Eugene Arthur Okerlund was born on 19 December 1942, in Robinsdale, Minnesota USA, and is a semi-retired professional wrestling interviewer, announcer and wrestler, best known for his involvement in the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling.
So just how loaded is Gene Okerlund now? According to sources in mid-2017, Okerlund has established a net worth of over $3 million, collected largely through his involvement in wrestling.
Gene Okerlund Net Worth $3 million
Prior to his career in the sport, Okerlund worked in the radio industry. His career as a wrestling commentator started with the Minneapolis-based American Wrestling Association in the early ’70s. After occasionally replacing ring announcer and interviewer Marty O’Neill, he took his position by the end of the decade, remaining with the AWA until 1983, and being given the nickname ‘Mean Gene’ by Jesse ‘The Body’ Ventura. During that time, he interviewed some of the major names in the AWA, such as Bobby Heenan and Hulk Hogan. His involvement in the AWA greatly contributed to Okerlund’s popularity and to his net worth as well.
In 1984 he joined the World Wrestling Federation, where he would spend the next nine years, establishing himself as the lead locker room interviewer and announcer. He also provided ringside commentary, and served as host of various WWF shows, such as “All-American Wrestling”, “Wrestling Challenge”, “Tuesday Night Titans” and “Prime Time Wrestling”. All contributed to his wealth.
Aside from broadcasting, Okerlund even entered the ring on one occasion in 1984, joining Hulk Hogan to defeat the team of Mr. Fuji and George “The Animal” Steele. He would come to the ring again in 2012, teaming with Sheamus to defeat the team of Alberto Del Rio and Daniel Bryan on SmackDown.
Okerlund sang the National Anthem at the very first WrestleMania in 1985. Later that year, he appeared in the NBC television series “The A-Team”.
In 1993, he left the WWF and joined World Championship Wrestling, remaining there until the company was sold to the WWF in 2001. During his tenure at the WCW, he twice entered the ring, firstly joining Buff Bagwell to defeat Chris Kanyon and fellow announcer Mark Madden in 2000, and then in a one on one match-up against Madden a week later, finishing as the winner again. Okerlund’s time with the WCW significantly increased his net worth.
In 2001 he returned to WWE. After serving as a commentator for the Gimmick Battle Royal during WrestleMania X-Seven that year, he spent the next two years hosting the behind-the-scenes original program “WWE Confidential”. His wealth grew larger.
Okerlund’s tenure at the WWE also included positions such as host of the “WWE Madison Square Garden Classics” and “WWE Classics On Demand” programs. He also appeared on “Raw” and “Wrestlemania XXVII”. As of 2008 he has hosted “WWE Vintage Collection”, and in 2014 Okerlund was a regular cast member on the WWE Network reality television show “Legends’ House”, as one of the professional wrestling legends. All added to his net worth.
Since 2016, he has served as the narrator for the WWE Network animated TV series “WWE Story Time”.
Okerlund’s career has enabled him to earn prestigious awards and honors, such as a 1986 Slammy Award from the WWE for Best Commentator, as well as induction into the WWE Hall of Fame by Hulk Hogan in 2006.
Aside from his involvement in wrestling, Okerlund has been spokesperson for fast-food franchise Mean Gene’s Burgers owned by Orion Food Systems, which has additionally improved his wealth.
Speaking about his private life, Okerlund has been married to Jeanne since 1964. The couple has two children together.
