Happy Birthday to those who have passed on and to those great wrestlers still with us:
In Memoriam:
Jim Crockett Sr. 1909
Leo Voss 1912
Happy Birthday:
Ron Mikolajazyk (76)
Lex Luger (68)
Timothy Flowers (66)
AJ Styles (49)
Velvet Sky (45)
Jacy Jayne (31)
RIP Memorial: We stop & remember those who have passed on this day and gave themselves to the business for us, the fans. We salute you and thank you.
Ripper Savage 6-2-1995 at the age of 48
Freddie Blassie 6-2-2003 at the age of 85
Sandy Barr 6-2-2007 at the age of 69
The Life and Career of Brute Bernard
James Prudhomme, better known to wrestling fans worldwide as Brute Bernard (sometimes billed as Jim “Brute” Bernard), was a Canadian professional wrestler whose imposing presence and villainous persona defined him as one of the most feared and respected “heels” (villains) of the territorial era. Born on June 6, 1921, in Quebec, Canada, he stood 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) and weighed around 270 lb (122 kg) in his prime. Bernard carved out a lengthy career spanning from the late 1950s to the early 1980s, excelling particularly in tag team wrestling alongside partners like Skull Murphy. His brawling style, wildman antics, and ability to generate heat made him a draw across North America and Australia.
He was discovered by promoter Jack Britton, who saw potential in the big, tough Canadian and convinced him to train. Bernard made his in-ring debut around 1957 (some sources note 1956) in Ontario. He initially competed under his real name or as Jim Bernard before adopting the “Brute” gimmick, which perfectly suited his rough, intimidating appearance and style.
Trained as a brawler, Bernard quickly found success in the Detroit territory under the legendary Ed Farhat (The Sheik). The territory’s wild, blood-and-guts style aligned with Bernard’s strengths. He developed a reputation for aggressive, no-nonsense wrestling that emphasized power moves, stiff strikes, and chaotic ring behavior—such as ripping turnbuckle pads and tossing them into the crowd.
The Golden Tag Team Era with Skull Murphy
Pictured: Brute Bernard and Skull Murphy
Bernard’s most enduring legacy stems from his long-term partnership with fellow Canadian wrestler Skull Murphy (real name: John Joseph Murphy). The duo became one of the premier heel tag teams of the 1960s, dominating multiple territories with their brute-force approach.
Key achievements include:
• Winning the WWWF United States Tag Team Championship on May 16, 1963, by defeating Buddy Austin and The Great Scott. They held the titles for nearly six months before losing them to Killer Kowalski and Gorilla Monsoon.
• Capturing the NWA World Tag Team Championship (Florida version) twice in 1964 after a tournament victory, engaging in heated feuds with teams like Hiro Matsuda and Duke Keomuka.
• Multiple reigns as IWA World Tag Team Champions in Australia (at least five total with Murphy), where they were hugely successful during tours in 1966, 1968, and 1969.
The pair’s chemistry as “bad guys” was notable. In Jim Crockett Promotions (the Carolinas/Mid-Atlantic), they participated in rare “battle of the bullies” matches against fellow heels like the Blond Bombers (Rip Hawk and Swede Hanson), defying the era’s usual face-vs-heel booking norms.
Murphy’s death on March 23, 1970 (reported as a heart attack or apparent suicide in some accounts) marked the end of this iconic partnership. Bernard continued as a singles wrestler and formed new teams.
Bernard was a versatile territorial wrestler who adapted well across promotions:
• Texas (NWA Big Time Wrestling / World Class Championship Wrestling): In 1967, he defeated Fritz Von Erich for the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Texas version). He also won the NWA Texas Brass Knuckles Championship twice and secured NWA American Tag Team Championship reigns with manager Mike Paidousis (twice) and later Larry Hamilton (The Missouri Mauler).
• Australia: Beyond tag titles, he won the NWA Austra-Asian Heavyweight Championship from Spiros Arion in November 1972 (holding it briefly) and the Australian World Brass Knuckles Championship twice. His work there solidified his international reputation.
• Mid-Atlantic / Jim Crockett Promotions: He teamed with Jay York (managed by Beauregarde) to win the NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Championship in 1973. He also held the NWA Atlantic Coast Tag Team Championship with Larry Hamilton in 1971.
• Later Years: Bernard returned to Detroit as “The Brute” in the mid-1970s and teamed with Frank Morrell for the NWA Western States Tag Team Championship in 1977. He wrestled into his late 50s, a testament to his durability.
His in-ring style relied on brawling, power moves like the backbreaker rack, and psychological warfare. He was managed at times by figures like Gary Hart and Mike Paidousis, enhancing his menacing aura.
Bernard retired around 1980 but wrestled occasionally afterward. His final match reportedly ended in chaos: he refused to follow the scripted finish, leading to a double countout declared by referee Dave Routh. Upset, Bernard attacked Routh backstage, breaking his nose and resulting in his firing.
He was married to female professional wrestler Betty Joe Hawkins. Outside the ring, accounts from those who knew him describe a stark contrast to his on-screen persona. One television crew member recalled Bernard arriving for a taping in a silk smoking jacket, reading glasses, and the Wall Street Journal—a polite, well-read gentleman far removed from the growling brute fans feared.
On July 14, 1984, at age 63, James Prudhomme died in Charlotte, North Carolina, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound while reportedly cleaning a rifle at home. Accounts vary on whether it was accidental or a possible suicide (one story even mentions Russian roulette), but it was ruled an accidental gunshot in many reports.
Brute Bernard left behind a career rich in championships and memorable rivalries against stars like Bobo Brazil, Fritz Von Erich, Johnny Weaver, the Anderson family, and others. He embodied the rough-and-tumble territorial era—traveling extensively, drawing crowds as a top villain, and excelling in tag team wrestling. Though not a household name in the national expansion era like Hulk Hogan’s, his work influenced generations of power-based heels.
One Thing I Learned About Dr D. David Schultz
David Schultz moved to Connecticut, opened a bail bonds business, and pursued fugitives across the U.S. and internationally (including places like Egypt and Puerto Rico). He reportedly apprehended around 1,700 criminals over more than 15 years, collaborating with the FBI, DEA, and local police departments. His imposing 6’6” frame, wrestling-honed toughness, and no-nonsense persona made him well-suited for the dangerous work.
One standout story from this chapter of his life involves him rescuing two young girls who had been kidnapped and were in terrible conditions—he tracked down and apprehended the perpetrator to return the girls safely. Japan’s Fuji TV even filmed a documentary segment on his bounty hunting exploits.
This post-wrestling career is often overshadowed by his infamous 1984 slap of reporter John Stossel, but it highlights Schultz’s real-life “tough guy” reputation extending far beyond the ring. He even detailed these adventures in his 2018 book, Don’t Call Me Fake.
Thank You for Reading
I’m Tony Richards, Pro Wrestling Historian, Author and Storyteller. I share pro wrestling historical items in each issue of the Time Tunnel Pro Wrestling History Newsletter. Thanks for reading! If you enjoy my information on select events, matches and insights, please share it with folks you think might like to be a subscriber!
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