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Submitted: 9/17/15 • Approved: 9/17/15 • Last Updated: 3/24/18 • R89749-G0-S3
William Dee Calhoun (August 3, 1934 - December 7, 1989) was an American professional wrestler, who used the professional name "Haystack" or "Haystacks" Calhoun.
Born on August 3, 1934, William Dee Calhoun grew up on a farm in McKinney, Texas; a rural suburb located in Collin County about 30 mi north of Dallas. William was an unusually large child with a large appetite. He regularly ate a dozen eggs for breakfast and by age 14 he already weighed 300 pounds. By the time he was in his early 20s, Calhoun tipped the scales at over 600 pounds, prompting his physician to suggest he did not have long to live unless he reformed his diet.
Initially performing under the name “Country Boy Calhoun”, he soon established himself as a feature attraction, performing in various regional territories, including Houston, Kansas City, and even in Canada. However, he first appeared nationally on Art Linkletter’s House Party, a televised variety show where Calhoun’s strength was showcased as he tossed full bales of hay into a high loft. As a result of this feat, he was given the nickname “Haystacks”; recognizing the showbiz potential of such a gimmick, Calhoun decided to exaggerate his hillbilly persona by adopting the stage birthplace of Morgan’s Corner, Arkansas, while sporting a bushy beard, white tee-shirt, blue overalls, and a genuine horseshoe around his neck on a chain. Despite his imposing size, Haystacks Calhoun was a mild-mannered country boy and he became a fan favorite. Moreover while promoters typically did not book Calhoun for championships, he seldom lost a match. He was often booked in special attraction bouts, competing in handicap matches and battle royals, much the same way that André the Giant would be booked a few decades later.
Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haystacks_Calhoun
Contributed on 9/17/15 by gasirek
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Record #: 89749
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