Nat Pendleton

Biography

Nathaniel Greene "Nat" Pendleton was a notable American athlete and actor who transitioned from the wrestling mat to the silver screen. Born on August 9, 1895, he showcased his wrestling prowess at Columbia University, where he became a two-time Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) champion in the 175-pound category in 1914 and 1915, graduating in 1916. Pendleton represented the United States at the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp, Belgium, where he secured a silver medal, narrowly losing one match due to a controversial decision.

Following his Olympic success, Pendleton ventured into professional wrestling, quickly gaining popularity and ultimately making his way to Hollywood. In the 1920 census, he resided in Manhattan with his first wife, Juanita Alfonzo, and her brother, Ramon. At that time, he was working as a sports manager.

Pendleton typically portrayed roles such as a circus strongman, brutish thug, or dim-witted cop in films. Despite these typecast roles, he held a college degree and even penned the script for the 1932 film "Deception," in which he starred as a wrestler.

Nat Pendleton passed away from a heart attack, and his remains were laid to rest at Cypress View Mausoleum and Crematory in San Diego, California. In 2006, he was honored as part of the inaugural class of the Columbia University Athletics Hall of Fame, recognizing his contributions to sports and entertainment.