to be overlooked.

In 2012, Jim Ross noted “the original Hollywood Blondes of Roberts and Brown were one of the most underrated tag teams ever in the business.”

The Fabulous Freebirds

Alongside his Freebird cohorts, Michael “PS” Hayes and Terry “Bam Bam” Gordy, Buddy Roberts and the Freebirds were a fixture of 1980s professional wrestling. Perhaps their most notable feud taking place against the Von Erichs in WCCW.

The Von Erich’s were the baby faces of WCCW, a promotion which was owned by their father, Fritz Von Erich. The attitude of the Fabulous Freebirds made them the perfect heel rivals to challenge the beloved Von Erichs.

January 30, 1984 Fort Worth, TX

Terry Gordy would best be described as the enforcer for the Fabulous Freebirds, while P.S. Hayes was the flamboyant mouthpiece. Where does this leave Buddy Roberts? Buddy was the no-frills, take-no-shit guy.

Perhaps not surprisingly, it’s said that Buddy’s in ring persona matched his demeanor outside the squared circle.

Buddy Roberts death

Jim Ross noted that Buddy had been doing construction work in the Chicago area prior to his death. It’s also well known that Roberts was diagnosed with throat cancer in the early 2000s – attributed to years of smoking cigarettes.

While Buddy had previously seemed to win his bout with cancer, ultimately pneumonia entered both lungs, taking his life on November 29, 2012.

In 2015, Buddy Roberts and the Fabulous Freebirds were posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

By Ryan on October 20, 2016   /   2010s, 2012, Pneumonia   /   3 Comments