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William DeCoff

Biography

William DeCoff, born in the Danvers Massachusetts in the area of Old Salem Village where much of the Salem Witch Hysteria took place., He is the son of Command Sgt. Major George DeCoff who served as personal bodyguard to Major General Robert McClure.

DeCoff at the age of 14 was recruited in a high school hallway to perform in a TV commercial for the clothing store Anderson Little. Shortly after he was trained in method acting by Mr. Rafael Ramirez of The NY Conservatory. Because of high unusually muscular physique for a teenager in the 70's William started body part modeling for print and TV.

While competing in bodybuilding as a teenager he was recruited to play a high school bully in a full-length movie Blood Tide. Which was never completed but did succeeded in giving young William a zest for acting.

At the age of 19 DeCoff started his career as a professional Wrestler. After being trained by Walter "Killer Kowalski he entered the pro ranks. Wrestling throughout Canada focusing mainly in Quebec and the maritime provinces. He also worked throughout the United States mainly in Dallas and the New England states . He also competed and won several "Tough Man " contests which were popular in that time frame.

Known for his high incredible stamina and deceptively high degree of physical strength Decoff won several wrestling titles. However his lack of physical size held him back and he became discouraged leaving the business several times only to return. Wrestling Promoter Fritz Von Erich told William in 1987 that his place was in the booking office where he could be better utilized considering high degree of creativity and promotional instinct. DeCoff spoke to Killer Kowalski by phone later that day. Kowalski agreed with Von Erich. William completed his bookings and left the business days later.

DeCoff's friends also claim that he took the suicide of Mike Von Erich very hard. That this may have been the actual catalyst for Decoff retiring.