What Happened to American Gladiators? Information Revealed
by Srinithi
Updated Jun 01, 2023
American Gladiators
American Gladiators was a popular American television show that aired on a weekly basis from September 1989 to May 1996. This exciting competition program pitted a group of amateur athletes against both their fellow contestants and the formidable "gladiators" of the show in a series of tests that evaluated their strength and agility. The immense popularity of American Gladiators inspired several other countries to create their own adaptations of the show.
What Happened to American Gladiators?
In March 2009, the television network NBC made the decision to cancel American Gladiators. The show faced the unfortunate fate of being discontinued primarily because of its poor ratings. Despite the initial excitement and popularity surrounding the show, it failed to sustain a strong viewership, leading to its ultimate cancellation. The declining ratings indicated a lack of audience interest and engagement, prompting NBC to make the difficult choice to end the series. This decision marked the conclusion of American Gladiators' run on television, bringing an end to the intense athletic competition and thrilling battles between the contenders and the mighty gladiators.
American Gladiators presented a formidable challenge for its contestants, who courageously confronted bodybuilders and athletes in tests of physical strength and endurance. However, recent developments suggest that the toll taken on the gladiators themselves was substantial, as revealed in two upcoming docuseries centered around the iconic '90s syndicated hit.
First in line is the thought-provoking two-part documentary, "30 for 30: The American Gladiators Documentary," where the show's cast and crew come together to reflect on their experiences. According to ESPN, their recollections are tinged with regret as they grapple with the profound impact the show had on many gladiators' lives.
Following that, Netflix unveils "Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators," a gripping five-episode series. This compelling production chronicles the show's meteoric rise, dramatic downfall, and captivating behind-the-scenes tales. Netflix tantalizes viewers by promising to unveil untold stories of the iconic American Gladiators, delving into their triumphs, hardships, and the steep price they paid for fame.
Jim Starr (“Laser”)
Following his time on Gladiators, Starr pursued a career as a personal trainer and assumed the role of Vice President of Product Development at 24 Hour Fitness, as stated in his interview with MontanaSports.com. Additionally, he held the position of Director of Product Development at Life Time Fitness, a renowned gym chain based in Minnesota. As further detailed on GladiatorsTV.com, Starr is the proud owner of Sports Nutrition Consulting Group.
Raye Hollitt (“Zap”)
Hollitt ventured into acting with a guest-starring arc on the CBS procedural JAG and a role in the UPN reality competition Manhunt. Currently, she is active as a personal trainer, massage therapist, and snowboard instructor, as stated in her Instagram bio.
Lee Reherman (“Hawk”)
Reherman, who sadly passed away in 2016 at the age of 49, found consistent work in Hollywood following the show. He made guest appearances on popular TV shows such as The X-Files, The Shield, NCIS, Jane the Virgin, and had recurring roles on Look and The First Family. Additionally, he hosted the shows Off-Road Overhaul and Hot Rod TV.
Galen Tomlinson (“Turbo”)
Tomlinson transitioned into a career as a high school volleyball coach and eventually became the head coach and director of a volleyball club in the San Diego area, according to GladiatorsTV.com. He also played a pivotal role in raising his niece, Carli Lloyd, who went on to become an Olympic volleyball player, starting from when she was just 4 years old, as reported by the Tampa Bay Times.
Lori Fetrick (“Ice”)
Lori Fetrick, known as "Ice" on the show, pursued a career in the financial industry with Transamerica, as mentioned on GladiatorsTV.com. She embarked on national tours, offering seminars on health and financial wellness, as noted by Sports Illustrated. Additionally, she hosts a podcast called "Chillin' With Ice," where she conducts interviews with her former Gladiators colleagues.
Dan Clark (“Nitro”)
Dan Clark, also known as "Nitro," authored the book "Gladiator: A True Story of 'Roids, Rage, and Redemption" in 2009, sharing his personal journey of steroid abuse. In 2010, he founded the 5K Gladiator Rock'n Run obstacle race. Furthermore, in 2017, he released another book titled "F Dying: How Cheating Death Kicked My Ass Into Loving, Learning, and Living My Best Life," which delves into his near-fatal heart attack in 2013.
Michael Horton (“Gemini”)
Michael Horton, known as "Gemini," moved on from his Gladiators fame to become a physical fitness consultant based in Los Angeles, according to Sports Illustrated. His son Wes pursued a career in football as a defensive end for the Carolina Panthers, while his other son Shane played football at the University of Southern California.
Sha-Ri Pendleton-Mitchell (“Blaze”)
Sha-Ri Pendleton-Mitchell, also known as "Blaze," became a substitute teacher and track coach in Bellflower, CA, as reported by Sports Illustrated. She is married to Rodney Mitchell, who was part of the syndicated Gladiators imitator show, Knights and Warriors. Their son, Re-al, currently serves as a quarterback for the University of San Diego.
Lynn “Red” Williams (“Sabre”)
Lynn "Red" Williams, known as "Sabre," continued his entertainment career after Gladiators. He portrayed Jax in the martial arts film Mortal Kombat: Annihilation and lent his voice to characters in the Saints Row video game series. As of the Sports Illustrated update, he was a proud grandfather of three and a scripture teacher in the Los Angeles area.
William “Billy” Smith (“Thunder”)
William "Billy" Smith, also known as "Thunder," passed away in 2021 at the age of 56. Following his time on Gladiators, he founded, presided over, and served as the CEO of Intrafitt Enterprises, as mentioned on GladiatorsTV.com. He also owned and operated a teaching facility called Intrafitt Total Health & Fitness Center.
What Happened to the Original?
The popular TV show Gladiators entertained audiences for eight seasons and was hosted by Ulrika Jonsson and John Fashanu. The premise of the show involved Gladiators competing against contestants in various events such as Hang Tough and the Duel. Each episode featured two male and two female contenders facing off against a Gladiator of the same gender. Now, 30 years after the show first aired, fans are curious about the whereabouts of some of its biggest stars.
Lightning - Kim Betts
One of the most notable Gladiators was Kim Betts, also known as Lightning. Kim was the only female Gladiator to appear throughout the entire duration of the show, from series one to eight. After her time on Gladiators, she pursued a career in bodybuilding and gained a loyal following on Instagram, where she showcases her continued fitness journey. Kim now runs multiple businesses, including a beauty parlour and fishery, and resides on a farm with her husband and children
Cobra – Michael Wilson
Another memorable Gladiator was Michael Wilson, who portrayed Cobra. Michael, a former boxer, remained with the show from start to finish. While on Gladiators, he was known for his impressive splits and high kicks. However, Michael faced personal challenges during his time on the show, including struggles with alcohol. Since leaving Gladiators, he has chosen to live a more private life and currently resides in the West Midlands. His current health condition is unknown after facing multiple health issues in recent years.
Diane Youdale
Diane Youdale, known as Jet, was a fan favorite and joined the show at the age of 22. She had trained as a choreographer before becoming a Gladiator and even released a single in 1994. Diane's time on Gladiators came to an end in 1996 when she suffered a 40ft fall during the Pole Axe stunt, resulting in a crushed nose and other injuries. Following her retirement from Gladiators, she pursued a career in television presenting, dance shows, and later trained as a psychiatrist.
Warren Furman
Warren Furman, also known as Ace, appeared on Gladiators from 1996 to 2000. During his time on the show, he openly discussed his steroid abuse. Warren gained additional media attention for his relationship with model Katie Price (then known as Jordan). However, Warren later underwent a significant transformation in his life, embracing Christianity and becoming an evangelist. He now shares his story and struggles, visiting schools and inspiring others with his faith.
James Crossley
James Crossley, known as Hunter, joined Gladiators at the age of 19 and remained with the show until its conclusion. He gained further recognition for his relationship with Ulrika Jonsson, the show's host. In addition to his athletic pursuits, James ventured into stage acting and toured in various theater productions. He also broke the world record for lifting the Dinnie Stones in 2018. Recently, James participated in the reality show The Circle, where he catfished as an NHS nurse named Gemma.
Helen O'Reilly
Helen O'Reilly, known as Panther, initially disliked sports as a child but later discovered a passion for fitness. After sustaining a serious neck and back injury from a fall during the Tilt event on Gladiators, she took a break from the show to recover. Helen eventually returned to the gym and competed in series five of Gladiators. Following her departure from the show, she continued to pursue her passion for fitness by setting up her own gym. Helen has since maintained a lower profile, with limited appearances on television.
Mike Lewis
Mike Lewis, also known as Saracen, joined Gladiators with his girlfriend (now wife) Chrissie in 1992. While Chrissie became the first contender, Mike became a Gladiator and remained with the show until the end. After his time on Gladiators, Mike transitioned to working as.
American Gladiators Background and history
The original concept of Gladiators was created in 1982 by Johnny C. Ferraro and Dan Carr. Carr took on the role of hosting the show and gathered the Gladiators, while Ferraro financed and produced the initial competition, which was filmed at Erie Tech High School in Erie, Pennsylvania. The purpose of filming the event was to showcase the new creation to potential buyers. In 1983, Ferraro financed, developed, and packaged American Gladiators as a movie project.
In 1984, Carr sold his literary interest in the concept to Flor-Jon Films. Throughout this time, Ferraro remained the driving force behind the American Gladiators brand, having been involved since 1982. In 1987, Flor-Jon Films licensed the rights to The Samuel Goldwyn Company (now part of MGM) for the unscripted version of the show. It's important to note that Ferraro is the sole creator of the 1994 kids' version of the series known as Gladiators 2000 or G2.
On May 4, 1995, ABC aired a special one-off primetime celebrity edition of American Gladiators called Superstar American Gladiators.
In 1993, Flor-Jon Films, Inc. and The Samuel Goldwyn Company granted a license to Chariot Entertainment with the intention of launching a live American Gladiators show on the Las Vegas Strip. However, due to the president of Chariot becoming embroiled in a securities fraud prosecution (which was unrelated to Flor-Jon Films or The Samuel Goldwyn Company), the live show never materialized.
What Happened to American Gladiators- FAQs
The original American Gladiators show ended its run in 1996 after seven seasons.
Yes, there have been revivals of American Gladiators. The first revival aired from 2008 to 2009, and the second revival premiered in 2020.
The American Gladiators show featured a competition between civilian contestants and a team of elite athletic performers known as the Gladiators. The contestants competed in various physical challenges and obstacle courses.
American Gladiators inspired the creation of similar shows in different countries, such as the British version called "Gladiators" and the Australian version called "Gladiators: The Legends Return."
Some popular events on American Gladiators included "The Eliminator" (a final obstacle course), "Joust" (a battle on elevated platforms using pugil sticks), "Powerball" (a game involving scoring points by throwing balls into baskets), and "Hang Tough" (a game of aerial combat on hanging rings).