American Gladiators who died at a young age

Many Americans and other viewers across the world remember the American Gladiators: heroes who fought candidates in a series of novel challenges of physical strength.

In typical over-the-top 80s fashion, the competition got its inspiration from the ancient Roman gladiatorial games. It featured both male and female gladiators who would soon get thousands of fans due to their charisma and athletic skills.

Photo: GladiatorsTV / Instagram

Remember what the battles were called? There was 'The Joust,' 'The Assault,' 'The Wall,' 'The Maze,' and 'The Eliminator,' among others. These events tested the speed, strength, balance, and agility of contestants, and everyone wanted a chance to take on a 'Gladiator.'

A big hit in the '80s and '90s, the series got new attention with the 29023 Netflix documentary 'Muscles and Mayhem.' The documentary shows what went on behind the scenes of the spectacle and how the gladiators are doing now.

After the show was over, the gladiators continued their lives, some of them writing books, others appearing in series, movies, sports activities, and adult magazines.

Sadly, some of the best-known and beloved Gladiators from the original series passed away. Let's take a look at the stars who, despite their amazing physical abilities on the show, would leave the 'American Gladiators' family at a young age.

Photo: GladiatorsTV / Instagram

Tonya 'Gold' Knight was a fierce Gladiator between 1990 and 1992. She was absent from the program for part of the 1991-92 season due to an injury to her left knee. Knight retired from professional bodybuilding in 1993 and was inducted into the IFBB Hall of Fame in 2011.

'Gold' was married to bodybuilder John Poteat, the twin brother of fellow Gladiator Philip 'Atlas' Poteat. She eventually divorced him, though. The saddest news came in February 2023, when 'Gold' passed away at age 56 from cancer. She is survived by her son, Malachi.

Photo: GladiatorsTV

Billy 'Thunder' Smith was a Gladiator in season 2 from 1990-1992. He was a strong competitor, having entered bodybuilding at just 17 years old and winning over 24 worldwide competitions in his 16-year career.

Thunder was married for some time to fellow Gladiator Cathy 'Panther' Sassin, which once again confirmed how close-knit the 'Gladiator Family' was. A divorced man, he ran his company 'Intrafitt Enterprises' in North Carolina, until he sadly passed away in 2021. 'Thunder' was only 56 years old and had just finished his interviews for the Netflix documentary 'Muscles and Mayhem.' His death was reportedly caused by an infection after a knee operation.

Photo: GladiatorsTV

The name 'Atlas' already appeared in this gallery, as he was the brother-in-law of 'Gold' for a while. Philip 'Atlas' Poteat joined the 'American Gladiators' in the fourth season. Although he only fought in the show between 1992 and 1993, his best challenges were 'The Maze' and 'The Human Bullet'.

Photo: GladiatorsTV / Instagram

Atlas' adored twin brother (and ex-husband of fellow 'Gladiator' Tanya 'Gold' Knight), John Poteat, died in 2016. A year later, 'Atlas' would also pass away, at just 50 years old. The cause of his death remains unknown. 

Photo: GladiatorsTV

American Gladiator Shelley 'Siren' Beattie was the living proof that deafness only affected the ears, not the brain or the body. As a hearing-impaired teenager, she was a loner until she discovered bodybuilding. There, she managed to become one of the few deaf professionals in the world. 

Photo: GladiatorsTV / Instagram

The story of 'Siren' is quite sad. Although she was a famous Gladiator, she couldn't overcome her severe depression and bipolar disorder. During a six-week stay in a psychiatric hospital, in 2008, she tried to take her own life. Three days later, she passed away from the injuries. 'Siren' was only 39 years old. 

Photo: GladiatorsTV

Lee 'Hawk' Reherman was a former professional football player for the Miami Dolphins and a student at UCLA's Anderson Graduate School of Management. Thanks to a serendipitous meeting with a talent agent, he got a spot on the 'American Gladiators' show during its fifth season.  

Photo: GladiatorsTV / Instagram

Reherman was found dead in his home on March 1, 2016, at the age of 49. The former gladiator had recently undergone hip replacement surgery, and several media alleged that his death was caused by a medical complication. However, the actual cause of his death was never specified.