Abe Coleman
| Abe Coleman | |
|---|---|
Abe Coleman at his 100th birthday party on September 18, 2005.
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|
| Born |
September 20, 1905 Żychlin, Łódź, Poland |
| Died | March 28, 2007 (aged 101) Queens, New York City, New York, United States |
| Cause of death | Kidney failure |
| Spouse(s) | June Miller (m. 1939; her death 1987) |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Abe Coleman Hebrew Hercules Jewish Tarzan Little Hercules |
| Billed height | 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m) |
| Billed weight | 220 lb (100 kg) |
| Billed from | Los Angeles, California |
| Debut | 1928 |
| Retired | 1958 |
Abe Kelmer / Abba Kelmer (September 20, 1905 – March 28, 2007) was a Polish professional wrestler, promoter and referee, known by the ring names Abe Coleman, Hebrew Hercules, and Jewish Tarzan. At the time of his death, Coleman was believed to be the oldest professional wrestler in the world.
Kelmer was born to a Jewish family in Żychlin, Poland in 1905. His father was a coal-seller. Kelmer had 15 older brothers and sisters, some of whom perished in the Holocaust. In 1923, he emigrated to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and later moved to New York City in the United States.
According to the Canadian Online Explorer's Greg Oliver, there is debate regarding Kelmer's debut in professional wrestling. In 1929, local promoter Rudy Miller offered Coleman $25 to wrestle after seeing him work out in a Brooklyn gym. Despite this, an "Abe Coleman" wrestled to a draw with George Deslonchamps on March 19, 1928 at Madison Square Garden, but it is unknown if it was Kelmer or another wrestler with the same ring name.
Coleman is also credited with the invention of the dropkick, claiming the move was inspired by kangaroos he saw on a tour of Australia in 1930.
Coleman was never a champion, but was regarded as a solid midcard worker. In the 1930s, Coleman defeated Jim Londos in a match in a Mexico City bullring in front of 60,000 spectators. During a 1936 match against Man Mountain Dean in front of 36,000 people, Coleman slammed Dean to the ground, breaking the ring mat and dropping the pair down to the arena floor.
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