About Maurice Tillet
Lived 1903 – 1954 (aged 50). Maurice Tillet was a French rugby union player and professional wrestler.
Early life Tillet was born in 1903 in the Ural in Russia to French parents.
Tillet completed his law degree at the University of Toulouse, but felt he would never be successful due to his deep voice and physical appearance. Tillet served in the submarine service of the French Navy for five years as an engineer. It was also believed that Tillet could speak at least 14 languages.
Professional wrestling career
In February 1937, Tillet met Karl Pojello in Singapore; Pojello was a Lithuanian professional wrestler, and persuaded Tillet to enter the business. Tillet and Pojello moved to Paris for training, and Tillet wrestled for two years in France and England until World War II forced them to leave for the United States in 1939. (2 times) Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2012
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Important facts
People in Maurice Tillet's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Related people
Same field, nearest in time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Maurice Tillet's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Maurice Tillet?
French professional wrestler (1903–1954)
When was Maurice Tillet born?
Maurice Tillet was born on 23 October 1903 in Chelyabinsk Uyezd.
When did Maurice Tillet die?
Maurice Tillet died on 4 September 1954 in Chicago.
What was Maurice Tillet's occupation?
Maurice Tillet was a rugby union player and professional wrestler.
What nationality was Maurice Tillet?
Maurice Tillet was French.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Maurice Tillet. https://biography.guide/maurice-tillet/
MLA: "Maurice Tillet." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/maurice-tillet/.
Chicago: "Maurice Tillet." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/maurice-tillet/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-21 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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