legendary wrestler ... He will go down in the books as someone who mastered the craft". These comments were echoed by Triple H, who said that Heenan was one of the best in-ring talents but chose to be a manager. Journalist Wade Keller states that what sets him apart from other managers was his ability to take "tremendous bumps" (falls to the mat after being attacked). Pro wrestling historian George Schire praised his in-ring ability, commenting: "Bobby was a good athlete – flipping over the ropes, he could do it all. And whether it was as the manager or as a wrestler, he could get the crowd going as well as anyone." His comedic ability was praised by Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, who wrote that Heenan could have been a successful television actor. Comedian David Letterman became a fan of Heenan after seeing him in WWA. WWE Hall of Fame commentator Jim Ross selected Heenan as the greatest talent in the history of the wrestling business. Ross praised Heenan's ability as a color commentator, stating: He was naturally funny ... and enhanced every single talent, including the heroes, even though Bobby did not support the fan favorites as the bad guy announcer. [Heenan] did what every announcer should strive to do and that is to make talent bigger stars than they are and to embellish every talent's TV persona. Awards and accomplishments Cauliflower Alley Club Iron Mike Mazurki Award (2004) Pro Wrestling Illustrated Manager of the Year (1972, 1976, 1989, 1991) Stanley Weston Award (2012) Pro Wrestling Report Lifetime Achievement Award (2009) Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum Class of 2006 St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2010 World Wrestling Entertainment WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2004) Wrestling Observer Newsletter Best Color Commentator (1992–1994) Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 1996) Bibliography Bobby Heenan with Steve Anderson. Bobby The Brain: Wrestling's Bad Boy Tells All. Triumph Books. 2002. Bobby Heenan with Steve Anderson. Chair Shots and Other Obstacles: Winning Life's Wrestling Matches. Sports Publishing. 2004. References External links 1944 births 2017 deaths 20th-century professional wrestlers American color commentators American male professional wrestlers American television talk show hosts Deaths from cancer in Florida Deaths from throat cancer Male actors from Indianapolis Professional wrestling announcers Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum Professional wrestling managers and valets Professional wrestlers from Illinois Professional wrestlers