The last surviving brother of Famous von Erich Wrestling Family Set a straightforward record of the curse that appears to have plagued the family.
Kevin von Erich has given viewers a full family history and the tragic deaths of each of his five brothers, Jack Jr. von Erich, Kelly von Erich, David von Erich, Mike von Erich, Chris von Erich on Monday’s episode of “The Hollywood Demon” about the discovery of the investigation.
The five brothers met an untimely death, and their lives were recently explored in the 2023 biography, “The Iron Claws.” Jack Jr. died at age 6 due to an electric shock. David died of acute enteritis at the age of 25. After that, Kelly, Mike and Chris become everything. Die by suicide.
To correct the record, Kevin described what really led to the family tragedy, pointing out the inaccuracy of the “iron claws.”
Ripped Zac Efron offers dropkicks in the wrestling ring.
Kevin von Erich has set a straightforward record of inaccuracies in his portrayal of Hollywood in his professional wrestling family. (Stewart Cook/Getty Images of A24)
With Kevin Von Erich dynasty He claimed that Kelly’s entire family (wife and daughter) had been excluded from “iron claws.” “Kelly in the film wasn’t a family man, but in real life he was,” Kevin explained in the docusary.
Kelly shared Katherine Murray and two daughters, Holly and Lacey von Erich. The two divorced before Kelly’s death, but they were together for most of Holly and Lacy’s childhood.
“My sister and I didn’t appear in the film like my father’s children. He didn’t have a wife. That was a really big part of my father,” Lacey said in the docusary. “How he was portrayed in the film was very inaccurate and heartbreaking.”
From left: Harris Dickinson, Zack Efron, Stanley Simons, and Jeremy Allen White’s “Iron Claws.” (A24)
Kelly’s family was not the only details missing from his story. In 1986, the wrestler suffered a serious leg injury during a motorcycle accident. “Iron Claw” portrayed Kelly’s amputation as a direct result of an accident, but that’s not true.
“There’s a scene in the film where Kelly gets into an accident, and the next time I see him, he doesn’t have a leg. That’s not what actually happened,” explained Dr. Drew Pinski. “He had a very serious crash injury to his leg, but he returned to the wrestling ring, damaged it more and decided to eventually amputate half of his leg.”
Kelly died of suicide in 1993 after a drug-related arrest. He was 33 years old.
Zac Efron is completely shredded for upcoming films about professional wrestler Kevin von Erich
Professional wrestler Fritz von Erich (pictured around 1963) built a wrestling dynasty with the sons of Kevin, Kelly, David, Mike and Chris. (Stanley Weston/Getty Images)
Most notably, “Iron Claws” Chris, the youngest brother of von Erich, was not included. “They left my brother Chris out of the film,” Kevin said. “The director combined Mike and Chris’ lives.”
Mike and Chris were the last two brothers to join the wrestling dynasty, but the youngest von Erich did not live up to his own expectations. Chris, diagnosed with asthma at a young age, had relied on steroids for medication. His brothers ranged from 6ft 1 to 6ft 7, but Chris went 5ft 5.
“Chris watched us grow, so we had an attitude that we would never stop, and you will succeed,” recalls Kevin. The professional wrestler and his brother Kelly encouraged Chris to go another path, but he wanted to be part of the family business. At age 18, he chose to train for wrestling. Chris used drugs to strengthen his body. “He would have done anything to become one of his business brothers,” the former von Erich bodyguard said. “And what it did wasn’t important to him.”
After fighting and building up a few months of professional wrestling image, Chris broke his arm in the ring during the 1990 fight, suffered from an asthma attack and was hospitalized. In September 1991, Chris died of suicide at the age of 21.
Mike died of suicide just four years ago in 1987 after being arrested for possession of DUI and marijuana. Shawn Durkin, director of “Iron Claws,” I spoke to variety Mike and Chris’ deaths have “repeats” that are likely to prevent the film from being made, leading to an “impossible choice” that does not include the tragedy of the youngest brother.
Fritz Von Erich is preparing to throw his partner Marino onto the mat during the match. (Getty Images)
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The family also opposed the portrayal of the patriarch Fritz as a villain.
“I understand why he was portrayed that way,” Kevin’s daughter, Kristen Nicholas, said. “People pointed out someone and said, “Why three people from the same family?” [die by] suicide? ‘”
“If it worked and everyone was still alive, then everyone was like, ‘It’s his dad’s fault. His dad really pushed him.’ But when it doesn’t work, it’s the first place to look for responsibility. ”
Kevin admitted that he “probably, in a way” had criticized his father for part of his family history, primarily for Kelly’s death.
“I’m so mad he didn’t call me,” he explained, referring to the call Kelly went to Fritz after expressing his thoughts on suicide. “But he lost his son, and that surpasses something else.”
Zac Efron starred as Kevin von Erich in “The Iron Claws.” (A24)
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At the end of the day, no one in the family blames the untimely death of Fritz or the infamous siblings Von Erich curse. “In the film, they say it’s a curse, a curse, a curse,” said Dave Manning, a wrestling promoter and family friend. “There was never a curse on von Erich. There were some bad choices and unfortunate deaths.”
Looking back at the deaths of their five brothers, Kevin explained what blames the infinite tragedy faced by the von Erich family.
Kevin von Erich and his family will be attending the premiere of “Iron Claws.” (Steven Simione/Filmmagic)
“We were the real bad guys in fact,” Kevin pointed out. “The weaknesses of our minds and our personality. We never quit and we never gave up. No matter what, it was a challenge to overcome. That way of thinking ultimately became dangerous, but that was how we thought it was.”
Kevin continued: “When I see the story and death, there were times when I didn’t want to wrestletter, but I didn’t want to give up. No matter how uncomfortable it was, it was family business. Brotherly love matters.
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“The Devil of Hollywood” airs Monday at 9pm with the discovery of the investigation.
