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als:Reaktion bg:Реакция (пояснение) cs:Reakce de:Reaktion et:Reaktsioon el:Αντίδραση es:Reacción eo:Reakcio fa:واکنش fr:Réaction gl:Reacción ko:리액션 hr:Reakcija it:Reazione nl:Reactie ja:反応 no:Reaksjon pl:Reakcja pt:Reação ro:Reacție ru:Реакция simple:Reaction fi:Reaktio uk:Реакція zh:反應

Name	General Lord Dannatt
Birth date	December 23, 1950
Birth place	Broomfield, Essex
Allegiance
Serviceyears	1971–2009
Rank	General
Branch
Commands	1st Batallion, Green Howards4th Armoured Brigade3rd Infantry DivisionCOMBRITFOR, Kosovo ForceDeputy Commander, Stabilisation ForceHeadquarters Allied Rapid Reaction CorpsLand CommandChief of the General Staff
Unit	Green Howards
Battles	The TroublesKosovo War
Awards	Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the BathKnight Commander of the Order of the BathCommander of the Order of the British EmpireMilitary CrossQueen's Commendation for Valuable Service
Laterwork	Constable of the Tower }}

General Francis Richard Dannatt, Baron Dannatt, (born 23 December 1950) is a retired British Army officer and the incumbent Constable of the Tower of London. He was commissioned into the Green Howards in 1971, and his first tour of duty was in Belfast as a platoon commander. During his second tour of duty, also in Northern Ireland, Dannatt was awarded the Military Cross. Following a major stroke in 1977, Dannatt considered leaving the Army, but was encouraged by his commanding officer to stay. After staff college, he became a company commander and eventually took command of the Green Howards in 1989. He attended and then commanded the Higher Command and Staff Course, after which he was promoted to brigadier. Dannatt was given command of 4th Armoured Brigade in 1994 and commanded the British component of the Implementation Force (IFOR) the following year.

Dannatt took command of 3rd Mechanised Division in 1999 and simultaneously commanded British forces in Kosovo. After a brief tour in Bosnia, he was appointed Assistant Chief of the General Staff (ACGS). Following the attacks of 11 September 2001, he became involved in planning for subsequent operations in the Middle East. As Commander of the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC), a role he assumed in 2003, Dannatt led the ARRC headquarters in planning for deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. The ARRC served in Afghanistan in 2005, but by this time Dannatt was Commander-in-Chief, Land Command—the day-to-day commander of the Army. He was responsible for implementing a controversial reorganisation of the infantry which eventually resulted in his regiment, the Green Howards, being amalgamated into the Yorkshire Regiment.

Dannatt was appointed Chief of the General Staff (CGS) in August 2006, succeeding General Sir Mike Jackson. Dannatt faced controversy over his outspokenness, in particular his calls for improved pay and conditions for soldiers and for a drawdown of operations in Iraq in order to better man those in Afghanistan. He also set about trying to increase his public profile, worried that he was not recognisable enough at a time when he had to defend the Army's reputation against alleged prisoner abuse in Iraq. He later assisted with the formation of Help for Heroes to fund a swimming pool at Headley Court and, later in his tenure, brokered an agreement with the British press that allowed Prince Harry to serve in Afghanistan. He was succeeded as CGS by Sir David Richards and retired in 2009, taking up the largely honorary post of Constable of the Tower of London.

Between November 2009 and the British general election in May 2010, Dannatt served as a defence advisor to David Cameron. He resigned when Cameron's Conservative Party won the election, stating that, as prime minister, Cameron should rely on the advice of the incumbent service chiefs. Dannatt published an autobiography in 2010 and continues to be involved with a number of charities and organisations related to the armed forces. He is married with four children, one of whom served as an officer in the Grenadier Guards.

Early life

Dannatt, the son of Anthony and Mary (née Chilvers), was born at home in Broomfield—now a suburb of Chelmsford—in Essex. His father and grandfather were architects, working from a practice in Chelmsford, and his mother was a part-time teacher at the London Bible College. He had an elder sister who died from breast cancer in 1988. Dannatt was heavily influenced by his paternal great-grandfather, a Victorian farmer and devout Christian who devised an early drainage system.

Dannatt and his sister were sent to separate boarding schools. He attended Felsted Junior School, where he gained an ambition to become a professional cricketer. For his secondary education, he was sent to St. Lawrence College in Ramsgate, Kent, where he joined the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) and eventually rose to senior under-officer. While at school, he developed a dislike of his first name, Francis, after it was mistaken for a girl's and he was invited to a birthday party at which he was the only boy. He eventually switched to his middle name, Richard, when he was fifteen. By then aspiring to become a barrister, Dannatt applied to study law at Emmanuel College, Cambridge but was turned down after an interview, at which point his ambition switched towards a military career.

Early military career

Having initially been interested in a tank regiment, Dannatt was interviewed at the Regular Commissions Board (later renamed the Army Officer Selection Board) by an officer from the Green Howards, who persuaded him to consider the infantry and arranged for a visit to a barracks near Colchester. There he met Peter Inge, then a major, and Dannatt became set on joining the Green Howards. He entered the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst in September 1969 After a short period of leave, he was sent to Belfast, Northern Ireland, as a platoon commander. Upon completion of the tour, Dannatt returned to the British mainland to take a platoon commanders' course, after which he rejoined the Green Howards at their barracks in West Germany. He and his platoon returned to Belfast in late 1972. For gallantry on an operation in which his platoon came under fire in East Belfast, he was later awarded the Military Cross. His first promotion was to lieutenant on 30 January 1973. Having completed his tour in Northern Ireland, Dannatt applied to take an "in-service" degree—a degree at a civilian university sponsored by the Army—at Durham University. He was accepted, and commenced study of economic history later in 1973. During his first year at university, Dannatt attended a debate at Trinity College, Dublin—a rare opportunity for a serving British officer at the height of The Troubles.

As part of the arrangement for the "in-service" degree, Dannatt was required to return to the Green Howards during the summer holidays. For both summers, the regiment was serving in Northern Ireland—in Armagh in 1974 and South Armagh in 1975. It was during the 1975 tour that Dannatt was involved in an operation to destroy an improvised explosive device. However, the device was booby-trapped and an attempt to disable it resulted in its detonation. Dannatt was uninjured but four soldiers, including Dannatt's company commander—Major Peter Willis—were killed. Shortly after, Dannatt arrested a man in connection with the incident and later gave evidence against him in court. Dannatt graduated in 1976 and, rejoining his regiment, was posted to Berlin. He was appointed battalion adjutant and promoted to captain in July 1977. On 11 November 1977, Dannatt, then just 26, suffered a major stroke and spent most of the next two years recovering, but was allowed to return to duty in 1978. He was posted to Northern Ireland, accompanied by his wife, who gave birth to the couple's first son in Craigavon Area Hospital a few weeks into the tour.

Dannatt left Northern Ireland ahead of the rest of the battalion and was posted to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in Surrey, then under the command of Major (later General Sir) Rupert Smith, and expected this to be his last posting in the light of his stroke. He applied for a variety of jobs outside the Army but, after Smith's encouragement, sat the entrance exams for Staff College, Camberley, also in Surrey. He passed the entrance exams and turned down two civilian job offers to accept his place. Before Camberley, in late 1980, Dannatt was posted to Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, as a company commander. In early 1981, his company took over the running of HM Prison Frankland during a month-long strike by prison officers. Shortly after the end of the strike, he was posted to Cyprus with the United Nations peacekeeping force before returning to Surrey for the start of the one-year Command and Staff Course at Camberley. After completing the course, he was promoted to major on 30 September 1982, and appointed chief of staff to 20th Armoured Brigade, based in West Germany.

After two years as chief of staff, Dannatt returned to the Green Howards, then also based in West Germany, to command a company for the second time in his career. He was posted to Northern Ireland for six months in 1985, his fifth tour of the province, though it was significantly quieter than his previous tours. He was appointed Military Assistant to the Minister of State for the Armed Forces in 1986, his first position at the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in London. Promoted to lieutenant colonel on 30 June 1987, Dannatt spent three years at the MoD, in a role he described as "bridging the gap" between the military and politicians, most of whom did not have first-hand experience in the armed forces. At the end of his tenure, he was involved with Field Marshal Sir Nigel Bagnall's ''British Military Doctrine'' in its final stages as it was submitted for ministerial approval. The Green Howards celebrated their 300th anniversary in 1988 and Dannatt took command of the regiment in 1989. He was responsible for overseeing its transition into an airmobile role, forming part of 24th Airmobile Brigade. He served his sixth and final tour in Northern Ireland in 1991 when the Green Howards were deployed to South Armagh for a month.

Returning to Staff College, Camberley, Dannatt took the Higher Command and Staff Course (HCSC), and tasked with the running of the HCSC, as well as updating the ''British Military Doctrine'' in the light of the end of the Cold War. He also drafted the campaign plan for Lieutenant General (later General Sir) Mike Rose's command of the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) in the Balkans. Dannatt was promoted to brigadier on 31 December 1993, backdated to 30 June 1993, and took command of 4th Armoured Brigade, based in Germany. He spent 1994 commanding the brigade and overseeing training and, in 1995, was posted to Bosnia along with his headquarters staff, leaving the rest of the brigade in Germany and taking command of separate units already deployed in Bosnia. He commanded UNPROFOR's Sector South West, composed of troops from multiple nations, while also serving as Commander of British Forces (COMBRITFOR), responsible for overseeing operations of all British troops in Bosnia. After the signing of the Dayton Agreement in November 1995, UNPROFOR became the NATO-led Implementation Force and Dannatt's brigade was incorporated into a multi-national division commanded by Mike Jackson. Dannatt was later appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his service in the Balkans. Handing over 4th Armoured Brigade to David Richards, Dannatt was appointed Director, Defence Programme Staff at the MoD in 1996 and was responsible for part of the implementation of the Strategic Defence Review, produced by the Labour government that had come to power in 1997.

High command

After three years at the MoD, Dannatt attained general officer status with promotion to major general, and took command of the 3rd Mechanised Division in January 1999. Later in the year, the prospect of NATO intervention in the Kosovo War became likely, and Dannatt and his staff began planning for a potential ground invasion of the territory. In the event, Slobodan Milošević agreed to withdraw Serbian–Yugoslav forces from Kosovo, the practicalities of which were negotiated by Mike Jackson. It was decided, given the large number of British troops serving as part of the multinational Kosovo Force (KFOR), that the 3rd Division's headquarters would deploy to oversee British operations, with Dannatt as COMBRITFOR. Not long after Dannatt's arrival, a Russian armoured column moved into Kosovo and took control of Pristina Airport. Wesley Clark, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, subsequently ordered Jackson, commander of KFOR, to block the runways of the airport and prevent Russia flying in reinforcements. The issue eventually became moot but Dannatt, as COMBRITFOR, had been ordered to veto the use of British troops—known in NATO as a "red card", afforded to each national contingent commander—for any such operation. He was later awarded the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service for his conduct in Kosovo.

Returning to the 3rd Division, Dannatt planned two exercises at the British Army Training Unit Suffield in Canada. The first was, at the time, the largest exercise the Army had run since the end of the Cold War; the second only took place after Dannatt's tenure as commander had expired. Dannatt gave evidence as an expert witness in the trial of Radislav Krstić in relation to the Srebrenica massacre, shortly after which he was posted to Bosnia, where he served as deputy commander of NATO's Stabilisation Force in 2000. His tour, originally scheduled to last a full year was cut short when Sir Michael Willcocks took early retirement from the Army in order to become Black Rod. The resulting personnel changes to fill the vacancy meant that Dannatt was appointed Assistant Chief of the General Staff (ACGS) in April 2001. In September 2001, he was on a visit to British troops in Cyprus and watched the immediate aftermath of the September 11 attacks on television. As ACGS, he was peripherally involved in planning for the Army's subsequent involvement in Afghanistan and later Iraq, as well as standing in for the Chief of the General Staff (then Michael Walker) when Walker was unavailable. Dannatt was succeeded as ACGS by David Richards, to whom he had handed over command of 4th Armoured Brigade in 1996 and who later succeeded Dannatt as Chief of the General Staff.

Dannatt was appointed Commander, Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (COMARRC) on 16 January 2003 and promoted to lieutenant general the same day. During his tenure, he was predominantly concerned with planning for possible deployment of the ARRC in Iraq and Afghanistan. It was eventually deployed to Afghanistan, but not until after Dannatt had handed over its command to David Richards. Dannatt was knighted with his investiture as a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) in June 2004. He succeeded Sir Timothy Granville-Chapman as Commander-in-Chief, Land Command (CINCLAND)—responsible for day-to-day running of the Army—on 7 March 2005, and was promoted to full general the same day. The prevailing issue during his tenure as Commander-in-Chief was the reorganisation of the infantry, an emotive issue as it resulted in the loss of many historic regimental names, including Dannatt's regiment, the Green Howards, which became 2nd Battalion, the Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards). However, his term also coincided with an increase in the intensity of simultaneous operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Dannatt formed the view that government spending priorities did not accurately reflect the commitments of the British Armed Forces at the time.

Chief of the General Staff

Upon the retirement of Sir Mike Jackson, Dannatt was appointed Chief of the General Staff (CGS)—the professional head of the British Army—on 29 August 2006. Concerned that the formation of the British Armed Forces Federation meant that soldiers were losing confidence in generals to lobby on their behalf, his first act as CGS was to write a long letter to the Secretary of State for Defence, Des Browne, which he copied to the MoD's senior civil servant, Bill Jeffrey; Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, Chief of the Defence Staff; and to the First Sea Lord and Chief of the Air Staff—his opposite numbers in the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force respectively. In the letter, he asserted his view that the Army was over-stretched by operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and that essential equipment, such as helicopters, was unavailable or ineffective and outdated, like the Snatch Land Rover. He also raised concerns with the standard of accommodation provided for soldiers at home and with soldiers' wages. The following weekend, he travelled to Afghanistan on his first official visit as CGS. He met Des Browne in person for the first time two days after becoming CGS and later acknowledged the difficulties faced by defence secretaries in the little time they have to prepare for the role.

Later in his tenure as CGS, Dannatt became concerned that his public profile was not high enough that he would be listened to outside of the Army, especially given the ongoing controversy surrounding the courts-marshal of soldiers alleged to be involved in the death of Baha Mousa. As such, he accepted an invitation to an informal gathering of officers and journalists at the Cavalry and Guards Club in September 2006. During the gathering, he raised issues with journalists about defence spending in general and soldiers' wages in particular. To his surprise, and as a result of media pressure and internal lobbying, a bonus for soldiers who had served six-month tours in Iraq and Afghanistan was announced a month later. Dannatt appeared in newspaper headlines in October 2006 when he gave an interview for Sarah Sands of the ''Daily Mail'' in which he opined that a drawdown of troops from Iraq was necessary in order to allow the Army to focus on Afghanistan, and that wounded soldiers should recover in a military environment rather than civilian hospitals. Several newspapers portrayed his comments as an attack on the government, and on on Tony Blair—then the prime minister—personally. His comments were supported by several journalists and retired officers, though others believed Dannatt had acted improperly and called for his resignation, while Simon Jenkins of ''The Times'' called Dannatt's comments "either daringly brave or totally naive".

Dannatt went on to chair a conference of welfare providers to military personnel in order to show that the Army understood the issues affecting its soldiers and to organise a series of smaller conferences, hosted by himself and Sir Freddie Viggers—then Adjutant-General to the Forces—to discuss welfare issues with commanding officers across the UK. In 2007, Dannatt and his wife, Pippa, visited Headley Court, an MoD rehabilitation centre for wounded personnel, where the commanding officer informed the Dannatts of his desire for a swimming pool, but accepted that it was unlikely to receive government funding. Some time later, the Dannatts were introduced to Bryn and Emma Parry by Sarah-Jane Shirreff—the wife of Sir Richard Shirreff—and the Dannatts assisted the Parrys with the formation of Help for Heroes, set up with the specific aim of funding the swimming pool at Headley Court. Dannatt initially worried that the charity's ₤2 million goal might be unattainable, but it eventually raised enough money to build both the pool and a gymnasium, which were opened in 2010. He and Pippa later assisted both Help For Heroes and SSAFA Forces Help in efforts to build houses to accommodate the families of wounded servicemen at Headley Court and the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine in Birmingham, inspired by the difficulties faced by the family of George Cross–recipient Peter Norton.

Another of Dannatt's priorities was tackling the perception of the British operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, as he was concerned the news media and the British public were unaware of the purpose or the intensity of the missions. Disgruntled by increasingly negative coverage, he interrupted a family holiday in Cornwall to fly to Afghanistan in an effort to change the coverage through a series of interviews. During the visit, he managed to meet with his son, Bertie, who was serving in the country with the Grenadier Guards. Later in 2007, Dannatt raised the same issue in a lecture to the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London. Earlier that year, Dannatt had taken the decision not to allow Prince Harry to serve in Iraq. However, after Dannatt had brokered an understanding with the British press, Harry was able to serve in Afghanistan for three months in late 2007 and early 2008 until the story broke and he was ordered home. Dannatt was raised from Knight Commander to Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB) in the 2008–2009 New Year Honours List. His tenure as CGS expired in August 2008 and he was succeeded for the last time by Sir David Richards. The government took the unusual decision to extend the tenure of Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup as Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), rather than promote one of the outgoing service chiefs. Thus all three, including Dannatt, retired, amid claims that Dannatt's potential promotion to CDS had been personally vetoed by Prime Minister Gordon Brown. His last act as CGS was to nominate Nick Houghton to become the next Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff.

Honorary titles

Dannatt was appointed Colonel, The Green Howards, succeeding Field Marshal Peter Inge on 1 December 1994. He was in turn relieved by Brigadier John Powell in May 2003. Dannatt succeeded Sir Christopher Wallace as Deputy Colonel Commandant of the Adjutant General's Corps on 1 April 1999, holding the title until 17 June 2005, when he was relieved by Major General Bill Rollo. He was appointed Colonel Commandant of the King's Division, in succession to Sir Scott Grant, on 1 July 2001. He relinquished the title on 10 December 2005 to fellow Green Howard, Lieutenant General (later General Sir) Nick Houghton.

Between appointments in 2002, Dannatt spent six weeks at the School of Army Aviation at Army Air Corps Middle Wallop, where he was trained as a helicopter pilot in order to fulfil his duties as Colonel Commandant of the Army Air Corps (AAC), to which he was appointed on 1 April 2004, succeeding Michael Walker. Also in succession to Walker, he was appointed Aide de Camp General (ADC Gen) to Queen Elizabeth II on 5 June 2006. He was succeeded in his position with the AAC by Major General Adrian Bradshaw on 1 July 2009, and relinquished the appointment of ADC Gen on 1 September 2009.

Retirement

It was announced in February 2009 that, after his retirement, Dannatt would be installed as the 159th Constable of the Tower of London. The tenure of the previous incumbent, General Sir Roger Wheeler, also a former CGS, expired on 31 July and Dannatt became constable on 1 August 2009. The Constable has been the most senior official at the Tower of London since the eleventh century. Today, the role is largely ceremonial, and conferred on field marshals or retired generals who usually serve a five-year term.

After leaving office as CGS, Dannatt effectively retired from the Army, but technically remained a serving officer until November 2009. Shortly after leaving office, Dannatt was approached by David Cameron, then leader of the Conservative Party and Leader of the Opposition. Cameron invited Dannatt to become a defence advisor for the shadow cabinet once he was officially retired from the Army and no longer bound by Queen's Regulations, which mandate political neutrality in the armed forces. Although uncommon for a former service chief to align himself with one political party, Dannatt accepted the role on an informal basis. The timing of the decision, which became public in October 2009—within two months of Dannatt's effective retirement—attracted some controversy, with some former ministers and civil servants suggesting it potentially compromised the neutrality of the armed forces. He advised Cameron and his shadow cabinet until he resigned, shortly after the 2010 general election, stating that Cameron, by then prime minister, should turn to the incumbent chiefs of staff for defence advice and citing no desire to become a special adviser. He was nominated for a life peerage by David Cameron while Cameron was Leader of the Opposition. Although nominated for a political peerage on the Conservative Party benches, he opted to sit as a crossbencher and was ennobled in November 2010.

The Council of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), a politically independent think tank dedicated to defence and security issues, elected Dannatt as the Institute's Chairman in June 2009. He took up the appointment on 1 September 2009, but resigned in October the same year after the announcement that he was to become an advisor to David Cameron, believing that his resignation was necessary for RUSI to maintain its political neutrality. He was eventually succeeded by former Defence Secretary John Hutton, Baron Hutton of Furness.

Dannatt has written an autobiography, titled ''Leading from the Front'', published by Bantam Press in 2010. In the book, he was critical of the Labour government that led the UK from 1997 to 2010 and of Gordon Brown, Chancellor of the Exchequer and later prime minister, in particular, accusing him of "malign intervention" and, while chancellor, of refusing to fund Tony Blair's defence policy. He also criticised Tony Blair for allowing himself to be effectively overruled by Brown and said of Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, then CDS, that "although brilliant at what he did, [he] could not have been expected to understand the sights, sounds and smells of the battlefield". ''The Daily Telegraph'' called the book a "a searing indictment of how New Labour, and to some extent the military's high command, failed to properly lead, fund and equip the armed forces for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan".

In July 2010, Dannatt gave evidence to the Iraq Inquiry, focusing predominantly on his role as ACGS in 2002. He described an initial reluctance to commit the Army and stated that planning had been for a minimal land commitment and the provision of naval and air support to the United States. He also repeated his previous assertions that the army had been over-stretched by simultaneous operation in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2006 and re-stated his view that Afghanistan was the more important for British interests. Dannatt's evidence was followed by that of his predecessor as CGS, General Sir Mike Jackson.

Personal life

Dannatt met his wife, Philippa ("Pippa"; née Gurney) during his first year at Durham University in 1973. The couple became engaged, and married in March 1977, after which Pippa accompanied Dannatt on his return to Berlin. They had four children—three boys and one girl. Bertie, their eldest son, served with the Grenadier Guards—Pippa's father's regiment—in Iraq and Afghanistan, earning a mention in despatches and reaching the rank of captain before leaving the Army in 2008.

In 1977, then just 26, Dannatt suffered a major stroke, rendering him unable to speak and leaving the right-hand side of his body paralysed. He spent much of the subsequent two years recovering and was eventually allowed to return to duty, though he still tires more quickly on his right-hand side than on his left and has other minor residual effects. During his recovery, Dannatt, a devout Christian, was pointed to two Bible verses, which prompted him to believe that his commitment to his faith had thus far been "half-hearted" and inspired him to make a greater commitment which, according to his autobiography, "helped define who I [Dannatt] then became, both as a person and as a soldier". Dannatt later attributed surviving his stroke and several other near-death experiences—including the incident for which he was awarded the Military Cross—to a challenge from God to "devote his life to Christ".

Dannatt has been Vice President of the Armed Forces Christian Union since 1998 and President of the Soldiers' and Airmen's Scripture Readers Association since 1999. He was President of the Army Rifle Association from 2000 to 2008 and of the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association in 2008, presiding over that year's Royal Norfolk Show, attended by Prince Harry at Dannatt's invitation. He has served as a trustee of the Windsor Leadership Trust since 2005 and as patron of Hope and Homes for Children since 2006, and continues his patronage of Help for Heroes, which he assisted in founding while CGS. He lists his leisure interests as cricket, tennis, fishing and shooting.

References

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Category:1950 births Category:Living people Category:People from Chelmsford Category:English Anglicans Category:Evangelical Anglicans Category:Old Felstedians Category:Old Lawrentians Category:Alumni of Durham University Category:Sandhurst graduates Category:Green Howards officers Category:British Army generals Category:Commanders of the Order of the British Empire Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath Category:Recipients of the Military Cross Category:Recipients of the Commendation for Valuable Service Category:Witnesses of the Iraq Inquiry Category:People of The Troubles (Northern Ireland) Category:Chiefs of the General Staff (United Kingdom) Category:Crossbench life peers

de:Richard Dannatt es:Richard Dannatt ja:リチャード・ダナット no:Richard Dannatt sv:Richard Dannatt ur:رچرڈ ڈینٹ

name	Bam Margera
birth date	September 28, 1979
birth place	West Chester, Pennsylvania, U.S.
birth name	Brandon Cole Margera
residence	Castle Bam in Pocopson Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania
occupation	StuntmanDirectorActorSkateboarder
spouse	Melissa "Missy" Rothstein (2007–present)
years active	1998–present
website
profession	Skateboarder }}

Brandon Cole "Bam" Margera (pronounced ; born September 28, 1979) is an American professional skateboarder, television and radio personality, actor and daredevil. He released a series of videos under the CKY banner and came to prominence after being drafted into MTV's ''Jackass'' crew. He has since appeared in MTV's ''Viva La Bam'' and ''Bam's Unholy Union'', all three ''Jackass'' movies, and ''Haggard'' and ''Minghags'', both of which he co-wrote and directed.

Early life

Margera was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, to Phil and April Margera. He is the younger brother of Jess Margera and nephew of Vincent Margera. His grandfather nicknamed him "Bam" at the age of three after his habit of running into walls. He attended East High School and cites friend Chris Raab as his only reason for attending high school, and dropped out after Raab got expelled for smearing feces on a locker. He later received his GED at the insistence of his parents.

Television and film

Margera began shooting videos of himself and his friends skateboarding and doing stunts, which eventually turned into the CKY video series. He independently released ''CKY''. ''CKY2K'', ''CKY3'' and ''CKY4'' have also been released. CKY stands for "Camp Kill Yourself", a reference to the film ''Sleepaway Camp''. These early videos feature many of Margera's friends, including Ryan Dunn, Brandon DiCamillo, Rake Yohn, Chris Raab, Brandon Novak and others who form a loose collective known as the CKY Crew. CKY is also the name of a rock band featuring his brother Jess, and the history and relationship between the video and band projects is heavily interlinked.

Following the CKY success, former ''Big Brother'' editor Jeff Tremaine noticed Margera's videos and drafted him into the team which would eventually become MTV's ''Jackass''. Margera and Ryan Dunn became mainstays of the cast while other CKY crew members played supporting roles to various degrees. Margera went on to appear in ''Jackass: The Movie'', ''Jackass Number Two'', and ''Jackass 3D''. Several skits in the first ''Jackass'' movie were CKY style pieces filmed in and around West Chester, but similar scenes in the second movie were removed after the arrest of Margera's uncle Vincent Margera.

After ''Jackass'', Margera was given his own MTV series entitled ''Viva La Bam'', which ran for five seasons between 2003-2005. The show followed Margera and his crew as they performed various stunts and missions. The show was primarily filmed in West Chester, Pennsylvania but also visited New Orleans, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Brazil, Finland, Mexico, Amsterdam and Transylvania. In addition to the regular series, special episodes have included "Viva La Spring Break" and a "lost" episode included on the ''Viva La Bands'' CD.

Following the show, in 2007, Margera was engaged and the wedding was filmed for ''Bam's Unholy Union'' as a follow-up to ''Viva la Bam''. The show follows Margera, his then fiancée Melissa Rothstein and their friends in the lead-up to their wedding. Also in 2008, Margera had a "prominent, non-sex role in" a pornographic film by Gina Lynn called ''The Fantasstic Whores 4'' with Brandon Novak.

In 2009, Margera appeared on ''Nitro Circus''.

In October 2010, Margera appeared in ''Jackass 3D'' and the movie broke box office records. He visited Europe doing press for the movie in late October.

Margera appears with Dunn and pro-skateboarder Tim O'Connor on ''Bam's World Domination'', a half-hour Spike TV program that debuted on October 13, 2010. The first episode showcased Margera and his friends' attempt to conquer an obstacle course race, in the Tough Guy Competition, held outside London, England.

Skateboarding career

Since 2003, Margera has been a member of Team Element, the demonstration team for Element Skateboards. He is also sponsored by Speed Metal Bearings, Adio Footwear, and Fairman's Skateshop.

Independent films

Margera has written, produced and starred in three independent films. Margera co-wrote, directed and starred in ''Haggard'' (2003), an independent film based on real events in the life of his friend Ryan Dunn. Dunn played himself as the main character while Margera played "Valo", a character based on himself and elements of HIM singer and friend Ville Valo.

Margera also directed ''Minghags'', formerly titled ''Kiss a Good Man's Ass''. The film is a loose sequel to ''Haggard'' and will feature the "garbage juicer" invention from that film. This film was confirmed on Radio Bam and the front page of FilthyNote Records by Tim Glomb. Filming started April 5, 2007. On an episode of Radio Bam, Margera said that they are trying to make the movie PG-13 rated, but with the amount of swearing and a shot of nudity, an 'R' Rating could not be avoided. They had its first viewing of the rough version of the film on August 7, 2007, at Sikes Hall. The movie was released in December 2008. The film was a straight-to-DVD release.

Subsequently, Margera released a Christmas-themed movie entitled ''Bam Margera Presents: Where the#$&% Is Santa?'' in December 2008. The movie is about Bam and his friends going to the Arctic Circle in Finland on a quest to find Santa Claus. The film features Ville Valo from HIM, The Dudesons, Hanoi Rocks, Mark the Bagger, and more.

Radio Bam and music

Margera began a weekly Sirius Satellite Radio show on Sirius channel 28 Faction on November 24, 2004 called ''Radio Bam''. The show features Margera along with friends from the CKY and Jackass crews.

In 2005, Margera started a music label, Filthy Note Records, and has directed music videos for Clutch, Turbonegro, Viking Skull, Vains of Jenna and several for CKY. He also directed seven music videos, "Buried Alive By Love", "The Sacrament", "And Love Said No", and "Solitary Man",for the Finnish band HIM, and three for The 69 Eyes, "Lost Boys", "Dead Girls are Easy" and "Dead N Gone". He also plays the keyboard in a novelty band called Gnarkill along with Brandon DiCamillo, Jess Margera, Rich Vose and Matt Cole.

Other projects

Margera has been animated as a character in pro-skateboarder Tony Hawk's video games ''Pro Skaters'' ''3'' and ''4'', ''Underground'' and ''Underground 2'', ''American Wasteland'', ''Project 8'' and ''Proving Ground''. He also voiced a character in the video game ''Scarface: The World Is Yours''. He made cameo appearances in the movies ''Grind'' and ''Destroying America.''

In late September 2008, Margera opened a bar/theater called "The Note", in his hometown of West Chester, Pennsylvania.

In late 2009, Margera released a book containing private writings and pictures titled ''Serious as Dog Dirt''.

Personal life

Relationships

Margera was previously engaged to Jenn Rivell, a divorced single mother six years his senior. Rivell played a prominent part in several of his projects and the couple appeared to be co-habiting in various episodes of ''Viva La Bam''. However, the relationship ended in 2005. In November 2006, Margera filed for "Protection From Abuse" from Rivell after she allegedly broke into his house. He further alleged that Rivell had exhibited irrational and aggressive behavior towards him on several previous occasions including stealing several computers and vandalizing his house immediately after their initial breakup. The judge dismissed the allegations as "speculative" and "hearsay". Their break-up was attributed to rumors Margera had slept with pop star Jessica Simpson, which Margera initially denied before admitting they had been "intimate". Margera reasserted that nothing untoward had happened after he and Simpson met at an MTV Video Music Awards after-party in 2006.

In 2006, Margera became engaged to childhood friend Melissa "Missy" Rothstein. The events leading up to their wedding (with about 350 friends and family in attendance) on February 3, 2007, in downtown Philadelphia, were chronicled on the MTV series ''Bam's Unholy Union''. The couple's honeymoon was in Dubai. In 2008, during an appearance LA Ink, Bam told Kat Von D about $13,000 in damages done to the hotel for his marriage, saying " I was kind of ready for it though. I was like: 'I’m inviting the Jackass crew. If something doesn’t get broken then that’s not right'."

In July 2009, Margera was taken to the hospital by paramedics and state troopers from his West Chester home after his wife Missy called 911 after a four day alcohol binge. On the drinking binge, Margera said "I may get a divorce . . . booze helps." In October 2010, Margera told Howard Stern he and Missy were living in separate cities, they meet once a week and Missy knows about his girlfriend in San Francisco and another in West Chester.

Name, residence and assault

In an October 24, 2007 interview with the ''Cleveland Free Times'', Margera stated that although he had completed paperwork that would legally change his first name to Bam, he was "still debating" filing it after a conversation with his father.

Margera currently resides in "Castle Bam", a large house in Wawaset, Pennsylvania. The house has a gothic theme, a skatepark in the driveway and is situated on of land. In January 2007, Margera built a ramp in his backyard, near the old casino seen in ''Viva La Bam''. The ramp itself caused trouble with the township. Margera's parents and select members of the CKY Crew lived in the house while shooting ''Viva La Bam'', with Margera's uncle residing in a house on the property.

On Saturday, June 12, 2010, Margera was allegedly attacked with a baseball bat outside of his bar, The Note, in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Margera spent the night at Crozer-Chester Medical Center where he was treated for head injuries. According to Elizabeth Ray, the alleged assailant, Margera used "the n-word, with black in front of it". Ray denies attacking Margera. Margera, on the other hand, denies having said the words, claiming "I called her a crazy bitch and an idiot, but I definitely didn't use the n-word".

TV, film, and releases

TV

''Jackass'' (MTV, 2000–2002)

''Viva La Bam'' (MTV, 2003–2006)

''Bam's Unholy Union'' (MTV, 2007)

''Jackassworld.com: 24 Hour Takeover'' (MTV Special, 2008)

''Nitro Circus'' (MTV, Two episodes in 2009)

''Bam's World Domination'' (Spike, 2010)

Movies

''Jackass: The Movie'' (2002)

''Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle'' (2003)

''Grind'' (2003)

''Haggard'' (2003)

''Jackass Number Two'' (2006)

''The Dudesons Movie'' (2006)

''Jackass 2.5'' (2007)

''Bam Margera Presents: Where the ♯$&% Is Santa?'' (2008)

''The Fantasstic Whores 4'' (Gina Lynn Productions, 2008)

''Minghags'' (2009)

''Jackass 3D'' (2010)

''Dreamseller

DVDs/Videos

''CKY video series: CKY, CKY2K, CKY3 and CKY4''. (1999–2003)

''Hook-Ups Presents: Destroying America'' (2001)

Book

Bam Margera, ''Serious as Dog Dirt'' (MTV; November 17, 2009) ISBN 1439147736

References

External links

Bam Margera's skate video filmography.

Filthy Note Records Official website

Category:1979 births Category:American skateboarders Category:American stunt performers Category:CKY Category:Living people Category:Participants in American reality television series Category:People from Chester County, Pennsylvania

ca:Bam Margera cs:Bam Margera cy:Bam Margera da:Bam Margera de:Bam Margera et:Bam Margera es:Bam Margera fr:Bam Margera id:Bam Margera is:Bam Margera it:Bam Margera he:באם מרג'רה lt:Bam Margera nl:Bam Margera ja:バム・マージェラ no:Bam Margera pl:Bam Margera pt:Bam Margera ru:Марджера, Бэм simple:Bam Margera sk:Bam Margera sl:Bam Margera fi:Bam Margera sv:Bam Margera tr:Bam Margera

name	Ryan Dunn
birth name	Ryan Matthew Dunn
birth date	June 11, 1977
birth place	Medina, Ohio, U.S.
death date	June 20, 2011
death place	West Goshen Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, U.S.
occupation	Stunt performer, television personality, actor
yearsactive	1997–2011

Ryan Matthew Dunn (June 11, 1977 – June 20, 2011) was an American reality television personality and daredevil best known for being a member of the ''Jackass'' and ''Viva La Bam'' crew. He hosted ''Homewrecker'' and ''Proving Ground''. A member of the CKY Crew, Dunn played one of the main characters in Bam Margera's 2003 film ''Haggard: The Movie'', which was based on a failed relationship Dunn had experienced. He died at the age of 34 in an alcohol-related car crash in West Goshen Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Early years

Dunn was born in Medina, Ohio, the son of Linda and Ronald Dunn. He grew up in Williamsville, New York, before moving to West Chester, Pennsylvania, with his parents in his early teens. He first came to public attention while appearing in four videos alongside his friends in the CKY Crew.

Career

Dunn took part in the characteristic stunts that made ''Jackass'' famous. Arguably, Dunn's most infamous skit in ''Jackass: The Movie'' featured Dunn placing a toy car into his rectum. The car was placed inside a condom and was covered in lubricant. He then visited a doctor and complained of pain in his tailbone. An x-ray session revealed that a small car was lodged in his body bringing surprise to the doctor. Dunn was featured in ''Jackass Number Two''.

In 2006, Dunn and Bam Margera participated in the Gumball 3000 road rally in Margera's Lamborghini Gallardo. He later went on a tour with Don Vito called "The Dunn and Vito Rock Tour" for which the DVD was released on March 20, 2007. Dunn and Margera again participated in the rally in 2008.

Bam Margera stated during a December 2, 2008, radio interview with ''Big O and Dukes'' of 106.7 WJFK-FM, that he and Dunn would be going to Italy to film ''Where the F*%# are my Ancestors''. That same month, Dunn appeared on the episode "Smut" of ''Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'' in December 2008. He is also featured in a movie called ''Street Dreams'' which was released in spring 2009. He co-starred along with Rob Dyrdek and Paul Rodriguez Jr. Dunn was also featured on a show with fellow ''Jackass'' star Bam Margera about them traveling through Europe in a ''Viva la Bam''-like show called ''Bam's World Domination'' for Spike. He appeared in ''Jackass 3D'', which was released on October 15, 2010. Dunn co-hosted G4's ''Proving Ground'' along with Jessica Chobot, which made its premiere on June 14, 2011, six days before his death. However, according to a G4 spokesperson, the channel decided to not to hold postpone the airing of further episodes. The spokesperson added, "The show is off the schedule as of today until we discuss next steps." On June 27, G4 announced they would air the remaining episodes starting on July 19, 2011.

Death

On June 20, 2011, at around 3:30 a.m. EDT, Dunn and Zachary Hartwell, a production assistant on ''Jackass Number Two'', died when Dunn's Porsche 911 GT3 came off the road and hit a tree in West Goshen Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Hours before the accident, Dunn had posted a photo to his Twitter account of himself and Hartwell drinking at a West Chester bar. Dunn was identified in the police report as the vehicle's driver, and a subsequent toxicology report showed Dunn had a blood alcohol level of 0.196% — more than twice the state's legal limit of 0.08%. Police stated ''"...that speed may have been a contributing factor in the accident..."'' and preliminary investigations suggested that the car had been traveling between in a zone. Dunn flipped his car eight times in the same location 15 years ago in 1996, according to Bam Margera, who was a passenger at the time.

The Tuesday after Dunn's death, Bam Margera visited the crash site for the first time and broke down crying. The following day, Dunn's ''Jackass'' co-stars Johnny Knoxville and Bam Margera, along with Phil Margera, April Margera, Jeff Tremaine and Bam's wife Missy Margera attended a private memorial service held in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Dunn's remains were brought back to his home state of Ohio for burial.

Works

;Television

''Jackass'' (MTV, 2000–2002)

''Viva La Bam'' (MTV, 2003–2006)

''Homewrecker'' (MTV, 2005)

''Bam's Unholy Union'' (MTV, 2007)

''Jackassworld.com: 24 Hour Takeover'' (MTV Special, 2008)

''Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'' (NBC, 2008, One episode)

''Bam's World Domination'' (Spike, 2010)

''Proving Ground (TV series)'' (G4 TV, 2011)

''Minute to Win It'' (NBC, 2011)

;DVDs and videos

''Landspeed presents: CKY (1999)

''CKY2K (2000)

''CKY3'' (2001)

''CKY Documentary'' (2001)

''Don't Try This At Home - The Steve-O Video Vol. 1'' (2001)

''Don't Try This At Home - The Steve-O Video Vol. 2: The Tour'' (2002)

''CKY4: The Latest & Greatest'' (2002)

''Steve-O - Out On Bail'' (2003)

''Dunn & Vito's Rock Tour'' (2008)

;Films

''Jackass: The Movie'' (2002)

''Haggard: The Movie'' (2003)

''Jackass Number Two'' (2006)

''The Dudesons Movie'' (2006)

''3000 Miles'' (2007)

''Blonde Ambition'' (2007)

''Jackass 2.5'' (2007)

''Bam Margera Presents: Where the ♯$&% Is Santa?'' (2008)

''Minghags: The Movie'' (2009)

''Street Dreams'' (2009)

''Jackass 3D'' (2010)

''Living Will'' (filmed in 2010)

''Booted'' (2011)

''Close-Up'' (2011)

''Jackass 3.5'' (2011)

''Welcome to the Bates Motel'' (2012)

;Music

The Alter Boys - ''The Exotic Sounds of the Alter Boys'' (2005)

References

Dunn was also working on the film, "Welcome to the Bates Motel", which is slated for release in Spring 2012.

External links

Category:1977 births Category:2011 deaths Category:Alcohol-related deaths Category:Alcohol-related deaths in Pennsylvania Category:American stunt performers Category:American television personalities Category:CKY Category:People from Chester County, Pennsylvania Category:People from Medina County, Ohio Category:Pranksters Category:Road accident deaths in Pennsylvania

cs:Ryan Dunn da:Ryan Dunn de:Ryan Dunn es:Ryan Dunn fr:Ryan Dunn gl:Ryan Dunn is:Ryan Dunn it:Ryan Dunn hu:Ryan Dunn nl:Ryan Dunn no:Ryan Dunn pl:Ryan Dunn pt:Ryan Dunn ru:Данн, Райан fi:Ryan Dunn sv:Ryan Dunn

Name	Ted DiBiase
Names	Ted DiBiase
Height
Weight
Birth date	Theodore Marvin Wills, Sr.January 18, 1954
Birth place	Miami, Florida
Resides	Clinton, Mississippi
Billed	Omaha, NebraskaPalm Beach, Florida (Spring residence)Hyannis Port, Massachusetts (Summer residence)Bel Air, California (Autumn residence)Netherlands Antilles (Winter residence)
Trainer	Dory Funk, Jr.Terry Funk
Debut	June 1975
Retired	January 18, 1994

Theodore Marvin "Ted" DiBiase, Sr. (born January 18, 1954) is a retired professional wrestler, manager, ordained minister and color commentator. DiBiase achieved championship success in a number of wrestling promotions, holding thirty titles during his professional wrestling career. He is arguably best recalled by mainstream audiences for his time in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), where he wrestled as "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase.

Among other accolades in the WWF, DiBiase was a one-time (though unofficial) WWF Champion, the first WWF North American Heavyweight Champion, a three-time WWF Tag Team Champion (with Irwin R. Schyster) and the 1988 King of the Ring. DiBiase also created his own championship, the Million Dollar Championship. He was well-known for his cutting-edge heel promos, which were often concluded with his trademark evil laugh; DiBiase has been described by WWE as the organization's "most despised villain" during the late 1980s. He held the WWF Championship belt in 1988 after purchasing it from André the Giant, but this period is not recognized by WWE as an official title reign. Nonetheless, DiBiase frequently performed in main event matches and has been cited as one of the finest in-ring technicians in history.

DiBiase was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2010 by his sons, Ted and Brett.

Early life

DiBiase is the biological son of wrestler Helen Nevins and Ted Wills, an entertainer and singer. Ted is the adopted son of wrestler "Iron" Mike DiBiase who was Italian. Ted DiBiase is of mostly German and English ancestry. His adoptive father died of a heart attack in the ring when Ted was just 15. Seven-time NWA world champion Harley Race rushed to the ring and performed CPR but was unable to save Mike DiBiase's life. In response, his mother suffered from depression and alcoholism, so Ted was moved to Willcox, Arizona to live with his grandparents. He attended Creighton Preparatory high school and attended West Texas State University on a football scholarship. While there he became a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. However, he later dropped out of college to begin a career in professional wrestling.

Professional wrestling career

Mid-South Wrestling (1975–1979)

Ted DiBiase was trained by Dory Funk, Jr. and Terry Funk. He made his professional wrestling debut in June 1974 in the Amarillo territory owned by the Funks. He then went to the Mid-South territory in 1975 where he wrestled for four years.

World Wrestling Federation (1979)

DiBiase had a short stint with Vince McMahon, Sr.'s World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1979. He was awarded the short-lived North American Championship, becoming the title's first champion. On June 19, 1979, he lost the North American Championship to Pat Patterson, who unified the title with the fictional "South American Championship" to become the first ever Intercontinental Champion.

He was Hulk Hogan's first opponent in Hogan's first Madison Square Garden match.

NWA and Mid-South Wrestling (1980–1987)

DiBiase also spent time in the Georgia area where he had an early face run frequently tagging with Tommy "Wildfire" Rich. The two then feuded, leading to a loser leaves town match which DiBiase won, but instead of Rich leaving the area, he donned a mask calling himself "Mister R." The feud culminated in a match between Mister R and DiBiase, Tommy Rich appeared from backstage and distracted DiBiase. Mister R then rolled up DiBiase to get the win and unmasked as Brad Armstrong. Both DiBiase and Rich left the territory shortly thereafter.

In the early to mid-1980s, DiBiase participated in angles in various territories with the likes of Dick Murdoch, Ric Flair, the Fabulous Freebirds, Jim Duggan, One Man Gang, and Junkyard Dog. He also held various championships and made frequent trips to All Japan Pro Wrestling until his eventual departure from Mid-South Wrestling (which by this point was now the UWF). Typically, his matches ended with the use of a "loaded" black glove, which he pulled from his tights to "knock out" his opponent when the referee was not looking.

While locked in talks with the National Wrestling Alliance in 1987 after the UWF was acquired by Jim Crockett, DiBiase received an offer from the WWF. DiBiase was eventually convinced by WWF to sign up despite the fact that he would not be told his gimmick until after he agreed, under the promise that it was something that would receive a serious push. WWF official Pat Patterson informed DiBiase that if owner Vince McMahon were to go out to wrestle, it would be the gimmick that he would give himself.

Part of his stint in Mid-South wrestling was a heel group called "The Rat Pack" which consisted of DiBiase, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, and Matt Borne.

All Japan Pro Wrestling (1983-1987, 1993)

Dibiase entered All Japan Pro Wrestling in 1983. He won the NWA United National Championship on October 14, 1983 in a tournament defeating Jerry Lawler by forfeit. Two months later on January 28, 1984, Dibiase lost the title to Michael Hayes.

In August 1985, Dibiase formed a tag team with fellow gaijin: Stan Hansen and the two became the PWF Tag Team Champions when Hansen chose Dibiase to replace Bruiser Brody who left for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Later that year, Dibiase and Hansen entered the 1985 World's Strongest Tag League and would emerge victorious finishing in first place with 7 points.

On July 3, 1987, Dibiase and Hansen would lose the PWF Tag Team Championship to Jumbo Tsuruta and Tiger Mask, ending their two year reign as champions. Eight days on July 11, Dibiase and Hansen regain the titles for a second time but would be stripped of the titles shortly after due to Dibiase leaving All Japan for the WWF.

In September 1993, Dibiase returned to All Japan and reformed his team with Hansen. The two immediately saw success as they defeated The Holy Demon Army on September 3, 1993 for the AJPW Unified World Tag Team Championship. Two months later on November 13, 1993, Dibiase and Hansen would be stripped of the titles so they could be put on the line for the 1993 World's Strongest Tag League. Dibiase would enter the tournament but would only wrestle one match on November 14 where he and Hansen defeated Tracey Smothers and Richard Slinger before he suffered neck and back injuries which forced him out of the tournament (Giant Baba ended up replacing him).

Return to the WWF (1987–1996)

The Million Dollar Man

In the WWF, DiBiase was known as "The Million Dollar Man", a millionaire who wore a gold-studded, dollar-sign-covered suit and, in time, a custom-made, diamond-encrusted and self-awarded "Million Dollar Championship Belt". The Million Dollar Man character was based on the type of wrestler that Vince McMahon would want to be. DiBiase had a bodyguard by the name of Virgil, that was also by his side during matches, and all of his vignettes. The idea for the name Virgil was based on then-NWA booker Dusty Rhodes, whose real name is Virgil Runnels. The name of DiBiase's finishing move, the Million Dollar Dream (in which someone is put to sleep), was also meant to be an insult to Dusty Rhodes, who was named the American Dream.

Virgil was often seen performing humiliating tasks, such as rubbing DiBiase's feet. DiBiase claimed "Everybody has a price" demonstrating his "power" through a series of vignettes in which he did things such as bribe the manager of a local swimming pool to close for the day so he could have the pool to himself. Other skits featured DiBiase traveling in limousines, giving $100 tips to waiters, and using $100 bills in convenience stores for small purchases like chewing gum. In reality, DiBiase's road travel was deliberately booked for first-class airplane flights and five-star hotel accommodations, and he was given a stipend of petty cash from the WWF Offices so that he could throw money around in public (i.e. pick up tabs and overtip, buy drinks for entire bars, actually pay for small items with a $100 bill, etc.) in order to make the character seem more real. Other times, DiBiase invited fans (including a young Rob Van Dam) to perform humiliating acts (such as kissing his feet) for money. During one skit, he invited a young boy onto a stage and told him if he bounced a ball 15 times in succession, DiBiase would pay him $500. After the 14th bounce, DiBiase kicked the ball away, sending the boy home without pay. (Though, according to his autobiography, everybody who wasn't paid on-camera ''was'' paid off-camera.) He frequently stuffed a $100 bill into the mouth of a wrestler on whom he had used the Million Dollar Dream move.

His first big in-ring angle came in late 1987 on an episode of ''Superstars of Wrestling'', where he announced his plan to buy the WWF Championship from Hulk Hogan. Hogan refused and said that DiBiase would have to defeat him in the ring for the belt. Hogan got the upper hand in a series of matches, and a frustrated DiBiase approached André the Giant to win the belt for him. On the February 5, 1988 edition of ''The Main Event'' (which aired live on NBC), André defeated Hogan under questionable circumstances for the WWF Championship. Referee Dave Hebner was detained backstage and replaced with a referee DiBiase paid to have plastic surgery (actually Dave's twin brother Earl). He counted the pin for André despite the fact that Hogan's shoulder was up at the count of one; André then announced he was surrendering the belt and handed it to DiBiase. The WWF refused to acknowledge DiBiase as the champion (since titles could not be handed to someone else) and declared the title vacant. André's world title win was always recognized though, and is still considered the shortest world title reign in WWF history(Until Yokozuna's first reign at Wrestlemania 9, when he won the title from Bret Hart only to challenge and lose the title to Hulk Hogan moments later). This angle was an amplification of an angle in the old Georgia Championship Wrestling, when Larry Zbyszko paid Killer Tim Brooks $25,000 for his NWA National Heavyweight Championship in 1983.

A tournament was announced to crown a new WWF Champion. At WrestleMania IV, DiBiase defeated Hacksaw Jim Duggan in the first round and Don Muraco in the quarterfinal before receiving a bye in the semi-finals to advance to the finals of the tournament. DiBiase was defeated by "Macho Man" Randy Savage in the finals. After repeated interference by André the Giant, Hulk Hogan got involved to even the odds. DiBiase continued to feud with Savage throughout the summer of 1988, culminating in a tag team match pitting DiBiase and André the Giant vs. Hogan and Savage at the inaugural SummerSlam (in a match billed as "Where The Mega Powers Meet The Mega Bucks"). Although pro-heel commentator Jesse "The Body" Ventura served as the guest referee, Hogan pinned DiBiase to win the match. DiBiase then defeated Brutus Beefcake, Ken Patera, Ron Bass, and Randy Savage to win the 1988 King of the Ring tournament, receiving his first WWF success.

Bobby Heenan sold Hercules' contract to Ted DiBiase for his services as his personal slave. DiBiase claimed that Hercules was his slave but started feuding with him after Hercules turned face. He eliminated Hercules from the main event at Survivor Series.

At the Royal Rumble in 1989, DiBiase purchased the #30 entrance spot from Akeem to become the final entrant in the match. Big John Studd and DiBiase were the final two participants in the match. DiBiase offered Studd a bribe to eliminate himself, but Studd eliminated him to win the match. DiBiase continued to feud with Hercules; the two had a series of matches including a match that DiBiase won on the February 3 edition of ''The Main Event''. He defeated The Blue Blazer on the March 11 edition of ''Saturday Night's Main Event''. After that match, he introduced the WWF Million Dollar Championship, his own championship belt which was not recognized by the WWF. He created this belt because he was unable to buy or win the WWF Championship from Hulk Hogan.

DiBiase fought Brutus Beefcake to a double-countout at WrestleMania V. DiBiase's next big feud was with Jake "The Snake" Roberts. A few weeks after WrestleMania, DiBiase attacked Roberts on ''WWF Superstars of Wrestling'' after Roberts defeated Virgil in a match. DiBiase put Roberts out of action for several months with a neck injury. While Roberts recuperated, DiBiase defeated Jimmy "The Superfly" Snuka at SummerSlam by countout. On the October 14 edition of ''Saturday Night's Main Event'', DiBiase faced Hulk Hogan in a match for the WWF Championship where DiBiase had the monster Zeus by his side. DiBiase lost the match when he accidentally hit Zeus and was pinned by Hogan with a small package. At Survivor Series, DiBiase captained a team dubbed the "Million Dollar Team" consisting of himself, the Powers of Pain (Warlord and Barbarian), and Zeus against Hogan's "Hulkamaniacs" consisting of Hogan, Jake Roberts, and Demolition (Ax and Smash). DiBiase eliminated Roberts after pinning him with help from Virgil before being pinned himself by Hogan.

In 1990, he broke the record at the time by lasting 45 minutes in the Royal Rumble match after entering as the #1 entrant (rather than #30 like the previous year). He eliminated two opponents before he was eliminated by The Ultimate Warrior. He then continued his feud with Jake Roberts, who stole the Million Dollar Belt, leading to a match at WrestleMania VI where Roberts was counted out. Shortly after WrestleMania, he had a brief feud with Big Bossman which dated back to when DiBiase tried to bribe Bossman into retrieving the Million Dollar Belt. Bossman refused DiBiase's bribe and returned the Million Dollar Belt to Roberts. At SummerSlam, DiBiase bought the services of Sapphire, who was the manager of Dusty Rhodes at the time. This led to Rhodes and DiBiase feuding throughout the end of 1990 into the beginning of 1991. On the October 30 edition of ''Saturday Night's Main Event'', he attacked Dusty's son Dustin Rhodes during Dusty's match with Randy Savage. DiBiase and Dusty captained rival teams at Survivor Series, with DiBiase's mystery partner turning out to be the debuting Undertaker. DiBiase wound up eliminating both members of The Hart Foundation and was the sole survivor of the match. He, however, was eliminated in the main event by Hogan. At the Royal Rumble, Ted DiBiase and Virgil defeated Dusty and Dustin Rhodes in a tag team match. After the match, DiBiase ordered Virgil to put the Million Dollar Championship belt around his waist. Virgil instead hit DiBiase with the belt, turning face. At WrestleMania VII, DiBiase lost by countout to Virgil, who had help from 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper. Sensational Sherri, who earlier in the night had turned on a losing Randy Savage, came down midway through the match to help DiBiase and became his full-time valet. On the April 27 edition of ''Saturday Night's Main Event'', DiBiase fought Bret Hart to a double countout.

DiBiase lost the Million Dollar Championship to Virgil at SummerSlam when Virgil smashed his head into an exposed turnbuckle and pinned him to get the victory. DiBiase participated in the King of the Ring tournament drawing with Ricky Steamboat in the first round. DiBiase regained the Million Dollar Championship from Virgil with help from Repo Man on the November 11 edition of ''Prime Time Wrestling'' which was dubbed "Survivor Series Showdown". At Survivor Series, he was one of the contestants eliminated from his match. At This Tuesday in Texas, DiBiase and Repo Man defeated Virgil and Tito Santana.

Money Inc.

Ted DiBiase officially formed the tag team, Money Incorporated, with Irwin R. Schyster (IRS). The duo, mostly managed by Jimmy Hart, won the WWF Tag Team Championship three times between February 1992 and June 1993. Their first reign came on February 7, 1992 when they defeated The Legion of Doom for the titles. Money Incorporated then feuded with The Natural Disasters (Earthquake and Typhoon). They defended the title against the Natural Disasters at WrestleMania VIII and lost the match by countout, thus retaining the title. On July 20, they lost the title to the Natural Disasters.

After losing a match to the Legion of Doom at SummerSlam, DiBiase and IRS regained the belts on the October 13 edition of ''Wrestling Challenge'' from the Natural Disasters. This title change led to a feud with The Nasty Boys, who were originally scheduled for the title shot. On the November 8 edition of ''Saturday Night's Main Event'', they defended their titles against the Ultimate Maniacs (Ultimate Warrior and Randy Savage). DiBiase and IRS lost the match by countout and thus retained the titles once more.

Ted DiBiase participated in the Royal Rumble match, entering at #4 before eventually being eliminated by The Undertaker. Shortly after, DiBiase and IRS became involved in a major angle with the returning Brutus Beefcake. DiBiase faced Beefcake on one of the first episodes of ''Monday Night Raw''. DiBiase and IRS attacked Beefcake after the match and slammed his face (which had been surgically repaired following a windsailing accident) with a briefcase. Money Inc. also attacked their manager Jimmy Hart, who was disgusted by their actions. Beefcake's best friend Hulk Hogan came to Beefcake's defense and challenged Money Inc. to a tag team title match at WrestleMania IX. DiBiase and IRS retained their titles by disqualification after Hogan used Beefcake's protective face mask as a weapon.

Money Inc. dominated the tag team division of the WWF. They feuded with the Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott) and had a series of title exchanges. DiBiase and IRS were defeated by the Steiners for the WWF Tag Team Championship on the June 14 edition of ''Monday Night Raw''. They would regain the titles on June 16 at a live event but lost them back to the Steiners three days later on June 19 at another live event. DiBiase last wrestled for the WWF in August, bowing out following an angle which saw Razor Ramon turn face and 1-2-3 Kid debut. The Kid had scored an upset pinfall against a cocky Ramon, causing DiBiase to mock Ramon and tell him he would show him how it was done. He then went on to also lose to the Kid, giving Razor a newfound respect for the Kid thus turning Razor face. This included a match at SummerSlam between DiBiase and Ramon which DiBiase lost. After a few months in Japan, he quietly announced his retirement due to accumulated injuries and returned to the USA.

Million Dollar Corporation

DiBiase returned to the WWF at the Royal Rumble as a guest commentator. DiBiase then began working as a commentator and manager for the WWF. Later in 1994, DiBiase purchased the contracts of many wrestlers for his Million Dollar Corporation stable in the WWF, which over time included I.R.S., Bam Bam Bigelow, Nikolai Volkoff, Kama, King Kong Bundy, Sycho Sid, 1-2-3 Kid, and in a swerve, Tatanka. DiBiase also renewed his connection with the Undertaker after the latter's six-month hiatus after the January Royal Rumble. Saying that he had originally brought the Undertaker to the WWF, and he was going to bring him back, DiBiase debuted a new Undertaker under his control. This Undertaker however proved to be an impostor played by Brian Lee, and was subsequently defeated by the real Undertaker at SummerSlam.

DiBiase also had a place in the main event of WrestleMania XI as the manager of Bam Bam Bigelow in his match versus Lawrence Taylor. Surrounding the ring were members of DiBiase's corporation to offset Taylor's entourage of NFL All-Pros on the opposite side. After Taylor defeated Bigelow, DiBiase publicly referred to Bigelow as an embarrassment. This culminated in Bigelow quitting The Corporation after DiBiase fired him following a loss to Diesel in a WWF Championship match. Bigelow aligned himself with Diesel in a feud versus members of DiBiase's corporation.

As a manager, DiBiase also later introduced "The Ringmaster", who eventually became Stone Cold Steve Austin, to the WWF in December 1995. Austin became the Million Dollar Champion and began wearing DiBiase's gold belt that was introduced in 1989. DiBiase's last appearance with the company was at In Your House: Beware of Dog in 1996, where he was kayfabe forced to leave the WWF after Steve Austin lost to Savio Vega. In reality, he left for rival promotion World Championship Wrestling.

World Championship Wrestling (1996–1999)

In WCW, DiBiase became the fourth member of the nWo (along with Scott Hall, Kevin Nash and former enemy Hollywood Hogan) on August 26, 1996, one month after their formation in July 1996. He claimed to be financing the group (thus playing on his "Million Dollar Man" gimmick that WCW could not legally use outright). In an ingenious move, he was referred to, instead, as "Trillionaire Ted", a play on "Billionaire Ted", the WWF-given nickname of Ted Turner.

DiBiase quit the NWO shortly after Spring Stampede.

Less than a year later, on the August 4, 1997, episode of ''Nitro'', he made a face turn, managing The Steiner Brothers, He made a error during the interview almost calling WCW "The World Wrestling Federation."

DiBiase managed The Steiners until Scott turned heel and joined the NWO.

DiBiase also managed one-time WWF rival Ray Traylor for a while until he stopped managing altogether. DiBiase then became a road agent for the company and left entirely when his contract expired in late 1999.

Retirement from active wrestling

In April 2005, DiBiase was hired as a creative consultant and road agent for the SmackDown! brand of World Wrestling Entertainment. On October 3, 2005, at ''WWE Homecoming'', DiBiase appeared with other WWE legends in a ceremony. He eventually led the attack on Rob Conway, who had come down to the ring to insult the legends.

DiBiase inducted his former manager Sensational Sherri into the WWE Hall of Fame on April 1, 2006 and made an appearance at WrestleMania 22, offering Eugene $1000 to dribble a basketball 100 times backstage and kicked the ball away at the last second. DiBiase also appeared on ''Raw'' on April 17 behind a newspaper doing his famous evil laugh as the camera went off air. DiBiase made an appearance at an IPW show in Newton, Iowa on July 14, 2006, where he watched his sons' tag team match. The following day, he accepted the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame induction for his father, Mike, at the International Wrestling Institute and Museum. He also appeared at the ''Raw Family Reunion'' on October 9, 2006 aiding Ric Flair in his match with the Spirit Squad. On October 26, 2006, Ted DiBiase was released from his WWE contract.

DiBiase made his first in ring appearance in over five years at the ''Raw 15th Anniversary Special'' on December 10, 2007, by winning a 15-man battle royal, in which he was not even an active participant. Irwin R. Schyster, DiBiase's former tag team partner of Money Incorporated, had won the battle royal. DiBiase came down to ringside and offered Schyster a bribe to eliminate himself. Schyster accepted and hopped over the top rope, making DiBiase the victor. DiBiase then declared that even after fifteen years, everyone still had a price for the "Million Dollar Man."

On the May 19, 2008 edition of ''Raw'', he was seen alongside Mr. McMahon about to "discuss business", in William Regal's office. On the following ''Raw'', DiBiase introduced his son Ted DiBiase, Jr. to WWE as its newest member.

Christian ministry and wrestling

DiBiase is now a Christian minister. In 1999, he founded ''Heart of David Ministry''. Ted is also the author of ''Every Man Has His Price'', a part- autobiography and part-Christian testimony.

Part-time wrestling appearances and Hall of Fame (2009-present)

thumb|left|200px|DiBiase making an appearence at a local indy show on August 20, 2011.On the June 29 episode of ''Raw'', Ted DiBiase, Jr announced in a segment with Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton that DiBiase would appear on ''Raw'' the following week as the special guest host, and DiBiase appeared as scheduled on July 6. On the show, DiBiase booked his son to face Randy Orton. After DiBiase Jr. lost the match, he accused his father of setting him up and trying to steal his time, even slapping his father across the face. DiBiase would later come out at the end of the show and sanctioned a triple threat match for Randy Orton's WWE Championship at Night of Champions including John Cena and Triple H in his final act as the guest host. He is also a playable character in WWE Legends of WrestleMania and an unlockable superstar in WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010. DiBiase was announced as the first inductee of the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2010 on February 8, 2010 during an episode of ''Raw''. DiBiase appeared again on the November 2 edition of ''WWE NXT'', where he was the minister for Aksana and Goldust's wedding. On February 21, 2011, it was announced DiBiase would induct Jim Duggan into the Hall of Fame.

DiBiase is making various appearences for indy shows across the country, including Pro Wrestling Syndicate and Northeast Wrestling.

Books

DiBiase, Ted. ''Every Man Has His Price''. Multnomah Publishers. 1997. ISBN 1-57673-175-8

DiBiase, Ted. ''The Million Dollar Man''. Pocket Books. 2008. ISBN 978-1-4165-5890-3

Penholder Ted DiBiase (Fore-wording Author), William J. Bruce III (Author) ISBN 978-0-9813-1831-8

Documentaries

''Wrestling with Faith'' is a documentary film about Ted DiBiase. It went into production in February 2010.

''The Price of Fame'' is a documentary film about Ted DiBiase's redemption and faith. It will be released in 2011. It will also feature Scott Hall and Sean Waltman.

Personal life

All three of his sons Mike (from his first marriage) Ted Jr. and Brett (from his current marriage) are professional wrestlers, with Ted Jr. currently wrestling for World Wrestling Entertainment's ''Smackdown'' roster. He went to West Texas State University, where he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega.

DiBiase, appeared in Christian Living Magazine in the July/Aug 2008 edition where he stated: “God had allowed me to climb to the top — my life was made into action figures; I wrestled in front of 80,000 people. Yet, I was still not satisfied. I was trying to fill this void in my life, like so many others have done in the entertainment world. But the thing that’s almost unbelievable about God is His grace and mercy. We fail all the time, but there’s no shame in failing—only in not getting up and keeping on.”

On May 14, 2009 Ted appeared in MuscleSport Magazine where his ministerial booking agent and publicist William J. Bruce III commented saying, "I have had the privilege of getting to know Ted over the last couple of years as his booking agent and publicist though Willowcreek Marketing. I will never forget a comment that I once heard him relate about the difference of knowing God or knowing about God; “a lot of people remember my last match, they can remember what I wore, what moves I made and who won, they know everything about me, but they don’t know me. In many ways that is how we as Christians are, we know everything about God…but we don’t know Him.”

In wrestling

Finishing moves

Diving back elbow drop

Figure four leglock

''Million Dollar Dream'' (Cobra clutch)

Signature moves

Backbreaker

Back elbow smash

Delayed falling fist drop

Elbow drop

Jumping stomp to face

*Multiple suplex variations:

*Belly to back

*Gutwrench

*Vertical

Piledriver

Scoop powerslam

Sleeper hold

Spinning toe hold

Standing clothesline

Managers

Jimmy Hart

*Sensational Sherri

*Virgil / Vincent

Wrestlers managed

*André the Giant

*Virgil / Vincent

*Irwin R. Schyster / V.K.Wallstreet

*Tatanka

*King Kong Bundy

*Nikolai Volkoff

*Chris Benoit

*1-2-3 Kid / Syxx

*The Ringmaster / Stone Cold Steve Austin

*Ray Traylor

*Ted DiBiase, Jr.

Teams and stables managed

*Million Dollar Corporation (Irwin R. Schyster, Nikolai Volkoff, Ted DiBiase's Undertaker, Tatanka, Bam Bam Bigelow, Kama, King Kong Bundy, Sycho Sid, 1-2-3 Kid, Xanta Klaus)

*nWo (Hollywood Hogan, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, The Giant, nWo Sting, Syxx, Vincent, V.K.Wallstreet)

*The Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott Steiner)

Nicknames

"The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase

*"Trillionaire Ted" (WCW)

*"Do Aw Haw Haw"

Championships and accomplishments

All Japan Pro Wrestling

AJPW Unified World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Stan Hansen

NWA United National Championship (1 time)

PWF World Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Stan Hansen

*World's Strongest Tag Team League (1985) – with Stan Hansen

Central States Wrestling

NWA Central States Heavyweight Championship (2 times)

Georgia Championship Wrestling

NWA National Heavyweight Championship (2 times)

NWA National Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Stan Frazier (1), and Steve Olsonski (1)

NWA Tri-State / Mid-South Wrestling Association

Mid-South North American Heavyweight Championship (4 times)

Mid-South Tag Team Championship (4 times) – with Matt Borne (1), Jerry Stubbs (1), Hercules Hernandez (1), and Steve Williams (1)

NWA North American Heavyweight Championship ''(Tri-State version)'' (1 time)

NWA United States Tag Team Championship ''(Tri-State version)'' (1 time) – with Dick Murdoch

NWA Western States Sports

NWA Western States Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Tito Santana

Pro Wrestling Illustrated

*PWI Most Hated Wrestler of the Year (1982)

*PWI ranked him #17 of the top 500 singles wrestlers of the year in the PWI 500 in 1991

PWI ranked him #32 of the top 500 singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003

PWI ranked him #20 of the Top 100 Tag Teams of the "PWI Years" with Steve Williams in 2003

Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame

*Class of 2007

St. Louis Wrestling Club

NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship (2 times)

Texas All-Star Wrestling

TASW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment

*WWF Championship (1 time)¹

WWF North American Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

WWF World Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Irwin R. Schyster

*Million Dollar Championship (2 times)²

King of the Ring (1988)

*Slammy Award for Humanitarian of the Year (1987)

*WWE Hall Of Fame (Class of 2010)

Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards

*Best Gimmick (1987)

*Best Heel (1987, 1988)

*Best Technical Wrestler (1981)

*Feud of the Year (1982) vs. Junkyard Dog

*Feud of the Year (1985) vs. Jim Duggan

*Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 1996)

1 Ted DiBiase is not recognized as a WWE Champion because Andre The Giant surrendered the WWE Championship to Ted DiBiase but the title was instantly vacated by Jack Tunney and the championship reign is not counted as an official championship reign.

2 The Million Dollar Championship isn't an official championship recognized by World Wrestling Entertainment. It is a championship created entirely for the promotion and storyline of Ted DiBiase's "Million Dollar Man" character.

See also

References

External links

HeartOfDavidMinistry.com (Official Ministry Website)

TedDiBiase.com

Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame Profile

WWE Hall of Fame Profile

Category:1954 births Category:Adoptees adopted by relations Category:American professional wrestlers Category:American professional wrestlers of English descent Category:American professional wrestlers of German descent Category:American Protestants Category:Living people Category:Sportspeople from Nebraska Category:Professional wrestling announcers Category:Professional wrestling executives Category:Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame Category:Professional wrestling managers and valets Category:Professional wrestling trainers Category:WWE Hall of Fame

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