‘Beyond The Mat’ Director Barry Blaustein Passes Away
Director, producer, and writer Barry Blaustein has passed away at age 72.
He death was announced by Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, where he was a longtime professor. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2016, and told last month that he had stage four pancreatic cancer.
Wrestling fans know Blaustein as the writer, narrator, director, and producer of the 1999 documentary “Beyond The Mat,” which Blaustein called his favorite thing he’s ever done. The documentary followed the likes of Mick Foley and Terry Funk, giving a look inside WWE, ECW, and other promotions. It was one of the 12 finalists for the Oscar for best documentary.
Outside of wrestling, Blaustein collaborated with Eddie Murphy on “Saturday Night Live,” helping write Buckwheat, Gumby and Mr. Robinson sketches and the Coming to America and Nutty Professor films.
On behalf of Fightful, we send condolences to the family, friends, and fans of Blaustein.
