WWE superstar and 'Boy Meets World' actor Big Van Vader dies at the age of 63
It's a sad day for the WWE universe as WWE Superstar Big Van Vader has died at the age of 63, his son announced on Twitter moments ago. Vader, who made a huge name for himself in the pro-wrestling world as well as in films and TV shows such as 'Boy Meets World', died of natural causes.
"Around a month ago, my father was diagnosed with a severe case of pneumonia. He fought extremely hard and was making progress. Unfortunately, on Monday night, his heart had enough and it was his time," Vader's son, wrestler Jesse Wright wrote on the social media Wednesday morning.
Vader, whose real name was Leon White, was previously diagnosed with congestive heart failure back in 2016. At the time of diagnosis, the WWE Superstar was given a time frame of five years to live.
Vader, who was also famous for being called Big Van Vader inside the ring, had revealed to fans and followers back in April that he was on the road to recovery from his open-heart surgery that he had undergone in March. However, even after getting updates of his recovery from time to time, people were still pretty shocked to see the gnarly scar marks which he had been left with after his operations.
“They had me but I KICKED out 2 The surgeon confessed he had A few to many that’s why the scar is off center I OWE THAT MAN M LIFE THANK U JESUS [sic],” the wrestler joked on Twitter on April 15.
Although people mostly associate the pro-wrestler for his prowess in the ring, he was also known for his groundbreaking role in 'Boy Meets World', the hit ABC series where Vader played himself, only difference being that he played the father of one of Cory Matthews' friends, and occasional bully, Frankie Stechino.
Apart from having a role in the ABC show, he also played a couple of interesting roles in 'Baywatch' as well as the film 'Fist of the North Star'.