WWE Star Dies From Stage 4 Cancer After Insurance Company Stopped Paying For Chemotherapy

Black Bart, whose real name is Richard Harris, has been battling cancer since 2022. The WWE star underwent chemotherapy and other treatments to try to prolong his life. However, it was reported via Story Time Podcast with Dutch Mantell that Black Bart recently stopped his chemotherapy. Harris’s insurance refused to pay for any more treatments. And the WWE star didn’t want to put the financial burden on his family.

It’s a sad day for WWE fans. Former WWE star Black Bart has died following a three-year battle with cancer. He was 76.

Table of Contents
Videos by Wide Open Country
WWE Star Dies From Cancer
Videos by Wide Open Country

In a Facebook post, his wife Linda confirmed the sad news on Thursday. She wrote, “You might know him as Black Bart but to me he was my husband Ricky. He left us this morning — he was pronounced at 5:26 this morning. He is Resting In Peace.”

The family likely knew his time was limited, given the fact he stopped treatment. His wife also explained that Black Bart stopped his chemotherapy because of how it made him feel. The WWE star felt it was doing more harm to his body than good.Bart was brought home today, he still isn’t able to walk but he isn’t making progress in the rehab so the insurance will not continue to pay for him. He feels that it’s doing more damage than good, and I have to back him up on that,” she said in December. “He is completely in God’s hands now.”

WWE Star Dies From Cancer

Harris wrestled from 1975 to 2002. In a Facebook post, a family member shared that the wrestler was in hospice.

They wrote, “I wasn’t going to say anything yet but decided to let his people know he is on hospice. We appreciate the prayers and do wish them to continue but as I said before he is no longer taking the chemo and his cancer was stage 4 when diagnosed in 2022.”

“His brothers in the business are considered family, I hope the rest of you understand. But immediate family comes first,” the post continued. “The rest of you will be notified with updates as soon as the family is ready to give them. But don’t think we love you any less. Right now Bart is still hanging in there. We are keeping him comfortable and pain-free. That’s all I can say for now. Much love to you all!!!

Following his passing, John Bradshaw Layfield mourned the loss of his mentor.

He posted a tribute, “Black Bart took me under his wing and taught me how to be a professional wrestler. We were tag champs in Texas-but we were also just buddies. We sat together in the dressing room while Bart spit in his trashcan and constantly joked about everything. Bart meant the world to me. I love you big brother. RIP.”

Dusty Rhodes, the father of current undisputed WWE champion Cody Rhodes, also wrote, “Black Bart taught me a ton in my younger years. Loved him to death. He will be missed.