What a wonderful interview with my father. I just happened across this site and was delighted to see him again, even if only on a video. This interview truly captures him and his story. Thank you for sharing this. Paula (Thomas) Pillow
Saw your father at Sunnyside Garden Arena in the late '50s/early '60s when I was in the Cub Scouts. A charismatic, dynamic performer. The fans went bananas. Remember nothing else about that evening, but I will always remember Sailor Art.
Paula, I knew your father when I was a young kid when he was wrestling in Toronto for Frank Tunney. He became a family friend during his time in the city.
your father , is why I got interested in wrestling... the nwa champion in 63-64 was lou thesz...from st. Louis...I big fan of him.... I saw a wrestling story of your father and thesz, in I think Houston tx... where your father broke one of thesz 's ribs...I will never forget that match... sam muchnick , .the nwa president, allways had him, on his st. Louis card...love your father...merry Christmas to your family
I met Sailor Art Thomas in Austin, Texas in 63 or64. After his match I was like 14, he shook hands with me and some friends. He looked like a giant. Arms bigger than my legs. Yet he would joke and be gentle as we talked. It was honor to meet such a well known wrestler. He was one of my first real life heroes. Just glad we didn't make him mad. He was also one of the first famous Black Men I ever met. It helped change a stereo type image that I had innocently developed. My God Bless him & his family.
thank you so very much, for this amazing video... I remember in I think wrestling revue magazine... a story where lou thesz vs art Thomas, and art broke lou's ribs with a bear hug, in texas...in 1963, or 64....
What a wonderful interview with my father. I just happened across this site and was delighted to see him again, even if only on a video. This interview truly captures him and his story. Thank you for sharing this. Paula (Thomas) Pillow
Saw your father at Sunnyside Garden Arena in the late '50s/early '60s when I was in the Cub Scouts. A charismatic, dynamic performer. The fans went bananas. Remember nothing else about that evening, but I will always remember Sailor Art.
Your father was A favorite of my father's. He said nobody got fired up like your father when he'd make a comeback yell
Paula, I knew your father when I was a young kid when he was wrestling in Toronto for Frank Tunney. He became a family friend during his time in the city.
your father , is why I got interested in wrestling... the nwa champion in 63-64 was lou thesz...from st. Louis...I big fan of him.... I saw a wrestling story of your father and thesz, in I think Houston tx... where your father broke one of thesz 's ribs...I will never forget that match... sam muchnick , .the nwa president, allways had him, on his st. Louis card...love your father...merry Christmas to your family
He seemed like such a nice man with a smile on his face always👍
I met Sailor Art Thomas in Austin, Texas in 63 or64. After his match I was like 14, he shook hands with me and some friends. He looked like a giant. Arms bigger than my legs. Yet he would joke and be gentle as we talked. It was honor to meet such a well known wrestler. He was one of my first real life heroes. Just glad we didn't make him mad. He was also one of the first famous Black Men I ever met. It helped change a stereo type image that I had innocently developed.
My God Bless him & his family.
Great story and glad from an early age you shook that stereotype. Yell
RasslinRelics it was my pleasure to share this story. He was a great man and beloved by many. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
My favorite wrestler when I was a kid.
RIP ART THOMAS!
Refreshing to see a wrestling great be such a gentleman. TH-cam makes it possible to go back in time and see these guys put on a fantastic show.
Remember him well in CWF. Had great feuds with Seji Sakaguchi and Johnny Valentine
Incredible physique! Sure seemed to be a true gentleman!
Thomas was a family friend when I was a kid in the years that he wrestled in Toronto. He was a great man. Thanks for sharing.
One of the most unselfish people I have ever known. He was a grandparent, dad to all.
Joel Dyer
Loved watching him on Canadian television on Saturday night.
True legend!!!
Class act. Great ambassador for professional wrestling.
Art Thomas, one of the hottest and greatest wrestlers of ALL TIME.
Does anybody know if Sailor Art Thomas won the world heavyweight championship
My father commuted to Oscar Mayer with Art for years.
thank you so very much, for this amazing video... I remember in I think wrestling revue magazine... a story where lou thesz vs art Thomas, and art broke lou's ribs with a bear hug, in texas...in 1963, or 64....
i have plenty of programs with sailor against the tops in the game, and when he teamed up with sweet daddy siki
Dave Meltzer brought me here!
Thanks Debra for sharing such great memories. His kids live in Madison and I'm sure they appreciate your kind words.