James Harris, a Mississippi-born sharecropper who gained international fame as "Kamala the Ugandan Giant," a massive professional wrestler who terrorized opponents with his trademark "splash," has died.
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World Wrestling Entertainment confirmed his death in a statement Sunday.
Kenny Casanova, who co-wrote Harris' autobiography, wrote on social media that Harris died from COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. He was 70.
In recent years, Harris had suffered from many health ailments, including having both legs amputated because of diabetes.
James 'Kamala' Harris Dead at 70
WWE is saddened to learn that James Harris, known to WWE fans as Kamala, has passed away at age 70.https://t.co/d0kGY4GcTO
— WWE (@WWE) August 10, 2020
Born in Senatobia, Mississippi, the 6-foot-7-inch (2-meter), nearly 400-pound (181-kilogram) Harris began his wrestling career as Sugar Bear Harris and under other names but wasn't considered successful in the ring. It wasn't until a promoter suggested the Kamala gimmick loosely based on Ugandan dictator Idi Amin that his career took a turn.
Walking into the ring with body and face paint and a spear, Kamala would headline cards against babyface wrestlers like the Junkyard Dog, Andre the Giant, and Hacksaw Butch Reed in Mid-South Wrestling's territory of Louisiana and Texas. He was managed by Skandor Akbar and a masked man named Friday, who tried to control the wrestler's behavior.
He'd chop opponents and often pretended to bite their faces. His finishing move, the "splash," consisted of him running full speed at a downed foe while jumping in the air with his hands extended and landing on the opponent's back. The move left opponents immobile for an easy pin.
Kamala vs. Hulk Hogan
Harris would later join the WWE and face Hulk Hogan, Jake "The Snake" Robert and the Undertaker.
Critics charged that the character of Kamala was based on racial stereotypes as wrestling announcers often used such terms as "savage" and "beast."
GOD BLESS THE KAMALA HE ALWAYS PUT ON A SHOW FOR THE FANS GOOD BIG MAN WHO WORKED THE GIMMICK BETTER THEN MOST IT BREAK MY HEART #ripkamala pic.twitter.com/8hFybhctSq
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) August 10, 2020
Kamala (real name James Harris) was one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. I first met & worked with James in Mid-South Wrestling. James was the total opposite of his in-ring character, which he played very well.
He was a good wrestler & a good friend. Rest In Peace, my friend. pic.twitter.com/dx8nstgbOw— Ted DiBiase (@MDMTedDiBiase) August 10, 2020
The CAC family wishes to extend our sincerest condolences to the family friends and fans the world over upon the news that the legendary James "Kamala" Harris has passed away at the age of 70. Rest in Peace James. pic.twitter.com/7p0LUkkU4P
— Cauliflower Alley Club (@CACReunion) August 9, 2020
R.I.P. to the “Ugandan Giant Kamala”
(James Harris) Kamala was always a great character, I was always sort of fascinated/scared of his presence as a litte kid 👍 James outside of the ring was always a friendly and good guy 👍🤝🇺🇬🙏 pic.twitter.com/BJ6wtp9PNl— Harry Smith, “Davey Boy Smith JR” (@DBSmithjr) August 10, 2020
In interviews later in life, Harris said he found the gimmick fun and meant no harm. But he did often tell interviewers he was underpaid compared to other wrestlers at the time and treated poorly.
