William Joe Varga (January 10, 1919 – January 11, 2013), billed as Count Billy Varga, was an American professional wrestler and actor. He was born to Rose and Joe Varga; his father was a professional wrestler in Europe known as Count Joseph Varga and taught his son wrestling at the age of five. He attended Hollywood High School and graduated from the University of Southern California. Varga won the world's light-heavyweight title in 1941 and later joined the Navy until he arrived home in 1947. Varga's wrestling career began to wind down in the 1970s as he was busy in television and movie work.
Personal life Varga married Rosabelle Varga who died in 1992. He resided in Northridge, California. He had three sons, Billy, Courtland and Royce, all of whom preceded him in death, and five grandchildren. He suffered from Alzheimer's disease by the beginning of 2005 and died in 2013.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1949 Alias the Champ Wrestler 1949 Bodyhold Marvelous Milton 1953 The Abbott and Costello Show The Big Guy 1953 Miss Sadie Thompson Marine Uncredited1955 Abbott and Costello Meet the Keystone Kops Guy outside theater that throws Bud Uncredited1960 Shotgun Slade Snag Episode: "The Smell of Money"1961 It Started in Tokyo Mark Uncredited1962 Convicts 4 Guard #7 1962 The Jack Benny Program Himself Episode: "The Story of Jack Referees Wrestling Match"1964 The Munsters Strangler Murphy Episode: "Herman the Great"1965 Burke's Law The Count Uncredited, Episode: "Who Killed the Strangler?"1973 Oklahoma Crude Cook 1976 Ellery Queen Security Guard Episode: "The Adventure of the Tyrant of Tin Pan Alley"1980 Raging Bull Ring announcer - Third Robinson Fight 1985 Grunt! The Wrestling Movie Coach Rocko 1985Pro Wrestling Finishing Holds Vol. 1 with Gene LeBellSelf1986 Bad Guys Referee 1986 Stewardess School Fight Manager 1991 Alligator II: The Mutation Announcer (final film role)
Championships and accomplishments 50th State Big Time Wrestling NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Championship (1 time) NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Sam Steamboat NWA Hollywood Wrestling NWA International Television Tag Team Championship (3 times) - with Hardy Kruskamp (2 times) and Mario LaPentero (1 time)
References
External links
RIP: Count Billy Varga at Cauliflower Alley Club