Robert James Marella, better known by his ring name Gorilla Monsoon, was a renowned American professional wrestler, play-by-play commentator, and booker. He was famous for his run as a super-heavyweight main eventer and later as the voice of WWE, serving as a commentator and backstage manager during the 1980s and 1990s. Monsoon also portrayed the on-screen role of WWE President from 1995 to 1997.
Monsoon established the "Gorilla Position" in the staging area just behind the entrance curtain at WWE events, where he could often be found during his later career. Although many fans remember him fondly, Monsoon was voted Worst Television Announcer a record six times by readers of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter in the publication's annual awards poll.
In his personal life, Monsoon was married to his wife, Maureen, for over 40 years and had three children: Sharon (born 1960),Joey (adopted, 1963-1994),and Valerie (born 1966). Victor Quinones (1959-2006) was listed as his son in his obituary, although this was never officially confirmed by Monsoon but acknowledged by his family after his death.
Monsoon was considered as a possible replacement for Vince McMahon as the owner of WWE if McMahon had been found guilty during his 1994 legal trial for illegal steroid use in the company. However, this did not come to pass.
Tragedy struck Monsoon in 1994 when his adopted son, Joey Marella, died in a car accident on the New Jersey Turnpike while returning from refereeing a WWE event in Ocean City, Maryland. Joey was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
For years, Monsoon had a custom New Jersey license plate that read "kayfabe.
Monsoon died on October 6, 1999, at the age of 62, due to heart failure brought on by complications of diabetes at his home in Willingboro Township, New Jersey. In a tribute that aired on October 11, 1999, on an episode of Raw Is War from the Georgia Dome, Vince McMahon described Monsoon as "one of the greatest men I have ever known."
He is interred next to his son, Joey Marella, at Lakeview Memorial Park in Cinnaminson, New Jersey.
