Rick Rude Rude at an Extreme Championship Wrestling television taping in October 1997 Birth name Richard Erwin Rood Born (1958-12-07)December 7, 1958[1] St. Peter, Minnesota, United States Died April 20, 1999(1999-04-20) (aged 40)[1] Alpharetta, Georgia, United States Cause of death Heart failure Alma mater Anoka-Ramsey Community College Spouse(s) Cheryl Holler (m. 1976; div. 1982) Michelle Rood (m. 1988; his death 1999) Children 3 Professional wrestling career Ring name(s) Rick Rude[1] Ricky Rood The WCW Phantom[1] Billed height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[2] Billed weight 251 lb (114 kg)[2] Billed from Robbinsdale, Minnesota, United States[2] Trained by Eddie Sharkey[1][3][4] Debut 1982[3] Retired 1994