Shad Gaspard obit

WWE's Shad Gaspard dies saving his son

He was not on the list.

The body of former WWE star Shad Gaspard has been found on Venice Beach in Los Angeles after he went missing while swimming with his son.

The 39-year-old got caught in a rip tide with 10-year-old Aryeh on May 17.

His son was rescued but lifeguards couldn't save Shad.

"Shad drowned in the ocean," posted Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, "but not before instructing lifeguards to save his son first. That's the love of a father."

He goes on to say Shad was a "great guy" and offered his "deepest condolences and love to his wife, son and family".

"This one hurts," he adds.

Shad's wife Siliana had thanked the authorities for rescuing her son as the search continued for her husband. "Shad is a fighter, a warrior and a magical soul. We are hoping and praying for his safe return."

But at 2.19am on Wednesday, lifeguards responded to reports of a body along the Venice beach shoreline in LA.

Later coroners confirmed it was Shad.

"I join fans around the world as we remember Shad Gaspard as a beloved performer and a caring father," tweeted WWE icon Triple H.

    I join fans around the world as we remember Shad Gaspard as a beloved performer and a caring father. In absolutely tragic circumstances, please keep his loved ones in your thoughts. https://t.co/JibfmJJMcC

    — Triple H (@TripleH) May 20, 2020

The 6ft 7in wrestler, originally known as Da Beast featured in Tag team Cryme Tyme with partner JTG.

Skip Instagram post by jtg121084

"Not the ending we wanted to hear," posted fellow wrestler Tyrus. "We can now mourn and celebrate his life as the hero the father the "beast".

"You are the definition of what it's meant to be a father, you gave your life without hesitation to save your son."

After leaving WWE ten years ago, Shad Gaspard pursued an acting career in TV and films and had small roles in various movies including 2015's Get Hard with Kevin Hart and Will Ferrell.

WWE legend Dave Bautista cried as his paid tribute: "He liked to walk into a room and cause a ruckus - he was that dude, he was bigger than life."

Skip Instagram post by davebautista

He'd last seen him on the red carpet of the MTV awards: "I feel like he was just starting to make headway with films and now he's gone and he won't ever have the chance to live out his dreams.

"You should be inspired by his journey and inspired by his final sacrifice."

Filmography

Film Year             Title       Role       Notes

2012      Petunia                 XL          

2014      Think Like a Man Too      The Goldenrod

2015      Get Hard              Big Ass Julian     

2015      Brothers               Ronnie Cross     

2015      My First Miracle                Jack       

2016      Officer Downe   Brick     

2017      Welcome to Willits          Captain Carter  

2017      Sandy Wexler     N/A        Performed stunts

2019      Bolden Aaron Harris      

2020      Birds of Prey       N/A        Performed stunts

Television Year Title       Role       Notes

2012      The Game           Shad      2 episodes

2012      The Exes              Warren                 1 episode

2013      Big Time Rush    Marcus 1 episode

2014      The Haunted Hathaways               Officer Bugliari 2 episodes

2014–2015          Key & Peele        Actor     2 episodes

2015      Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn           Lou         1 episode

2016      From Dusk till Dawn: The Series Olmeca                 3 episodes

2017      In the Cut            Tony      2 episodes

2018      The Last Sharknado: It's About Time         Muhammad Ali TV Movie

Video games Year            Title       Notes

2016      Batman: The Enemy Within         Motion capture stunts for Bane

2018      God of War         Motion capture for Kratos