Robert Bruce (wrestler)
Encyclopedia
Robert Bruce born John Charles Young, was a Scottish
-born professional wrestler
and talent agent
in Auckland
, New Zealand
.
, near Edinburgh
in Scotland
. He was born John Charles Young, but adopted the stage name of Robert the Bruce, later shortened to Robert Bruce, and kept the name when he quit wrestling. In the ring he played the quintessential villain who prefaced every low blow with an evil smirk, once saying "Honestly, it's better being a bad guy. I suppose it's the underlying evil you may have. You get a lot more fun."
He began wrestling in London
in 1967, and toured the United Kingdom, South Africa, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, eventually settling in New Zealand in the 1970s after wrestling John da Silva
there for the Commonwealth championship in 1972. He held the Commonwealth Heavyweight Title on and off over a five year period, and wrestled for the World Title. In 1972, he had a small role as one of the bouncers in the Korova Milk Bar
in the film A Clockwork Orange
.
Bruce retired from wrestling due to injuries to his back and elbows, and decided to form a talent agency in 1978 when he realised that there was no such company in New Zealand. The Robert Bruce Agency was nicknamed the "Ugly Bruce" agency, as Bruce claimed his first clients were his former wrestling friends seeking roles as ugly people, thugs or stuntmen. His later clients included well-known New Zealand actors such as Cliff Curtis
, the late Kevin Smith, Robbie Magasiva
, Frankie Stevens
, Jackie Clarke
and Temuera Morrison
. He operated out of a villa in suburban Grey Lynn
, and his word was his bond. The villa was distinguished by the word "Tobermory", in memory of the lighthouse on the Isle of Mull where his maternal grandfather was a lighthouse keeper, and where his ashes are to be spread.
In addition to representing several of New Zealand's top actors, Bruce worked as a stuntman and fight co-ordinator on several New Zealand films, television shows and theatical plays, working on 73 TV series, 39 films and 21 live shows, and as an actor played the role of a former international rugby player in the 1991 film Old Scores
. He was an animal lover, and was a vice-patron
of the Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
.
Bruce died suddenly and unexpectedly after a short illness on 2 March 2009; his age at the time of his death was reported as unknown by some sources, although other sources say he was 65.
He is survived by his partner Gabriella Larkin, his elder sister Merle Frame, her husband Robert and their two children. Robert had three daughters, the product of his first marriage to Jean Young, formally Gould. They married in London on February 2, 1963. He was then a Police Constable based in Union Road Station near Wandsworth. Their first daughter Laurie was born in July 1963 with the addition of twin daughters Donna and Julie three years later. They lived as a family in Police accommodation in Charlton South London until they separated and he left to start a new life in New Zealand with his new partner Lyn. He travelled the world with his wrestling and acting career and letters, birthday cards, photographs, etc. were exchanged between the children and Robert for a good few years. His eldest daughter went to visit him in New Zealand in the late 80's where she met many of his friends and Lyn's family.
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
-born professional wrestler
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
and talent agent
Talent agent
A talent agent, or booking agent, is a person who finds jobs for actors, authors, film directors, musicians, models, producers, professional athletes, writers and other people in various entertainment businesses. Having an agent is not required, but does help the artist in getting jobs...
in Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
.
Biography
Bruce was born in MusselburghMusselburgh
Musselburgh is the largest settlement in East Lothian, Scotland, on the coast of the Firth of Forth, six miles east of Edinburgh city centre.-History:...
, near Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. He was born John Charles Young, but adopted the stage name of Robert the Bruce, later shortened to Robert Bruce, and kept the name when he quit wrestling. In the ring he played the quintessential villain who prefaced every low blow with an evil smirk, once saying "Honestly, it's better being a bad guy. I suppose it's the underlying evil you may have. You get a lot more fun."
He began wrestling in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1967, and toured the United Kingdom, South Africa, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, eventually settling in New Zealand in the 1970s after wrestling John da Silva
John da Silva
John da Silva or John Silva is a former New Zealand wrestler and boxer. He represented New Zealand in wrestling at the 1956 Olympics and at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games...
there for the Commonwealth championship in 1972. He held the Commonwealth Heavyweight Title on and off over a five year period, and wrestled for the World Title. In 1972, he had a small role as one of the bouncers in the Korova Milk Bar
Korova Milk Bar
The Korova Milk Bar appears in the novel and film A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess. It is a twisted version of a milk bar....
in the film A Clockwork Orange
A Clockwork Orange (film)
A Clockwork Orange is a 1971 film adaptation of Anthony Burgess's 1962 novel of the same name. It was written, directed and produced by Stanley Kubrick...
.
Bruce retired from wrestling due to injuries to his back and elbows, and decided to form a talent agency in 1978 when he realised that there was no such company in New Zealand. The Robert Bruce Agency was nicknamed the "Ugly Bruce" agency, as Bruce claimed his first clients were his former wrestling friends seeking roles as ugly people, thugs or stuntmen. His later clients included well-known New Zealand actors such as Cliff Curtis
Cliff Curtis
Clifford Vivian Devon "Cliff" Curtis is a New Zealand actor who has had major roles in film, including The Piano, Whale Rider, and Blow, and most recently has appeared in NBC's television series Trauma. He is also co-owner of independent film production company Whenua Films...
, the late Kevin Smith, Robbie Magasiva
Robbie Magasiva
Robbie Magasiva is a Samoan New Zealand actor who has starred in several films and as a member of the Naked Samoans comedy troupe. He has also appeared on television and theatre, and was the co-presenter of New Zealand's Tagata Pasifika with famed athlete Beatrice Faumuina. Magasiva is also known...
, Frankie Stevens
Frankie Stevens
Frankie Stevens is a New Zealand entertainer and singer. He is best known as a judge for all three seasons on the reality series New Zealand Idol.-Early career:...
, Jackie Clarke
Jackie Clarke
Jackie Clarke is a well known New Zealand entertainer, singer and comedian. She is best known for her judging role on New Zealand Idol in 2005.-Television:* Judge for the second season of NZ Idol * Showcase - 1997...
and Temuera Morrison
Temuera Morrison
Temuera Derek Morrison is a New Zealand-born actor. He has become one of the country's most famous stars for his roles as the abusive Jake "the Muss" Heke in 1994's Once Were Warriors and as bounty hunter Jango Fett and the Clone Troopers in the Star Wars series...
. He operated out of a villa in suburban Grey Lynn
Grey Lynn
Grey Lynn is an inner residential suburb of Auckland City, New Zealand, located three kilometres to the west of the city centre. Originally a separate borough, Grey Lynn amalgamated with Auckland City in 1914....
, and his word was his bond. The villa was distinguished by the word "Tobermory", in memory of the lighthouse on the Isle of Mull where his maternal grandfather was a lighthouse keeper, and where his ashes are to be spread.
In addition to representing several of New Zealand's top actors, Bruce worked as a stuntman and fight co-ordinator on several New Zealand films, television shows and theatical plays, working on 73 TV series, 39 films and 21 live shows, and as an actor played the role of a former international rugby player in the 1991 film Old Scores
Old Scores
Old Scores is a 1991 film jointly produced by New Zealand and Wales, based around the two countries' mutual national sport of rugby union. It is notable for the appearance of a large number of legendary Welsh and New Zealand international rugby players in supporting roles...
. He was an animal lover, and was a vice-patron
Patronage
Patronage is the support, encouragement, privilege, or financial aid that an organization or individual bestows to another. In the history of art, arts patronage refers to the support that kings or popes have provided to musicians, painters, and sculptors...
of the Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
The Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a New Zealand charitable society who work to provide food and shelter for abandoned and neglected animals and to promote humane treatment of animals.- History :The New Zealand SPCA was formed by settlers from England in...
.
Bruce died suddenly and unexpectedly after a short illness on 2 March 2009; his age at the time of his death was reported as unknown by some sources, although other sources say he was 65.
He is survived by his partner Gabriella Larkin, his elder sister Merle Frame, her husband Robert and their two children. Robert had three daughters, the product of his first marriage to Jean Young, formally Gould. They married in London on February 2, 1963. He was then a Police Constable based in Union Road Station near Wandsworth. Their first daughter Laurie was born in July 1963 with the addition of twin daughters Donna and Julie three years later. They lived as a family in Police accommodation in Charlton South London until they separated and he left to start a new life in New Zealand with his new partner Lyn. He travelled the world with his wrestling and acting career and letters, birthday cards, photographs, etc. were exchanged between the children and Robert for a good few years. His eldest daughter went to visit him in New Zealand in the late 80's where she met many of his friends and Lyn's family.
Championships and accomplishments
- NWA New ZealandNational Wrestling AllianceThe National Wrestling Alliance is a wrestling promotion company and sanctions various NWA championships in the United States. The NWA has been in operation since 1948...
- NWA New Zealand Heavyweight ChampionshipNWA British Empire/Commonwealth Championship (New Zealand version)The New Zealand version of the NWA British Empire/Commonwealth Championship was a professional wrestling heavyweight championship defended in the National Wrestling Alliance-affiliated Dominion Wrestling Union from 1929 to 1953 and in All Star Pro Wrestling from 1968 to 1990...
(2 times)
External links
- The Robert Bruce Agency
- Profile on Kiwi Pro Wrestling (as Robert Bruce (II))