Person Open DS/UK/12838 Voiney; Gilbert "Gil" (1928-2003); French wrestler Voiney Gilbert "Gil" 1928-2003 French wrestler Male Gil Voiney | Max Mortier | The Grappling Gaul | Masked Gladiator

He claimed the World heavyweight title in December 1961 by virtue of a win over Lucky Simunovich. Travelled throughout Europe, Africa, the Far East, and the USA, where he was known as Max Mortier, and wrestled top men including Bruno Sammartino, Pat Connor and Eduard Carpentier. In the USA one of his frequent opponents was Mal Kirk. Returning to France in 1966 he retained his world title against the giant Hercules Cortez at Paris's Cirque D'Hiver, in a bout which made the mainstream sports pages of the French press. Fame brought him the glamorous role as Brigitte Bardot's bodyguard. In the early 1980s he appeared in the film 'Happy Easter' with Jean-Paul Belmondo and Sophie Marceau. www.wrestlingheritage.co.uk International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families - ISAAR(CPF) 2nd edition - ICA 2004 ISBN 2-9521932-2-3 National Council on Archives, Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997 Yes RAHdroberts 2/18/2014 Rachael.Fragola 3/1/2022 4b21f5df-a815-43e3-bd6e-6d57b236d107