Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011

Randy Savage

Pro wrestling legend "Macho Man" Randy Savage died in a car accident in Tampa, Florida on May 20.

Savage, 58, reportedly suffered a heart attack while driving and lost control of the car, eventually colliding with a tree. He was moved to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Savage's wife, Lynn, was also in the car at the time of the accident, but only sustained minor injuries.

He began his career in the World Wrestling Federation (now World Wrestling Entertainment) in 1985, and became known for his outlandish costumes and colorful persona. He won two WWE championships and two World Heavyweight Championships, and held the Intercontinental Champion title for 14 months. He also starred in a number of memorable commercials, winning viewers over with a command to "snap into a Slim Jim."

He was born Randy Mario Poffo in Columbus, Ohio, and began his athletic career as a minor-league baseball player with the St. Louis Cardinals organization before entering pro wrestling — following in the footsteps of his father, Angelo Poffo, a wrestler and wrestling promoter.

A version of this text originally appeared on TIME.com on May 20, 2011