Black Bart Dies Aged 76

Richard Harris, known to wrestling fans as Black Bart has passed away.

The wife of Richard Harris, Linda, has announced that the star known to fans as Black Bart passed away on January 9th.

“You might know him as Black Bart but to me he was my husband Ricky. He left us this morning . He was pronounced at 5:26 this morning. He is Resting In Peace“

Harris announced that he’d been diagnosed with colon cancer in 2023, and the disease then spread to his liver. In December 2024, it was revealed that Harris had ceased chemotherapy treatment and was “ready to meet his maker.”

Black Bart Trained WWE Legend John Bradshaw Layfield

Richard Harris began his wrestling career back in 1975 and went on to compete in every major promotion in North America. This included spells with Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, Georgia Championship Wrestling, Championship Wrestling from Florida, World Class Championship Wrestling, the WWF, and WCW. Bart also had a short run with All-Japan Pro Wrestling.

The ultimate wrestling journeyman returned to the independent scene after leaving WCW in 1991 and continued to wrestle into the early 2000s.

Shortly after leaving WCW, Bart appeared for the Global Wrestling Federation, and it was here that he trained a young John Layfield, who went on to become WWE Hall of Famer JBL.

In a post on social media following Bart’s passing, JBL paid tribute to his former mentor.

Black Bart took me under his wing and taught me how to be a professional wrestler. We were tag champs in Texas-but we were also just buddies. We sat together in the dressing room while Bart spit in his trashcan and constantly joked about everything. Bart meant the world to me. I love you big brother. RIP

Everyone at TJR Wrestling sends their condolences to Black Bart’s family and friends during this difficult time.