Portrait of Sylvester Ritter

Sylvester Ritter

Bio: Sylvester Ritter was an American professional wrestler and professional football player, best known for his work in Mid-South Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation as The Junkyard Dog (or JYD for short), a nickname Ritter received while working in a wrecking yard. Entering the ring with his trademark chain attached to a dog collar, to the music of Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust," JYD regularly headlined cards that sold out the Louisiana Superdome and other major venues, becoming "the first blackwrestler to be made the undisputed top star of his promotion"
Born: Sat, Dec 13 1952
Birthplace: Wadesboro, North Carolina, USA

Death: Tue, Jun 02 1998
Sylvester Ritter is 45 years old
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Movies (Acting Roles)

Sorted by Release Date
Poster of Biography: Wrestlemania I
Biography: Wrestlemania I
Sylvester Ritter would have been no older than
45 in Biography: Wrestlemania I
as 'Self (archival footage) - The Junkyard Dog'.
Sun, Sep 04 2022
Poster of Andre the Giant
Andre the Giant
Sylvester Ritter would have been no older than
45 in Andre the Giant
as 'Self (archive footage)'.
Tue, Apr 10 2018
Poster of Legends of Mid-South Wrestling
Legends of Mid-South Wrestling
Sylvester Ritter would have been no older than
45 in Legends of Mid-South Wrestling
as 'Junkyard Dog / Stagger Lee'.
Tue, Sep 10 2013
Poster of The True Story of WrestleMania
The True Story of WrestleMania
Sylvester Ritter would have been no older than
45 in The True Story of WrestleMania
as 'Junkyard Dog'.
Sun, Mar 13 2011
Poster of WWE: Top 50 Superstars of All Time
WWE: Top 50 Superstars of All Time
Sylvester Ritter would have been no older than
45 in WWE: Top 50 Superstars of All Time
as 'Junkyard Dog'.
Tue, Dec 07 2010
Poster of WWE: Legends of Wrestling - Jerry the King Lawler and Junkyard Dog
WWE: Legends of Wrestling - Jerry the King Lawler and Junkyard Dog
Sylvester Ritter would have been no older than
45 in WWE: Legends of Wrestling - Jerry the King Lawler and Junkyard Dog
Tue, Aug 24 2010
Poster of WWE: The Best of Saturday Night's Main Event
WWE: The Best of Saturday Night's Main Event
Sylvester Ritter would have been no older than
45 in WWE: The Best of Saturday Night's Main Event
as 'Junkyard Dog'.
Tue, Feb 10 2009
Poster of Giants, Midgets, Heroes and Villains II
Giants, Midgets, Heroes and Villains II
Sylvester Ritter would have been no older than
45 in Giants, Midgets, Heroes and Villains II
as 'The Junkyard Dog'.
Tue, Jan 22 2008
Poster of Mid-South Wrestling Giants, Midgets, Heroes & Villains vol. 1
Mid-South Wrestling Giants, Midgets, Heroes & Villains vol. 1
Sylvester Ritter would have been no older than
45 in Mid-South Wrestling Giants, Midgets, Heroes & Villains vol. 1
as 'The Junkyard Dog'.
Tue, Jul 31 2007
Poster of WWE: The Ladder Match
WWE: The Ladder Match
Sylvester Ritter would have been no older than
45 in WWE: The Ladder Match
as 'Big Daddy Ritter'.
Tue, Jun 05 2007
Poster of Heroes of World Class
Heroes of World Class
Sylvester Ritter would have been no older than
45 in Heroes of World Class
as 'Junkyard Dog'.
Tue, Dec 26 2006
Poster of WWE: Hulk Hogan: The Ultimate Anthology
WWE: Hulk Hogan: The Ultimate Anthology
Sylvester Ritter would have been no older than
45 in WWE: Hulk Hogan: The Ultimate Anthology
as 'Junkyard Dog'.
Tue, Oct 17 2006
Poster of WWE Hall of Fame 2004
WWE Hall of Fame 2004
Sylvester Ritter would have been no older than
45 in WWE Hall of Fame 2004
Fri, Mar 12 2004
Poster of ECW Wrestlepalooza 1998
ECW Wrestlepalooza 1998
Sylvester Ritter was
45 in ECW Wrestlepalooza 1998
as 'Junkyard Dog (Honoree)'.
Sun, May 03 1998
Poster of The Life And Times of Paul Boesch
The Life And Times of Paul Boesch
Sylvester Ritter was
41 in The Life And Times of Paul Boesch
as 'Junkyard Dog (archive footage)'.
Fri, Apr 01 1994
Poster of WCW WrestleWar 1991
WCW WrestleWar 1991
Sylvester Ritter was
38 in WCW WrestleWar 1991
as 'The Junkyard Dog'.
Sun, Feb 24 1991
Poster of WCW Halloween Havoc '90
WCW Halloween Havoc '90
Sylvester Ritter was
37 in WCW Halloween Havoc '90
as 'Junkyard Dog'.
Sat, Oct 27 1990
Poster of WCW Great American Bash '90: New Revolution
WCW Great American Bash '90: New Revolution
Sylvester Ritter was
37 in WCW Great American Bash '90: New Revolution
as 'The Junkyard Dog'.
Sat, Jul 07 1990
Poster of WCW Clash of The Champions XI: Coastal Crush
WCW Clash of The Champions XI: Coastal Crush
Sylvester Ritter was
37 in WCW Clash of The Champions XI: Coastal Crush
as 'The Junkyard Dog'.
Wed, Jun 13 1990
Poster of WCW Clash of The Champions VI: Ragin' Cajun
WCW Clash of The Champions VI: Ragin' Cajun
Sylvester Ritter was
36 in WCW Clash of The Champions VI: Ragin' Cajun
as 'The Junkyard Dog'.
Sun, Apr 02 1989
Poster of WCW Clash of The Champions V: St. Valentine's Massacre
WCW Clash of The Champions V: St. Valentine's Massacre
Sylvester Ritter was
36 in WCW Clash of The Champions V: St. Valentine's Massacre
as 'The Junkyard Dog'.
Wed, Feb 15 1989
Poster of NWA Starrcade '88: True Gritt
NWA Starrcade '88: True Gritt
Sylvester Ritter was
36 in NWA Starrcade '88: True Gritt
as 'The Junkyard Dog'.
Mon, Dec 26 1988
Poster of WCW Clash of The Champions IV: Season's Beatings
WCW Clash of The Champions IV: Season's Beatings
Sylvester Ritter was
35 in WCW Clash of The Champions IV: Season's Beatings
as 'The Junkyard Dog (Appearance)'.
Wed, Dec 07 1988
Poster of WWE U.K. Rampage 1988
WWE U.K. Rampage 1988
Sylvester Ritter was
35 in WWE U.K. Rampage 1988
as 'The Junkyard Dog'.
Fri, Oct 07 1988
Poster of WWE SummerSlam 1988
WWE SummerSlam 1988
Sylvester Ritter was
35 in WWE SummerSlam 1988
as 'The Junkyard Dog'.
Mon, Aug 29 1988
Poster of Hulkamania 3
Hulkamania 3
Sylvester Ritter was
35 in Hulkamania 3
as 'The Junkyard Dog'.
Sat, Aug 27 1988
Poster of The Best of the WWF: volume 16 Around the World
The Best of the WWF: volume 16 Around the World
Sylvester Ritter was
35 in The Best of the WWF: volume 16 Around the World
as 'The Junkyard Dog'.
Wed, Jul 27 1988
Poster of WWE WrestleMania IV
WWE WrestleMania IV
Sylvester Ritter was
35 in WWE WrestleMania IV
as 'The Junkyard Dog'.
Sun, Mar 27 1988
Poster of WWE Royal Rumble
WWE Royal Rumble
Sylvester Ritter was
35 in WWE Royal Rumble
as 'The Junkyard Dog'.
Sun, Jan 24 1988
Poster of The Best of the WWF: volume 14
The Best of the WWF: volume 14
Sylvester Ritter was
35 in The Best of the WWF: volume 14
as 'The Junkyard Dog'.
Tue, Dec 15 1987
Poster of WWE Houston Wrestling: December '87
WWE Houston Wrestling: December '87
Sylvester Ritter was
34 in WWE Houston Wrestling: December '87
as 'The Junkyard Dog'.
Fri, Dec 11 1987
Poster of WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: November '87
WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: November '87
Sylvester Ritter was
34 in WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: November '87
as 'The Junkyard Dog'.
Sun, Nov 01 1987
Poster of WWE Houston Wrestling: The Paul Boesch Retirement Show
WWE Houston Wrestling: The Paul Boesch Retirement Show
Sylvester Ritter was
34 in WWE Houston Wrestling: The Paul Boesch Retirement Show
as 'The Junkyard Dog'.
Fri, Aug 28 1987
Poster of The Best of the WWF: volume 11
The Best of the WWF: volume 11
Sylvester Ritter was
34 in The Best of the WWF: volume 11
as 'The Junkyard Dog'.
Wed, Jun 24 1987
Poster of WWE WrestleMania III
WWE WrestleMania III
Sylvester Ritter was
34 in WWE WrestleMania III
as 'The Junkyard Dog'.
Sun, Mar 29 1987
Poster of The Best of the WWF: volume 10
The Best of the WWF: volume 10
Sylvester Ritter was
34 in The Best of the WWF: volume 10
as 'The Junkyard Dog'.
Sun, Mar 01 1987
Poster of WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: January '87
WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: January '87
Sylvester Ritter was
34 in WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: January '87
as 'The Junkyard Dog'.
Sun, Jan 11 1987
Poster of Bob Uecker's Wacky World of Sports
Bob Uecker's Wacky World of Sports
Sylvester Ritter was
34 in Bob Uecker's Wacky World of Sports
as 'The Junkyard Dog'.
Thu, Jan 01 1987
Poster of WWE Houston Wrestling: November '86
WWE Houston Wrestling: November '86
Sylvester Ritter was
33 in WWE Houston Wrestling: November '86
as 'The Junkyard Dog'.
Wed, Nov 26 1986
Poster of The Best of the WWF: volume 9
The Best of the WWF: volume 9
Sylvester Ritter was
33 in The Best of the WWF: volume 9
as 'The Junkyard Dog'.
Wed, Oct 15 1986
Poster of WWE The Big Event
WWE The Big Event
Sylvester Ritter was
33 in WWE The Big Event
as 'The Junkyard Dog'.
Wed, Aug 27 1986
Poster of The Best of the WWF: volume 8
The Best of the WWF: volume 8
Sylvester Ritter was
33 in The Best of the WWF: volume 8
as 'The Junkyard Dog'.
Wed, Aug 20 1986
Poster of WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: May '86
WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: May '86
Sylvester Ritter was
33 in WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: May '86
as 'The Junkyard Dog'.
Sun, May 04 1986
Poster of WrestleMania II
WrestleMania II
Sylvester Ritter was
33 in WrestleMania II
as 'The Junkyard Dog'.
Mon, Apr 07 1986
Poster of WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: March '86
WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: March '86
Sylvester Ritter was
33 in WWE Maple Leaf Wrestling: March '86
as 'The Junkyard Dog'.
Sun, Mar 23 1986
Poster of The Wrestling Classic
The Wrestling Classic
Sylvester Ritter was
32 in The Wrestling Classic
as 'The Junkyard Dog'.
Thu, Nov 07 1985
Poster of WrestleMania
WrestleMania
Sylvester Ritter was
32 in WrestleMania
as 'The Junkyard Dog'.
Sun, Mar 31 1985
Poster of Bob Uecker's Wacky World of Sports
Bob Uecker's Wacky World of Sports
Sylvester Ritter was
32 in Bob Uecker's Wacky World of Sports
as 'The Junkyard Dog (archive footage)'.
Fri, Mar 01 1985
Poster of The WWF's Most Unusual Matches
The WWF's Most Unusual Matches
Sylvester Ritter was
32 in The WWF's Most Unusual Matches
as 'The Junkyard Dog'.
Tue, Jan 01 1985
Poster of WWF's Biggest, Smallest, Strangest, Strongest
WWF's Biggest, Smallest, Strangest, Strongest
Sylvester Ritter was
32 in WWF's Biggest, Smallest, Strangest, Strongest
as 'Junkyard Dog'.
Tue, Jan 01 1985
Poster of WWE Wrestling at The Meadowlands: December '84
WWE Wrestling at The Meadowlands: December '84
Sylvester Ritter was
31 in WWE Wrestling at The Meadowlands: December '84
as 'The Junkyard Dog'.
Mon, Dec 10 1984
Poster of WWE St. Louis Wrestling: September '84
WWE St. Louis Wrestling: September '84
Sylvester Ritter was
31 in WWE St. Louis Wrestling: September '84
as 'The Junkyard Dog'.
Sat, Sep 01 1984
Poster of NWA Lords of The Ring
NWA Lords of The Ring
Sylvester Ritter was
31 in NWA Lords of The Ring
as 'The Junkyard Dog'.
Sat, Jun 30 1984
Poster of WCCW Parade of Champions
WCCW Parade of Champions
Sylvester Ritter was
31 in WCCW Parade of Champions
as 'The Junkyard Dog'.
Sun, May 06 1984
Poster of NWA Boogie Jam
NWA Boogie Jam
Sylvester Ritter was
31 in NWA Boogie Jam
as 'The Junkyard Dog'.
Sat, Mar 17 1984
Poster of WCCW Thanksgiving Star Wars '83
WCCW Thanksgiving Star Wars '83
Sylvester Ritter was
30 in WCCW Thanksgiving Star Wars '83
as 'The Junkyard Dog'.
Thu, Nov 24 1983

TV Shows (Acting Roles)

Sorted by Release Date
Ages in TV shows are based off the first air date and may not be accurate. View individual episode details for accurate ages
Poster of WWF Wrestling Challenge
WWF Wrestling Challenge
Sylvester Ritter was
33+ in WWF Wrestling Challenge
as 'The Junkyard Dog'.
First Air Date
Sun, Sep 07 1986
Poster of WWE Pay Per View
WWE Pay Per View
Sylvester Ritter was
32+ in WWE Pay Per View
as 'Junkyard Dog, The Junkyard Dog'.
First Air Date
Sun, Mar 31 1985