Jim Londos

The most famous active athlete in the world during the Great Depression was not Babe Ruth, Sonja Henie or Babe Didrikson. It was a determined Greek immigrant who sailed across the Atlantic Ocean as a 15-year-old to escape a demanding father and start a life abroad. Jim Londos slept in railcars and firehouses to make ends meet and quickly found refuge on the mat.
Combining an Old World work ethic with a flair for the dramatic, Londos overcame skeptics and antagonists to become pro wrestling’s greatest star, an international celebrity who walked with presidents, prime ministers and the common man. He was responsible for keeping wrestling alive during the Depression and representing achievement to ethnic minorities, underdogs and women, all of whom he attracted in record numbers. This complete biography of Jim Londos tells the story of the first great immigrant athlete, a man who rescued the soiled sport of wrestling when it was down for the count, and brought hope and inspiration to his countrymen and millions worldwide.

Steven Johnson is a veteran newspaper, magazine, and digital reporter and editor in Mechanicsville, Virginia. He has won multiple awards for in-depth reporting and is co-author of five previous books on the history of professional wrestling.

Steven Johnson. Series Editor David L. Chapman
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 244
Bibliographic Info: 51 photos, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2025
pISBN: 978-1-4766-9687-4
eISBN: 978-1-4766-5480-5
Imprint: McFarland
Series: Studies in Strength and Physical Culture

Acknowledgments vii

Foreword by John “Bradshaw” Layfield 1

Introduction 5

 1. The First WrestleMania 9

 2. The Patris 20

 3. Coming of Age 31

 4. Identity Crisis 44

 5. The Strangler and Other Friends 55

 6. Promotional Considerations 67

 7. Great Expectations 80

 8. Waiting Game 94

 9. Explosion 108

10. Champion or Chattel? 124

11. Match of the Century 140

12. Wrestler to the World 155

13. Lemons and Avocados 169

14. Culture Clash 183

15. American Iliad 191

Chapter Notes 201

Bibliography 223

Index 229

• “Jim Londos: The Golden Greek of Professional Wrestling is a captivating read on many levels, and the title does not do it justice. From the perspective of a Greek-American and grandson of Greek immigrants, this is not a tale of athletic accomplishments. It is actually a recitation of the American Dream and a sociological study of how accomplishments in a field, such as athletics, can assist an ethnic immigrant group assimilate; in this case, the Greek-American immigrant of the first half of the 20th century. Steve Johnson captures not only the greatness and athletic achievements of an iconic athlete, but also wonderfully weaves such into the much bigger tapestry, the transformation of American life and the acceptance of ‘others’ into our mainstream. Well-done!”—Gregory J. Stamos, attorney and chairman, American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association Athletic Hall of Fame

• “There have been Nature Boys and Hulks, Stone Colds and Rocks—but only once in history has a wrestler been the most popular athlete on Earth, and his name was Jim Londos. Steven Johnson has written a meticulously researched masterwork on the man who rose from being one of a sea of faceless immigrants into one of the most famous faces in the world, while at the same time transforming pro wrestling from its gritty roots into entertainment for the masses. This is an important work on an important figure in American sports.”—Jim Cornette, author, podcaster, wrestling manager/producer/booker, The Jim Cornette Experience

• “Being of Greek heritage, I was keenly interested in Steve Johnson’s new book on ‘The Golden Greek’ Jim Londos. Johnson’s fascinating portrait of pro wrestling’s biggest box office attraction exceeded even my lofty expectations. His meticulous research and colorful account not only capture the spirit of Londos and his native country, but make a strong case for this revolutionary performer being one of the sport’s most influential figures.”—Mike Mooneyham, columnist, Post and Courier, author, The Final Bell, co-author, Sex, Lies and Headlocks

• “With unparalleled reporting and wonderful detail, Steve Johnson makes a convincing case that Jim Londos was not only the most important professional wrestler in history, but one of the most important figures on the American sports landscape. Londos was the original babyface, handsome, clean-cut and well-built, with preternatural athletic and dramatic abilities. In an age of behemoths, he stood only 5-8 and weighed 200 pounds, but he outdid them all. He saved pro wrestling from ruin and set the template that is followed to this day. Johnson deftly tells the riveting story of this remarkable immigrant who set out from Greece at age 15 to seize the American Dream and waged an epic rivalry with Ed ‘Strangler’ Lewis for wrestling’s ultimate crown. More than a wrestling book, this is a quintessential American story.”—Jeff Leen, author, The Queen of the Ring, retired Washington Post assistant managing editor for investigations

• “Jim Londos was one of pro wrestling’s greatest attractions, while also being one of the least understood and discussed among stars of his stature. That’s why I was excited to hear Steve Johnson was tackling his story. The Golden Greek unpacks his colorful life’s tale and how it fit into a wrestling world filled with ambitious rivals and manipulative promoters. It’s a great read and my hope is that it contributes to a greater awareness of the Greek-American icon.”—Todd Martin, VIP analyst, Pro Wrestling Torch