Josip Peruzovic was an American actor who is best known for his roles as Nikolai Volkoff in various wrestling events and TV shows. He was born on October 14, 1947, in Croatia, Yugoslavia, and passed away on July 29, 2018, in Glen Arm, Maryland, USA.
Personal and Family Life
Josip was married to Eleanor Lynn Breidenbaugh from October 1, 1971, until his death in 2018. The couple had two children together. Throughout his life, he was known for his strong personality and distinctive presence in the wrestling world.
Career
Josip began his career as a professional wrestler, initially performing under the name “Beppo” as a member of the Mongols. He later achieved fame as Nikolai Volkoff, where he became known for his signature act of singing the Soviet national anthem during matches, enraging audiences in the 1980s. He also won the WWF Tag Team Championship during his wrestling career and was a recognizable figure in the Million Dollar Corporation.
Death and Legacy
Josip Peruzovic passed away on July 29, 2018, in Glen Arm, Maryland. His legacy continues through his contributions to wrestling, where he remains a memorable character for fans of the sport.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| WrestleMania | 1985-03-31 | Nikolai Volkoff |
| WrestleMania II | 1986-04-07 | Nikolai Volkoff |
| WWE WrestleMania III | 1987-03-29 | Nikolai Volkoff |
| The Wrestling Classic | 1985-11-07 | Nikolai Volkoff |
| WWE WrestleMania VI | 1990-04-01 | Nikolai Volkoff |
| WWE Survivor Series 1990 | 1990-11-22 | Nikolai Volkoff |
| WWE SummerSlam 1990 | 1990-08-27 | Nikolai Volkoff |
| WWE War to Settle the Score | 1985-02-18 | Nikolai Volkoff |
| Wrestling Then and Now | 2002-01-01 | Himself |
| Grand Masters of Wrestling: Volume 1 | 2006-06-06 | Nikolai Volkoff |
| Grand Masters of Wrestling: Volume 2 | 2006-06-06 | Nikolai Volkoff |
| WWE: The Best of Saturday Night’s Main Event | 2009-02-10 | Nikolai Volkoff |
| WWE Hall of Fame 2005 | 2005-03-25 | Nikolai Volkoff |
| 350 Days | 2019-04-02 | Self |
| The British Bulldogs | 1986-10-15 | Nikolai Volkoff |
| Bob Uecker’s Wacky World of Sports | 1987-01-01 | Nikolai Volkoff |