Andrew Koloszuk (born October 22, 1967), better known by the ring name Baby Gorilla Andrew Anderson,[2] is an American professional wrestler, promoter, actor and author. Koloszuk is currently working the independent circuit performing in matches for East Coast Professional Wrestling (ECPW),[6][7] Southwest Wrestling Entertainment (SWE)[8] and Ultimate Championship Wrestling (UCW). Koloszuk is co-founder of Tri-State Wrestling Alliance(formerly National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) Big Apple).[9]
Andrew Anderson | |
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![]() Andrew Anderson in 2021 | |
Birth name | Andrew Koloszuk[1] |
Born | (1967-10-22) October 22, 1967 (age 55) Cliffside Park, New Jersey, United States |
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | |
Billed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
Billed weight | 396 lb (180 kg) |
Billed from | Ridgefield, New Jersey, United States |
Trained by | |
Debut | 1993[5] |
Koloszuk began his career in 1993, He was discovered by WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy Snuka and "Metal Maniac" Jeff Miller. Initially Koloszuk was trained by Jimmy Snuka and Gino Caruso at Caruso's East Coast Pro Wrestling(ECPW) gym in Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey.[4] Koloszuk was later trained by Kodiak Bear, Mike Masters, Nikolai Volkoff, and Jerry Fazio.[2] From 1993 to 1999 Koloszuk performed in various independent wrestling companies across the United States, including Jersey All Pro Wrestling (JAPW),[10] Pennsylvania Championship Wrestling (PCW)[11] and Hawaiian Islands Wrestling Federation (HIWF).[12] In 1997, Koloszuk wrestled under the ring name The Siberian Tiger a name he adopted while working as a tag team with Nikolai Volkoff. Koloszuk, was frequently managed throughout his career by; Captain Lou Albano, Godfather Joey G, Doug Devito, Roddy Piper, Mr. Big John Whol, and Nigel Rabid.[4][2][5]
Angelo Savoldi, at the time a wrestling promoter, influenced Koloszuk to change his ring name. Savoldi thought that Koloszuk looked like a baby gorilla Arn Anderson so Koloszuk started wrestling as Andrew Anderson.[5]
In early 2000 Koloszuk began performing for Jersey Championship Wrestling. On April 14, 2000, taping an episode of Jersey Championship Wrestling, Anderson defeated Nick Maddox in a tournament final to become the inaugural JCW Heavyweight Champion.[13] Eight days later on April 22, 2000, Anderson is defeated by Low Ki, losing the JCW Heavyweight Championship title.[14]
Anderson began performing for East Coast Professional Wrestling (ECPW) in 2005.[6][7] ECPW is owned by Gino Caruso, one of the men who trained Anderson.[15] During his time with ECPW, Anderson has become a 4 time ECPW Heavyweight Champion, an ECPW Television Champion and an ECPW Tag Team Champion with The Pub Bully twice.[7][16][17]
Between mid 2006 and mid 2007 Anderson performed in matches for United Pro Wrestling Association (UPWA).[18]
On July 21, 2019, at the Pro Wrestling 225 event Collision Course Anderson teamed with Mustang Mike defeated The Cajun Outlawz C-Thang & Rhett The Threat to become the PW225 Tag Team Champions. The reign lasted for 45 days before the titles were vacated.[19]
Anderson co-founded National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) Big Apple in 2016. In 2017 the company cut ties with NWA and the name was changed to Tri-State Wrestling Alliance (TSWA).[9]
In early 2020 Anderson began performing in matches for Southwest Wrestling Entertainment (SWE).[8]
Anderson is currently the UCW Warfare Heavyweight Champion, in 2022 Anderson is set to make his debut for World Pro Wrestling in the United Kingdom. Anderson took on James Mason at Cheltenham Town Hall for World Pro Wrestling on Saturday 19th of February.
Koloszuk also pursued a career in acting, appearing in both film and television.[1]
Koloszuk plays the role of the character Fernando in the 2004 Spike Lee Showtime television film "Sucker Free City".[20]
Koloszuk was an extra in the 2008 American sports drama film "The Wrestler".[21]
In 2017 Koloszuk had a small role as one of three villain bikers, The Gotham Demonz, on the Fox Network DC Comics television series "Gotham". Koloszuk attributes receiving even more acting role offers to his role in Gotham.[22][23]
Koloszuk has also starred in commercials for Doritos and Skittles.[3]
Koloszuk is the author of his upcoming autobiography, "It's Really Not My Fault".[3][24]
Although he was billed as such Koloszuk is not related to Arn Anderson or any other members of the Anderson family.[1][5]
Koloszuk graduated from St. Peter's College in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1989 with a degree in business administration and a BA in marketing management.[1][4]
Koloszuk has 2 daughters, Olivia and Hope.[4]
Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2003 | Creepy Tales: Girls Night Out | The Werewolf | [1][25] | |
2008 | The Wrestler (2008 film) | Wrestler | [1][21] | |
2015 | Fortress of Dumbbells | Himself | short film | [1] |
2017 | Good Friday | Man Myth Magic | short film | [1] |
2018 | 350 Days - Legends. Champions. Survivors. | Himself | documentary | [1][26] |
TBA | The Killer Bees | Himself | documentary, pre-production | [1] |
TBA | Blade & Blood | Crank | pre-production | [1] |
TBA | Deadly Terrain | Drew Lewis | pre-production | [1] |
Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2004 | Sucker Free City | Fernando | television film | [1][20] |
2009 | Söndagsparty med Filip och Fredrik | Himself | Swedish talk show, Episode: "Manson och Gardell i premiären" | [1] |
2017 | Gotham | Secondary Demon | Season 4, episode 7: "A Dark Knight: A Day in the Narrows" | [1][22][23] |
2018 | Sneaky Pete | Clerk | Season 2, episode 3: "Man on the Run" | [1] |
2018 | Confessions of Nick Sargenti and the Lolipop Gang | Johnny Five | Season 1, episode 1: "Jaw Breaker" | [1] |
Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | Creative Continuity | Himself | Episode: "Joshua Williamson & Andrew Anderson" | [1][27] |
Anderson family | |
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Children |
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