Chief Jay Strongbow was an American professional wrestler best known for his performances in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). Born Luke Joseph Scarpa on October 4, 1928, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he became a well-known figure in wrestling before passing away on April 3, 2012, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Personal and Family Life
Chief Jay Strongbow was married to Mary, with whom he had one child. Despite his larger-than-life persona in the ring, he was known for his humble nature and ability to connect with fans from all backgrounds. Strongbow was not actually Native American but an Italian-American who enjoyed making light-hearted jokes about his heritage.
Career Highlights
Strongbow’s wrestling career began in the mid-1960s, primarily with Vince McMahon Sr. in the WWWF. He was known for his signature moves like the Tomahawk Chop and the Indian Deathlock. Throughout his two-decade career, he held the WWWF World Tag Team Championship four times, showcasing his skills against many of the biggest names in wrestling. After retiring from the ring, he served as a WWF road agent, where he continued to influence the sport.
Death and Legacy
Chief Jay Strongbow passed away on April 3, 2012, from natural causes. He left behind a legacy as one of the most loved wrestlers of his time, earning a place in the WWE Hall of Fame in 1994. Strongbow’s professionalism and dedication to wrestling made him a role model, and he is remembered fondly by fans and colleagues alike.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Andre the Giant | 2018-04-10 | Self (archive footage) |
| WWE Hall Of Fame 1994 | 1994-06-09 | Chief Jay Strongbow |
| Tag Team Champions | 1986-03-01 | Chief Jay Strongbow |
| WWE The Brawl to End it All | 1984-07-23 | “Chief” Jay Strongbow |
| Bad Guys | 1986-03-14 | Sod Buster |
| Micki + Maude | 1984-12-21 | Self |
| The WWF’s Most Unusual Matches | 1985-01-01 | Chief Jay Strongbow |
| Best of the WWF Volume 2 | 1985-01-01 | “Chief” Jay Strongbow |
| WWF’s Biggest, Smallest, Strangest, Strongest | 1985-01-01 | Chief Jay Strongbow |
| The Best of the WWF: volume 4 | 1985-09-01 | “Chief” Jay Strongbow |
| WWE Houston Wrestling: October ’86 | 1986-10-19 | “Chief” Jay Strongbow |
| WWE St. Louis Wrestling: September ’84 | 1984-09-01 | “Chief” Jay Strongbow |
| WWE Raw | 1993-01-11 | Chief Jay Strongbow |