Kamala (wrestler)

For the professional wrestler Kamala II, see Uncle Elmer.

Kamala
Kamala in 2009
Birth nameJames Arthur Harris[1]
Born(1950-05-28)May 28, 1950[2]
Senatobia, Mississippi, U.S.[2]
DiedAugust 9, 2020(2020-08-09) (aged 70)[3][4]
Oxford, Mississippi, U.S.[4]
Cause of deathCardiac arrest[3] with comorbid diabetes[4] and COVID-19
Spouse(s)
Clara Freeman
​
​
(m. 1974; div. 2005)​
Emmer Jean Bradley
​
​
(m. 2006)​
Children6
Websitekamalaspeaks.com
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Bad News Harris[5]
Giant Kamala[6]
Giant Kamala 1[6]
Gigante Kimala[6]
Gigante Kimala 1[6]
Giant Kimala[6]
Giant Kimala 1[7]
Big Jim Harris[8]
Kamala[9]
Kamala 1[6]
Kimala[7]
Lord of The Jungle
The Mississippi Mauler[10][11]
Sugar Bear Harris[8]
Bad Leroy Brown[6]
Ugly Bear Harris[8]
Billed height6 ft 7 in (201 cm)[9]
Billed weight380 lb (172 kg)[9]
Billed fromUganda, Jungles of Africa[9][12]
Trained byBobo Brazil[13]
"Tiny" Tim Hampton[13]
Debut1978[13]
Retired2010[14]

James Arthur Harris (May 28, 1950 – August 9, 2020),[4] better known by his ring name Kamala, was an American professional wrestler. Nicknamed "The Ugandan Giant", Kamala portrayed a fearsome and simpleminded Ugandan. He wrestled barefoot, clad only in a loincloth, his face painted with war paint and two stars painted on his chest and a moon painted on his stomach. During his ring entrance, he sported an African mask and wielded a spear and shield. He is best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) over the course of numerous runs in the company between 1984 and 2006.[1][5][12]

  1. ^ a b Kristian Pope (2005). Tuff Stuff Professional Wrestling Field Guide: Legend and Lore. Krause Publications. p. 253. ISBN 1-4402-2810-8.
  2. ^ a b Sumner, Ben (August 9, 2020). "James Harris, who wrestled as Ugandan warrior Kamala, dies at 70". Washington Post. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Mooneyham, Mike (August 15, 2020). "Wrestling's 'Ugandan Giant' Kamala kept fighting until the end". Post and Courier. Evening Post Industries. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d Traub, Alex (August 12, 2020). "James Harris, Towering Wrestler Known as Kamala, Dies at 70". New York Times. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  5. ^ a b Harris M. Lentz III (2003). Biographical Dictionary of Professional Wrestling, 2d ed. McFarland & Company. pp. 179–180. ISBN 978-1-4766-0505-0.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Philip Kreikenbohm. "Kamala". Cagematch.net. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
  7. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference KleinbergNudelman2005 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference Laroche2001 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ a b c d "Kamala". <brBad Leroy Brown/>WWE.com. WWE. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference Hart2009 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference Garfield2013 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ a b Steven Pantaleo (2015). WWE Ultimate Superstar Guide. DK Publishing. p. 114. ISBN 978-0-241-23501-0.
  13. ^ a b c Pollock, John (August 10, 2020). "James Harris a.k.a. "Kamala The Ugandan Giant" passes away". POST Wrestling. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  14. ^ Lealos, Shawn S. (August 10, 2020). "Former WWE Wrestler Kamala Had COVID-19, Died Due to Cardiac Arrest". CBR. Retrieved February 3, 2021.