Dory Funk Jr. was an American professional wrestler and wrestling trainer widely regarded as one of the greatest and most respected figures in the history of the sport. A member of the legendary Funk wrestling dynasty, he held the NWA World Heavyweight Championship for more than four years, the second-longest unbroken reign in the title’s history, and became renowned worldwide for his technical mastery and toughness. In a career spanning seven decades, he also trained countless future stars at his own wrestling school. A WWE Hall of Famer and the last surviving member of his famous family, he died on 4 August 2026 at the age of 85.
Dory Funk Jr Biography, Wiki
| Field | Details |
| Full Name | Dorrance Earnest Funk |
| Ring Names | Dory Funk Jr.; Hoss Funk; The Long Tall Texan |
| Date of Birth | 3 February 1941 |
| Date of Death | 4 August 2026 (aged 85) |
| Birthplace | Hammond, Indiana, United States |
| Associated With | Amarillo, Texas; Ocala, Florida |
| Nationality | American |
| Billed Height | 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) |
| Billed Weight | Around 240 pounds (109 kg) |
| Profession | Professional wrestler; wrestling trainer and promoter |
| Known For | His long NWA World Championship reign and training future stars |
| Debut | 1963 |
| Retired | 2024 |
| Father | Dory Funk Sr., a wrestling champion |
| Brother | Terry Funk, a wrestling legend (died 2023) |
| Wife | Marti Funk (married 1989) |
| Children | Five |
| Wrestling School | The Funking Conservatory |
| Hall of Fame | WWE Hall of Fame (2009); NWA Hall of Fame (2006) |
Dory Funk Jr Championships And Details
| Honour | Detail |
| NWA World Heavyweight Championship | Once, held for 1,563 days (1969 to 1973) |
| Reign ranking | Second-longest unbroken NWA World title reign, after Lou Thesz |
| WWC Universal Heavyweight Championship | Once |
| CWA World Heavyweight Championship | Once |
| Tag team success | Multiple titles, often with brother Terry Funk |
| NWA Hall of Fame | Inducted 2006 |
| WWE Hall of Fame | Inducted 2009, with brother Terry |
| Innovation | Credited with the Texas cloverleaf submission hold |
Dory Funk Jr Events
| Year | Event |
| 3 February 1941 | Born in Hammond, Indiana |
| 1963 | Made his professional wrestling debut |
| 1969 | Won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship from Gene Kiniski |
| 1973 | Lost the title to Harley Race after more than four years |
| 1986 | Wrestled in the WWF as Hoss Funk, appearing at WrestleMania 2 |
| 1990s onward | Founded and ran the Funking Conservatory training school |
| 2009 | Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame with brother Terry |
| 2024 | Retired from in-ring competition |
| 4 August 2026 | Died at the age of 85 |
Dory Funk Jr. Early Life and Family
Dory Funk Jr. was born Dorrance Earnest Funk on 3 February 1941 in Hammond, Indiana, into what would become one of the most storied families in professional wrestling. His father, Dory Funk Sr., was himself a wrestling champion, and his younger brother, Terry Funk, became a beloved and iconic performer in his own right. Raised in the world of wrestling and drawn to follow in his father’s footsteps, he grew up around Amarillo, Texas, territory that the family would come to run.
Dory Funk Jr.’s Father and Brother
His father, Dory Funk Sr., was an NWA champion and promoter, and his brother, Terry Funk, enjoyed a legendary five-decade career. The two brothers became the only siblings in history to each hold the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Terry Funk died in August 2023, leaving Dory as the last surviving member of the immediate Funk wrestling family until his own death.
Dory Funk Jr. Wrestling Career
Dory Funk Jr.’s Rise and NWA Title
Dory Funk Jr. made his professional debut in 1963 and rose swiftly through the ranks with a disciplined, technical, hard-nosed style. On 11 February 1969, in Tampa, Florida, he won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, then the sport’s most prestigious singles title, from Gene Kiniski. He held the championship for 1,563 days, more than four and a half years, until May 1973, when he lost it to Harley Race. That reign stands as the second-longest unbroken NWA World title reign in history, behind only the great Lou Thesz.
Dory Funk Jr. Around the World
As champion and beyond, Dory Funk Jr. wrestled and promoted matches across the United States and, most notably, in Japan, where he became a major star and helped shape the sport’s success internationally. Alongside his brother Terry, he formed a celebrated tag team, and the pair won titles in territories across America and enjoyed great success in Japan, including multiple triumphs in All Japan Pro Wrestling’s premier tag tournament. Together with Terry he also took over the promotion of the family’s Amarillo territory following their father’s death.
Dory Funk Jr. in the WWF
In 1986, Dory Funk Jr. had a run in the World Wrestling Federation, where he was billed as Hoss Funk. Teaming with his brother Terry, he competed at WrestleMania 2, defeating the team of Tito Santana and the Junkyard Dog, before departing the promotion later that year. His time on that stage introduced his rugged, old-school style to a new national audience.
Dory Funk Jr. as a Trainer
Beyond his in-ring achievements, Dory Funk Jr. built an enormous legacy as a teacher of the sport. He and his wife, Marti, founded and ran the Funking Conservatory, a wrestling school through which he developed the celebrated “Dory Funk Method” of training. His first experience as a trainer came in the 1970s, when he helped groom the future Japanese star Jumbo Tsuruta, and over the following decades he trained or mentored a remarkable roster of future stars, including Kurt Angle, Edge, Christian, the Hardy Boyz, Mark Henry and Mickie James, cementing his influence on generations of wrestlers.
Dory Funk Jr.’s Legacy and Honours
Dory Funk Jr. is remembered as a consummate craftsman and a foundational figure in professional wrestling. He is credited with inventing the Texas cloverleaf submission hold, and his rugged in-ring style and technical excellence set a standard for the sport. He was inducted into the NWA Hall of Fame in 2006 and, alongside his brother Terry, into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009. Wrestling leaders hailed him as a true legend whose contributions, both as a performer who helped expose the sport to vast audiences in North America and Asia and as a trainer, continue to be felt and celebrated.
Dory Funk Jr. Personal Life
Dory Funk Jr. was married twice, first to Jimmie Funk and, from 1989, to Marti Funk, who became his partner in running the Funking Conservatory, and he had five children. In his later years he was based in Ocala, Florida, where he ran his wrestling school and its associated local show, remaining active in and devoted to the business he loved for the whole of his long life.
Dory Funk Jr. Height and Physical Profile
Dory Funk Jr. was billed at 6 feet 2 inches, or 1.88 metres, tall and around 240 pounds. His combination of size, conditioning and technical skill made him a formidable and durable competitor throughout his lengthy career.
Dory Funk Jr. Net Worth and Earnings
A reliable figure for Dory Funk Jr.’s net worth is not a significant part of the public record, and this profile does not put forward one. His income over his long career came from his decades as a wrestler and promoter and from his wrestling school, and his enduring significance lies in his championship legacy and his influence as a trainer rather than in documented wealth.
| Source | Detail |
| Net worth | Not reliably documented |
| Main income sources | His wrestling and promoting career and his training school |
Dory Funk Jr. Social Media
Dory Funk Jr. maintained a public presence around his wrestling school and his career, sharing training content and appearances with his following.
| Platform | Handle | Notes |
| Website | dory-funk.com | The Funking Conservatory and his archives |
| Social media | Present under his name and school | Training and event updates |
Dory Funk Jr. Controversies
No significant personal controversy involving Dory Funk Jr. surfaced in the material examined for this profile. He was widely regarded as one of the most respected figures in his sport, and coverage of him has focused on his championship legacy, his family dynasty and his work as a trainer rather than on any scandal.
Lesser Known Facts About Dory Funk Jr.
- He held the NWA World Championship for 1,563 days, the second-longest reign ever.
- He and his brother Terry are the only siblings to each hold the NWA World title.
- He is widely recognized as the inventor of the Texas Cloverleaf submission hold.
- He wrestled as Hoss Funk in the WWF and appeared at WrestleMania 2.
- He trained future stars including Kurt Angle, Edge and the Hardy Boyz.
- He was the last surviving member of the immediate Funk wrestling family.
- Alongside his brother, he became a WWE Hall of Fame inductee in 2009.
Dory Funk Jr. FAQ
Who was Dory Funk Jr.?
He was an American professional wrestler and trainer, a long-reigning NWA World Heavyweight Champion and WWE Hall of Famer from the legendary Funk wrestling family.
When was Dory Funk Jr. born, and when did he die?
He was born on 3 February 1941 and died on 4 August 2026, at the age of 85.
What was Dory Funk Jr. famous for?
He became well known for his NWA World Championship reign of over four years, the second-longest ever, as well as for training many future wrestlers.
How long did Dory Funk Jr. hold the NWA title?
He held the NWA World Heavyweight Championship for 1,563 days, from 1969 to 1973.
Who was Dory Funk Jr.’s brother?
His brother was the wrestling legend Terry Funk, and the two are the only siblings to each hold the NWA World title.
Did Dory Funk Jr. train other wrestlers?
Through his Funking Conservatory, he trained future stars such as Kurt Angle, Edge, Christian, the Hardy Boyz, Mark Henry, and Mickie James.
Was Dory Funk Jr. in the WWE Hall of Fame?
Yes, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009, alongside his brother Terry.
Where was Dory Funk Jr. from?
He was born in Hammond, Indiana, and was long associated with Amarillo, Texas, and later Ocala, Florida.
What move is Dory Funk Jr. credited with inventing?
He is recognized as the creator of the Texas Cloverleaf submission hold.
Did Dory Funk Jr. wrestle in Japan?
Yes, he was a major star in Japan and helped grow professional wrestling’s success there.
Sources
NBC News, WWE Hall of Famer Dory Funk Jr. dead at 85,
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/wwe-hall-famer-dory-funk-jr-dead-85-rcna590868
Fox 2 Detroit, Dory Funk Jr., former NWA champion and WWE Hall of Famer, dies at 85,
https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/dory-funk-jr-former-nwa-champion-wwe-hall-famer-dies-85
TSN, Wrestling icon Dory Funk Jr. dead at 85,
https://www.tsn.ca/wrestling/article/wrestling-icon-funk-dead-at-85/
TMZ, WWE Hall of Famer Dory Funk Jr. Dead at 85,
https://www.tmz.com/2026/08/04/dory-funk-jr-dead/