Personal Info
Known For:
Acting
Birthday:
January 26, 1929
Place of Birth:
Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Social Media
Gordon Solie
Biography
Francis Jonard Labiak was a legendary professional wrestling announcer, known for his work with promotions like Georgia Championship Wrestling and Championship Wrestling from Florida. His distinctive voice and unique style made him one of the most influential wrestling commentators in history.
Born in Minneapolis and a U.S. Air Force veteran, Solie began his wrestling career as a ring announcer in Florida and quickly stood out due to his knowledge and passion for the sport. He was a pioneer in bringing wrestling to a national audience through WTBS and popularized terms that became classics in wrestling.
Throughout his career, Solie avoided using wrestlers’ real names to respect their characters and was so involved that he even learned wrestling moves to describe them more accurately. He declined an offer from WWE due to creative differences and retired in 1995.
He passed away from cancer in 2000, but his legacy lives on. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame and is remembered as “The Walter Cronkite of Wrestling.”
Known For
Filmography
| Year | Movie | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Andre the Giant | Self (archive footage) |
| 2008 | WWE Hall of Fame 2008 | Himself |
| 1995 | WCW All Nighter 1995 | |
| 1995 | WCW: Ric Flar - 2 Decades of Excellence | Gordon Solie |
| 1993 | WCW Slamboree 1993 | Gordon Solie (Announcer) |
| 1986 | NWA Battle of The Belts II | Gordon Solie |
| 1985 | NWA Battle of the Belts | Gordon Solie (Commentator) |
| 1983 | NWA Starrcade 1983 | Gordon Solie (Commentator) |
| 1971 | Jump | Technical Advisor (uncredited) |
| Year | TV Show | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Mid-South Wrestling | Gordon Solie (Color Commentator) (voice) |