The story of the Kevin Von Erich Family is etched in the annals of professional wrestling as a poignant saga of triumph and devastating tragedy. Emerging from rural Texas, the Von Erich brothers captivated audiences worldwide with their athleticism, charisma, and seemingly unbreakable bond. Their father, Fritz Von Erich, a formidable wrestler himself, molded his sons into wrestling royalty, creating a dynasty that would both soar to incredible heights and plummet to unimaginable depths. This is the story of the Kevin Von Erich family, a name synonymous with wrestling excellence and heartbreaking loss, now brought to a new audience with the release of the film, The Iron Claw.
The early years for Kevin Von Erich, born Kevin Adkisson, were idyllic. He and his brothers David, Kerry, Mike, and Chris, enjoyed a childhood steeped in the freedom of the Texan countryside. Growing up on a farm, their days were filled with simple joys: the taste of fresh blackberries, the companionship of dogs, and the thrill of horseback riding. This close-knit family unit formed the foundation of what would become the legendary Von Erich wrestling dynasty. As they transitioned into professional wrestling, these simple excursions evolved into lavish trips to Hawaii between matches, filled with diving and fishing, moments of joy amidst the demanding world of professional wrestling. “We always had fun,” Kevin recalls, a testament to the strong brotherly bond that defined their lives.
Their brotherhood was not just familial; it was forged in the competitive fires of the wrestling ring. Side by side, they rose through the ranks, becoming the Von Erichs, a name that resonated with wrestling fans across the globe. But beneath the veneer of success and camaraderie, tragedy lurked, ready to shatter their world.
The year 1984 marked the first devastating blow to the Von Erich family. Kevin received a phone call from his sister-in-law, Patricia, delivering news that would forever alter the course of their lives. David, the second eldest brother, had been found dead in his hotel room while on a wrestling tour in Japan. At just 25 years old, David was on the cusp of achieving wrestling immortality, poised to win the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) Worlds Heavyweight Championship. The news was incomprehensible. Kevin’s immediate reaction was visceral grief and disbelief. He sought solace in the woods, grounding himself in the scent of trees and earth, a physical manifestation of the profound sense of loss that overwhelmed him. “I don’t think I’ve ever completely got up from that,” Kevin reflects, encapsulating the enduring impact of David’s death.
Mike, Kevin, David, and Kerry Von Erich in 1983, showcasing the brothers in their early wrestling careers.
The official cause of David’s death was acute enteritis, a ruptured intestine leading to fatal complications. For Kevin, it was a seismic event that shook his very foundation. Questions about life, death, and the afterlife consumed him. “All these things that I’d been curious about, like heaven, now I had to know: will I see him again?” This marked the beginning of Kevin’s deeper existential ponderings, spurred by unimaginable loss.
Yet, amidst personal grief, the relentless demands of professional wrestling offered no respite. Kevin’s own career was ascending. Known as “The Golden Warrior” or “The Barefoot Boy” for his signature shoeless wrestling style, he was a central figure in his father’s World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW), a weekly televised spectacle in the 1980s. However, his heart was no longer fully in the sport. Wrestling felt trivial in the face of such profound loss. “It was hard to make yourself think about beating that guy when everything in your mind is about heaven … you know?” This internal conflict highlighted the immense personal toll the tragedy had taken, even as he continued to perform for the roaring crowds.
David’s death was not an isolated incident; it was the first domino in a series of heartbreaks that would decimate the Von Erich family. By 1993, Kevin would stand alone as the sole surviving brother. The whispered “Von Erich curse” began to take hold in the public consciousness, a grim narrative that intertwined with their wrestling legacy.
The Von Erich family’s saga, marked by both dazzling triumphs and agonizing falls, has now been adapted into The Iron Claw. The film explores the complex dynamics within the family, particularly the demanding presence of their father, Fritz. Portrayed by Holt McCallany, Fritz is depicted as a stern patriarch, relentlessly pushing his sons to achieve wrestling glory, driven by his own unfulfilled ambitions. Zac Efron embodies Kevin Von Erich, while Jeremy Allen White portrays Kerry, bringing these wrestling brothers to life on screen. Notably, the film was produced without direct family involvement, offering an external perspective on their intensely personal story. The narrative leans into the cautionary aspects of toxic masculinity, examining the pressures exerted by Fritz and the wrestling world.
However, Kevin offers a nuanced perspective on his father’s rigorous approach. While Fritz Von Erich, known in the ring for his villainous “Nazi” persona, was undoubtedly tough, Kevin emphasizes his father’s underlying honor and deep love. “My father was the most honourable man I’ve ever known,” Kevin asserts. “He loved us so much.” He contextualizes Fritz’s parenting within the societal norms of the Depression era, arguing that his father believed in preparing his sons for a harsh world. “Like most fathers back then, he had to raise his sons rough because life is rough. Boys have to be hard.” The brothers were subjected to playful rankings of favoritism and physical discipline, methods reflective of the era’s parenting styles. Doris, their mother, often disagreed with Fritz’s stern methods, even contemplating leaving him due to concerns about their impact on Kevin, David, and Kerry. Yet, Kevin believes this upbringing instilled in them a sense of resilience. “We always felt like we could take on anything,” he says, suggesting a positive interpretation of his father’s tough love.
Fritz Von Erich, the patriarch of the Von Erich family, in 1963, showcasing his imposing wrestling persona.
The roots of the “Von Erich curse,” as it would be ominously termed, trace back to 1959 with the tragic death of Jack Jr., Kevin’s older brother. At just six years old, Jack Jr. was electrocuted in a trailer park accident in Niagara Falls, succumbing to drowning after touching a live wire and falling into a puddle. This devastating loss profoundly impacted the family, with accounts suggesting their mother, Doris, never fully recovered from the grief of losing her eldest son.
Fritz Von Erich, a 20-time NWA US Heavyweight Champion, was instrumental in guiding his sons towards wrestling careers. David, with his natural showmanship, was initially seen as the one destined for superstardom. Kerry possessed charisma and striking looks, while Kevin brought raw power and athleticism to the ring. Their collective appeal, embodying wholesome, all-American ideals, resonated deeply with fans. However, Kevin clarifies that the pressure to excel in wrestling came more from within the brothers themselves than from their father. “We held each other to a high standard,” he explains, highlighting their intrinsic drive for success.
Kevin’s initial passion lay in football, but a knee injury derailed his professional aspirations. Wrestling, while physically demanding, offered a different kind of exhilaration. “In the ring, you just feel like you’re flying. I guess I had a showoff in me and wrestling brought it out,” he admits. By the early 1980s, Kevin, David, and Kerry reached rock star status in Texas. Their popularity was immense, drawing fervent crowds wherever they went. The on-screen rivalry between the Von Erichs and the Fabulous Freebirds became legendary, selling out arenas and captivating global audiences as WCCW expanded its reach to 63 countries. Despite the allure of fame and the party atmosphere surrounding wrestling, Kevin remained grounded. He married his high school sweetheart, Pam, in 1980, a relationship that has endured to this day, providing a constant anchor amidst the turbulent storms of his life.
Zac Efron’s portrayal of Kevin Von Erich in “The Iron Claw,” capturing the wrestler’s physique and intensity.
In 1985, tragedy struck again when Mike, the second youngest Von Erich brother and an aspiring musician, suffered a severe shoulder injury during a wrestling tour in Israel. “His shoulder looked like an axe chopped it,” Kevin recounts, expressing his deep concern for his brother. Complications arose after Mike’s hospital discharge; he developed toxic shock syndrome and narrowly escaped death. Though he returned to wrestling a year later, Mike was physically diminished and increasingly withdrawn, a stark contrast to his earlier vitality.
The following year, Kerry, the middle brother and once an Olympic hopeful in discus, experienced a life-altering motorcycle accident. Under the influence of drugs, Kerry attempted to jump over a police car, resulting in severe injuries. “He wasn’t himself. He was wearing no helmet, no shoes,” Kevin explains, highlighting the reckless circumstances of the accident. Ultimately, part of Kerry’s foot had to be amputated. Kevin describes the agonizing phantom pain Kerry endured, a constant reminder of his physical loss. “It was so painful for him to put weight on it because people that are amputated have ghost pains where they still feel their digits,” he explains.
The relentless cascade of misfortunes continued. Mike sustained minor head injuries in a car accident, and their grandmother passed away from a heart attack. This period became a “blur” for Kevin, a time of constant grief compounded by the ongoing demands of his wrestling career. He was wrestling multiple times a day, carrying the weight of his personal tragedies into the ring.
Then, in 1987, another horrific accident struck close to home. Kevin, while on his car phone, inadvertently backed into his two young daughters, Jill and Kristen, who had run out to greet him. His car struck Jill, then two years old. “I thought she was going to die,” Kevin says, his voice breaking with emotion even decades later. Jill suffered severe liver injuries and spent weeks in intensive care. The emotional toll was immense; Kevin lost over 30 pounds during this period, unable to eat or sleep, consumed by fear and guilt.
Shortly after Jill’s accident, Mike disappeared. A suicide note was found, but days passed without any trace of him. Kevin learned of Mike’s death through a news report. Mike had overdosed. This tragedy, coming so soon after Jill’s near-fatal accident, pushed Kevin to the brink. “It was so much. It was like: ‘Oh God, not this again.’ Because I never thought Mike would do such a thing.” While speculation arose that Mike felt pressured to fill David’s shoes, Kevin refutes this, attributing Mike’s suicide to his deteriorating health and emotional state. “He wasn’t healing, he was just wasting away.”
The Von Erich family in their wrestling prime: Jack, David, Kerry, Chris, Mike, and Kevin, a powerful image of wrestling brotherhood.
Amidst these relentless tragedies, the question of a family curse inevitably arose. Kevin’s perspective, however, is rooted in faith. “Well, I believe in God,” he states. “I believe he’s a fair and loving God that has our best interests at heart. And things that we overcome make us stronger. So no, I don’t believe in a curse. I do believe it was a lot.” He reframes the narrative of a curse into one of immense hardship faced with unwavering faith.
Unlike his older brothers, Chris, the youngest, struggled to find his footing in the wrestling world. His asthma and shorter stature presented significant obstacles. He idolized his brothers and desperately sought to emulate their success. “It was just an uphill fight for him and I think he got overwhelmed,” Kevin reflects. Following Mike’s death, Chris spiraled into depression and drug use.
In September 1991, Chris visited Kevin at their parents’ ranch in Denton County, Texas. Late one night, Kevin noticed Chris’s distress and followed him into the woods. Chris reassured Kevin he was alright and urged him to read a note he had left at the house. “I wish I hadn’t left,” Kevin laments, haunted by the moment of separation. Upon returning to the ranch, Kevin learned the note was a suicide letter. They found Chris in the woods; he had shot himself. Chris was just 21 years old. “He was so dejected. Just couldn’t see over the hill. If he’d just held on for a little bit longer, he’d have seen a bright day was on the way,” Kevin says with profound sadness.
As Kevin grappled with yet another brother’s death, Kerry’s life continued to unravel. His foot amputation remained a closely guarded secret, allowing him to continue wrestling with a prosthetic. However, the physical and emotional toll was immense. “It was terrible for Kerry,” Kevin explains. “He saw himself as a freak … He had a lot of guilt, a lot of shame.” Kerry turned to painkillers to manage the pain and maintain his wrestling career, but his performance suffered, and his personal life crumbled; he divorced his wife, Catherine.
The Von Erich brothers in a more relaxed setting in the 1980s, a glimpse into their off-stage camaraderie.
By 1991, Kerry was battling a painkiller addiction and faced legal troubles, including arrests for forging prescriptions and cocaine possession. In 1993, fearing imprisonment, Kerry reached out to Kevin in desperation. Kevin, living 200 miles away, called their father, Fritz, who dismissed Kerry’s plea, claiming he was too busy. “To this day I’m mad about that,” Kevin says, his voice filled with anguish. Shortly after, Kerry took his own life on their family ranch, mirroring Chris’s tragic end. “I was crushed,” Kevin states, encapsulating the final devastating blow to his family.
The Von Erich family’s story, especially the tragedies, is now reaching a broader audience through The Iron Claw. Chris’s character has been omitted from the film, a decision Kevin understands, acknowledging the overwhelming nature of their collective losses. “With my story, there was so much death that it was just too much.” Despite the focus on tragedy, Kevin hopes audiences will recognize the resilience that underlies their story. “I’m a man that had every reason to quit but didn’t,” he affirms, emphasizing his enduring will to live and persevere.
By 1993, all five of Kevin Von Erich’s brothers had passed away. The weight of these losses was immense, and fear for his own children crept in. “I was terrified at first about my kids,” he admits. “Like something was gonna happen to them. But that’s where prayer came in … I just know that I’ve seen enough blood, I won’t see any more.” Faith became his anchor, a source of strength amidst overwhelming grief.
Kevin retired from wrestling in 1995. In 2007, seeking solace and a fresh start, he moved his family to Kauai, Hawaii. The initial months were spent in quiet recuperation. “For the first six months, he mostly slept.” Gradually, he found healing in the ocean, surfing and finding peace in the vastness of the sea. “Then I surfed and spent a lot of time in the ocean … You just lay on your back, kick your feet, look at the moon and the waves break over your face. It’s just you and God.”
A signed publicity shot of the Von Erich brothers and Fritz, a memento of their wrestling fame.
The family eventually returned to Texas last year. Kevin’s daughters, Kristen and Jill, have pursued careers in investment and teaching, respectively. His sons, Ross and Marshall, have followed in the family tradition, becoming professional wrestlers. “I didn’t want my sons to do it, but they wanted to be like me,” Kevin says. He actively supports his sons, often joining them at matches, and shares his life story through his one-man show, Stories from the Top Rope.
Now surrounded by a large family, including 13 grandchildren and foster grandchildren, Kevin finds joy and purpose in everyday life. “A lot of people have hurt worse than me,” he reflects with humility. “A man can be down and get kicked and kicked. You think to yourself: ‘I quit, it’s not fair.’ But I have this huge family that I love so much. I laugh every day. I look forward to waking up.”
When he reflects on his brothers, it is with gratitude for the time they shared. “When I look at all of that, I call it a good day. Everybody’s gonna die.” He addresses the inevitable question about his own mortality with a laugh. “‘Aren’t you afraid you’ll be next?’ Damn right, I’ll be next! That doesn’t bother me a bit.”
Kevin Von Erich executing the Iron Claw, his family’s signature move, in a 2017 wrestling match, demonstrating his enduring presence in wrestling.
Every February, Kevin commemorates his brothers with a poignant ritual. “We have a boat in our pond. We put the Christmas tree on it, shove it out and light it up,” a symbolic gesture of remembrance and love.
Life, once seeming too long with the burden of grief, now feels fleeting to Kevin. “Now, I think life is too short. That’s what I’ve learned: just to love every minute.” His story, marked by profound loss and unwavering resilience, serves as a powerful testament to the enduring strength of family, faith, and the human spirit.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please seek help. In the US, call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988.
