About The Sheik (wrestler)
Edward George Farhat (June 7, 1926 – January 18, 2003) was an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name The Sheik. In wrestling, Farhat, whose career debuted in 1947, is credited as one of the originators of the hardcore style, is also retroactively called The Original Sheik, mostly to distinguish him from the similarly named Iron Sheik who debuted in 1972. In addition to his in-ring career, he was also the promoter of Big Time Wrestling, which promoted shows at Cobo Hall in Detroit until the 1980s, and was the booker for Frank Tunney's shows at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto from 1971 to 1977. Farhat is the uncle of Extreme Championship Wrestling alumnus Sabu, who he also trained. == Early life == Edward George Farhat was born on June 7, 1926, to a Lebanese family in Lansing, Michigan. He was one of eleven children; unlike most of his older brothers, Edward did not attend college, though some sources erroneously report that he did. The confusion is likely the result of his similarly named older brother Edmund having attended college. Edward quit school in the eighth grade and worked odd jobs during the Great Depression. His family would find jobs in Michigan metal foundries and auto plants. During World War II, he falsified his records in an unsuccessful attempt to join the United States Marines Corps while he was still underage, likely using his older brother Edmund's birth certificate.
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.