What happened to the American Gladiators?

In 2023, Netflix released a docuseries about the iconic 80s and 90s show 'American Gladiators.' It contained exclusive, unpublished testimonials from six of the main athletes who saw the series rise to incredible fame and then had to deal with its aftermath.

The popular TV show 'American Gladiators' was a weekly competition inspired by ancient Roman gladiatorial games. Both male and female contestants competed in physical challenges against a team of formidable, athletic, and charismatic 'Gladiators.' The show aired from 1989 to 1996.

Picture: Netflix

The show appealed to a large audience thanks to its high-energy, action-packed format. Contestants had to match the Gladiators in a mix of athleticism, strength, and agility.

The 'Gladiators' became the stars of the show and were known for their personality and impressive physical abilities. They were given names like Gemini, Zap, Lace, and Atlas, among many others, which became synonymous with the show. Here are Nitro (left) and Thunder (right). 

The Gladiators were skillful athletes who battled contestants in events such as 'The Joust,' 'The Assault,' 'The Wall,' 'The Maze,' and 'The Eliminator.' In these events, everyone hoped for a chance to take on a Gladiator and win.

For example, in this photo, we can see hundreds of aspiring contestants waiting for their chance to appear on the TV Show in a coliseum in Denver (Colorado). They had to pass a series of extreme physical tests, such as doing 50 push-ups with their fingertips. 95% of them were eliminated on this test alone.

'American Gladiators' gained a huge following and became a pop culture phenomenon during its first season. The show had a 90s aesthetic with flamboyant costumes, rock music, and colorful sets.

Throughout the six seasons of 'American Gladiator,' dozens of protagonists, the Gladiators, entered the field. Let's have a look at some of the fan favorites and see where they are now.

Fan favorite Raye 'Zap' Hollitt was known for her impressive strength and athleticism. She was on the show in its first season from 1989 to 1990 and again from 1991 to 1995. In 1991 she had to leave for maternity leave, returning in the third season until 1995. She reappeared in a former Gladiators program in the last season (1995-96).

After 'American Gladiators,' Hollitt owned two gyms in Pennsylvania and continued to train with fellow Gladiator Shelley 'Siren' Beattie. 'Zap' also tried some acting in series such as 'JAG,' 'Baywatch,' and 'Manhunt.' She continues to travel and spends a lot of time with her daughter.

Dan 'Nitro' Clark, born in Zoma, Japan, and raised in the United States and Vietnam, was perhaps the most popular and beloved 'Gladiator' on the show. A self-proclaimed 'chubby kid,' Nitro became an elite athlete and fan-favorite 'Gladiator.' He was known for his muscularity, 'exotic' look, and charismatic personality. Nitro was on the show from 1989 to 1992 and returned in 1994 and 1995.

After 'American Gladiators,' Clark turned to acting and appeared in several television series and films including 'Walker, Texas Ranger,' 'Ellen,' 'Saved by the Bell,' and 'Equilibrium.' He also became a motivational speaker and fitness advocate, sharing his personal story of overcoming addiction. Nitro wrote two books: one in 2009 about his time as a Gladiator, and another in 2017 about the heart attack he survived in 2013.

Deron 'Malibu' McBee, a typical surfer with long flowing hair, a tan, and a laid-back attitude, was a Gladiator in the first season in 1989. Curiously, McBee was a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy before joining the series.

Photo: GladiatorsTV

After 'American Gladiators', McBee starred as Motaro in 'Mortal Kombat: Annihilation' (1997). He also appeared in 'Batman Forever,' 'Baywatch Nights,', 'Roswell,' 'Curb Your Enthusiasm,' and other productions. Malibu trained at the Billy Blanks World Karate Studio and became a professional wrestler known for a time as 'Kid Fury'. He would suffer from substance abuse and talk about his experiences in several media.

Image: 'Taling Tough' podcast / LaunchpadOne

Marisa 'Lace' Pare, or 'Lace #1' to fans, appeared in 59 episodes of 'American Gladiators' from 1989-1993. 'Lace #1' left the show prior to the beginning of Season Four, causing the producers to scramble for another Lace, played by Natalie Lennox.

The former Gladiator was an interior designer and the lead singer of a Los Angeles musical group called Ivy League and the Climbers. She even decorated Bruce Willis' house in 1989. She was also known for posing in P l a y boy magazine.

Photo: GladiatorsTV

Michael 'Gemini' Horton (right in the photo) was a Gladiator for 80 episodes from 1989 to 1992. He became a fan favorite even though his understated personal demeanor contrasted with his 'Rage in the Cage' persona during competition. His best event, without a doubt, was 'The Powerball.'

Horton's biggest claim to fame since ending his career as Gladiator was his role as a security guard in the sitcom 'Night at the Roxbury.' In addition to acting, he also worked as a personal trainer and studied jiu-jitsu, earning a second-degree black belt.

Photo: GladiatorsTV

Sha-ri 'Blaze' Pendleton was a former world-class hurler and aspiring body-builder in the 1980s before joining the 'Gladiator' crew in Season 2 for two years. She was known to be very aggressive in the arena and was often sidelined in 'The Powerball' for tackling the competitors above the neck.

After 'American Gladiators', Pendleton married Rodney 'Knightmare - The Duke of Doom' Mitchell, who ironically was part of a medieval-themed athletics television show called 'Knights and Warriors.' The couple had a son, Re-al Mitchell, who has followed in his parents' footsteps as an athlete by becoming a sprinter and football player.

Photo: GladiatorsTV

Jim 'Laser' Starr was the only Gladiator to appear in all seven seasons of the series, from 1989 to 1996. Unfortunately, he was also the most injured Gladiator of the bunch. He injured both shoulders, broke his nose and ankle and suffered a herniated disc.

Starr said, "It's more dangerous than most people think. I've had more injuries as a Gladiator than I did playing football!". He lives in California and is Director of Product Development at 'Life Time Fitness' and owner of 'Sports Nutrition Consulting Group'.

Siren, Atlas, Thunder, Hawk (image), Gold... A number of fan favorites would pass away at relatively young ages after the show ended. Cancer, infections, unknown causes, and mental problems were reported as the ways in which these former top athletes died. Read more about them in this gallery.

In 2008, the original 'American Gladiators' revival premiered for one season on NBC in the USA. It was hosted by famed wrestler Hulk Hogan and boxer Laila Ali, the daughter of boxing great Muhammad Ali.

The format of the show was similar to the original, featuring male and female contestants competing against a team of 'Gladiators' in various physical challenges.

Other versions of 'American Gladiators' have been filmed around the world to varying degrees of acclaim. They have been filmed in the United Kingdom, Finland, Japan, Australia, South Africa, Sweden, Nigeria and Denmark, although they have not been called 'American Gladiators', but variations of the name.