Ivan Linow (born Jānis Linaus; November 21, 1888 – November 11, 1940), also known as Jack Linow, was a Latvian-born American wrestler, who became a character actor in American films during the silent and early sound film eras.
Born in Latvia on November 21, 1888,[1] Linow began wrestling in the United States in 1918. Between 1918 and 1933, he participated in 92 matches, with a record of 38 wins and 23 losses.[2] Linow's monikers in the ring were "the Cossack" and the "Russian Man-Eater".[3] During his wrestling career, he faced other notable wrestlers of that era, such as Joe Stecher and Ed Lewis.[4]
Using his popularity as a wrestler, Linow entered the film industry during the 1920s, his first film being Cappy Ricks (1921).[5] In his fifteen-year acting career, he appeared in over forty films in supporting and bit parts.[6][7] While appearing in films, Linow continued his wrestling career. In his final match in July 1931, under the pseudonym Jack Leon, he defeated Young Sandow.[4][8] Linow retired from films two years later, in 1935; his final film was The Black Room, starring Boris Karloff.[9] On November 21, 1940, while in London, Linow died of a heart attack.[10]
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