Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Leon "Big Van Vader" White, Dead at 63


Former WWE superstar Vader aka Leon White has died at age 63 from heart complications.

All of us likely know him best (or, I don't know, maybe you guys like wrestling more than I) from the three episodes he appeared in  of Boy Meets World. It was an interesting situation where he was playing himself, Vader. Except Vader wasn't named Leon White, he was named Francis Stecchino Sr. (or Leslie, depending on the episode) and he lived in a trailer park in suburban Philly (despite... being a famous professional wrestler) and was Frankie Stecchino's father. 

He was a hoot in all three of his episodes, but is likely best remembered for his final episode, "Sixteen Candles and a 400 Pound Man" which focused on his strained relationship with Frankie. Here's an interesting interview with Michael Jacobs, focusing on his appearance. 

 I couldn't find a good clip of that on YouTube, so here's him in his second most memorable episode, "The Thrilla in Phila". Rest In Peace, Vader!