Jimmy Del Ray Death – Heart Attack
Jimmy Del Ray – Dead at age 52. photo: wwe.com
1962-2014 (age 52)
David Ferrier, known to wrestling fans as “The Gigolo” Jimmy Del Ray, wrestled throughout the 80s into the mid 90s, most notably as one half of the Heavenly Bodies, alongside the “doctor of desire”, Tom Prichard.
Jimmy Del Ray’s early career, Heavenly Bodies
In 1985, Ferrier got his start in professional wrestling with Championship Wrestling from Florida.
Jimmy Del Ray and the Heavenly Bodies. Managed by Jim Cornette. photo: wwe.com
Eventually, he moved on to Smoky Mountain Wrestling, where he partnered with Tom Prichard, forming the Heavenly Bodies.
Ferrier adapted the ring name “Jimmy Del Ray” and the duo was managed by Jim Cornette. Cornette is also credited with giving Del Ray the moniker of “The Gigolo” – a playful jab at Ferrier’s apparent “jiggling” when he would thrust his midsection, taunting his babyface opponents.
WWF, ECW, WCW
In the early 90s, Smoky Mountain Wrestling signed deals with the WWF and WCW in order to display their talent on a larger platform. The Heavenly Bodies benefited from the deal, making sporadic appearances on WWF programming throughout the early 90s, including several pay per views and a feud with the Steiner Brothers.
In 1995, The Heavenly Bodies briefly wrestled with ECW.
In 1996, Jimmy Del Ray had moved on to singles action with WCW. His stint mostly flew under the radar, wrestling under the moniker “Jimmy Graffiti.”
Injury, Life after Wrestling
Del Ray’s stay with World Championship Wrestling would remain brief, with a knee injury effectively putting him into retirement from wrestling in 1997.
After wrestling, Jimmy operated a hardwood flooring company in Tampa, Florida.
Jimmy Del Ray during his run in the WWF with the Heavenly Bodies. photo: wwe.com
Jimmy Del Ray Death
On December 6, 2014, Ferrier was traveling southbound on route 301 in Tampa in his 2005 Ford F150 truck. According to police reports, his vehicle swerved off the road, hitting a lamp post and a fence.
Ferrier, who was living in Valrico, Florida at the time, was rushed to Tampa General Hospital. Sadly, he didn’t pull through.
Not unlike the death of the “Macho Man” Randy Savage, it was ultimately learned that Ferrier suffered a heart attack while driving. He was 52 years old.
On his podcast, Jim Cornette noted of Jimmy Del Ray: “Nobody worked harder inside the ring in Smoky Mountain Wrestling.”
