Virgil Runnels | WWE Hall of Famer, 69

Virgil Runnels, 69, a former professional wrestler known to his fans as Dusty Rhodes, has died.

The company said Mr. Runnels died Thursday, but a spokesman declined to say where or how, saying the family had not authorized the release of that information.

Mr. Runnels, who also went by the nickname the American Dream, was a member of the WWE Hall of Fame, and held the NWA championship three times. He became famous during the height of wrestling's popularity in the 1970s and 1980s, appearing in signature yellow polka dot tights with his sidekick "valet" Sapphire.

He endeared himself to fans as an everyman with a less-than-stellar physique, but a gregarious gift of gab behind a microphone.

In a statement, WWE offered condolences to Mr. Runnels' family, calling him "a caring husband and a creative visionary who helped shape the landscape of WWE long after his in-ring career had ended."

Mr. Runnels remained a fixture with WWE after retiring from the ring and was working at WWE's Performance Center in Orlando, Fla. - AP