Marv Mercer(1914-1997)
- Actor
Wrestler "Atomic" Marvin Mercer was born Marvin K. Gehman on July 28, 1914 in Berks County, Pennsylvania. Mercer was a swimmer in Reading High School. Following graduation from high school in 1932, Marvin went on to work a variety of jobs throughout World War II. Mercer made his wrestling debut on May 23, 1946 at a wrestling show in Reading's Armory in which he came out of the audience and volunteered to fight Joe Ludhum of Buffalo, New York. After defeating Ludhum in the ring, Marvin went on to embark on a wrestling career that lasted up until 1960: A World Junior Heavyweight wrestling champion, Marvin fought in 2,327 professional matches with 1,887 wins and 368 draws to his credit. On September 11, 1952 Mercer took on and beat Cuban boxer Omelio Agramonte in a mixed match-up fight at Roosevelt Stadium in Jersey City, New Jersey. Marvin owned 220 acres of land in Rockland Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania. Mercer was inducted into the Berks County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in May, 1977. Marvin died at age 82 on April 30, 1997.