Jesse Ventura | |
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Ventura in 2016
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38th Governor of Minnesota | |
In office January 4, 1999 – January 6, 2003 |
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Lieutenant | Mae Schunk |
Preceded by | Arne Carlson |
Succeeded by | Tim Pawlenty |
Mayor of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota | |
In office January 11, 1991 – January 13, 1995 |
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Preceded by | James Krautkremer |
Succeeded by | Grace Arbogast |
Personal details | |
Born |
James George Janos July 15, 1951 Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. |
Political party | Independent (1991–1995; 2003–present) |
Other political affiliations |
Reform (1998–2000) Independence (2000–2003) |
Spouse(s) | Theresa Masters (m. 1975) |
Children | 2; including Tyrel Ventura |
Alma mater | North Hennepin College |
Website | www |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Service/branch | United States Navy |
Years of service | 1969–75 |
Rank | Petty officer third class |
Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
Awards | |
Ring name(s) | Jesse Ventura |
Billed height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
Billed weight | 245 lb (111 kg) |
Billed from | Brooklyn Park, Minnesota |
Trained by | Eddie Sharkey |
Debut | 1974 |
Retired | 1986 |
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Jesse Ventura (born James George Janos on July 15, 1951) is an American media personality, former politician and retired professional wrestler, who served as the 38th Governor of Minnesota from 1999 to 2003. He was the first and only member of the Reform Party to win a major government position, but later joined the Independence Party of Minnesota.
Ventura was a member of the U.S. Navy Underwater Demolition Team during the Vietnam War. After leaving the military, he embarked on a professional wrestling career from 1975 to 1986, taking the ring name Jesse "The Body" Ventura. He had a long tenure in the World Wrestling Federation as a performer and color commentator, and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004. Near the end of his wrestling career, Ventura started acting, appearing in films such as Predator and The Running Man (both 1987).