Bret Hart is a Canadian-born retired professional wrestler widely considered one of the finest technical performers in WWE history. Known as “The Excellence of Execution,” he held multiple world championships, survived a devastating stroke, and remains a towering figure in wrestling culture.
Born in Calgary, Alberta, on July 2, 1957, Hart came from the legendary Hart wrestling family. His career spanned decades, from tag-team success with the Hart Foundation to a controversial departure during the Montreal Screwjob. A stroke in 2002 threatened his life, but he recovered much of his mobility and returned to the WWE spotlight.
Who is Bret Hart?
Bret Sergeant Hart
July 2, 1957 (age 67)
6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Julie Hart (m. 1982–2002); later married Stephanie Washington (2010)
Key Insights
- Bret Hart is widely regarded as one of the greatest technical wrestlers in history, known as “The Excellence of Execution.”
- He is a second-generation wrestler from the legendary Hart family (father Stu Hart, brother Owen Hart, etc.).
- His WWE career peaked in the 1990s with multiple world championships, but the infamous Montreal Screwjob (1997) marked a turning point.
- In 2002, a bicycle accident caused a stroke that paralyzed his left side; he eventually regained most mobility through intense rehabilitation.
- Bret Hart has authored an autobiography (Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling) and appeared in several films and TV shows.
- He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006 (solo) and again in 2019 as part of the Hart Foundation.
Snapshot Facts
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthdate | July 2, 1957 |
| Birthplace | Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| Weight | 235 lbs (107 kg) |
| WWE Debut | 1984 (WWF) |
| Signature Move | Sharpshooter |
| Championships | 5× WWF World Heavyweight Champion, 2× WCW World Heavyweight Champion, Royal Rumble 1994 winner, King of the Ring 1991, 1993 |
| Hall of Fame | WWE Hall of Fame (2006 solo, 2019 Hart Foundation) |
| Net Worth (est.) | $10–14 million (various sources) |
| Spouse | Julie Hart (1982–2002); later relationships/remarriages not publicly official |
| Children | 4 (Jade, Dallas, Alexandra “Beans”, Blade) |
For further details on his early life and family, see Wikipedia – Bret Hart and the WWE Superstars profile.
What is Bret Hart’s involvement in WWE?
Hart began his WWF career in 1984 as part of the tag team The Hart Foundation with brother-in-law Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart, managed by Jimmy Hart. They won the World Tag Team Titles twice. He later transitioned to singles competition, capturing the Intercontinental Championship in 1991 by defeating Mr. Perfect.
Singles Dominance
Bret won the King of the Ring tournament in 1993 and the Royal Rumble in 1994. He became WWF Champion by defeating Yokozuna at WrestleMania X (1994) and later defeated Mankind in 1998. He also won the United States Championship five times, most recently in 2010.
At Survivor Series 1997, Hart lost his WWF Championship under disputed circumstances. He felt betrayed by Vince McMahon, leading to his departure to WCW. The incident remains one of the most controversial moments in wrestling history.
WCW Career
Hart joined WCW in 1997 on a three-year contract worth about $2.5 million per year, with a light schedule and creative control. However, he never achieved the same level of success in WCW as he had in WWE, according to the WWE official profile.
What is Bret Hart’s relationship with Owen Hart?
Owen Hart was Bret’s youngest brother, also a wrestler in WWE. The two had a famous rivalry in the mid‑1990s, including a match at WrestleMania X and a steel cage match at SummerSlam 1994. Despite their on‑screen conflicts, they remained brothers.
Who was Owen Hart?
Owen Hart tragically died in May 1999 during a botched stunt at a WWE event. He was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. The relationship between Bret and Owen is detailed on Biography.com.
All seven of Stu Hart’s sons entered professional wrestling, and all four daughters married wrestlers. Bret, Owen, and brothers Davey Boy Smith (David Hart Smith), Bruce, Keith, Howard, and George all competed in the ring.
What media has Bret Hart produced?
Hart published his autobiography, Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling, in 2007. It became a #1 bestseller in the US, UK, and Canada. The book offers a firsthand account of his career, the Montreal Screwjob, and his stroke recovery.
Film and Television Appearances
- Recurring role as Luther Root on Lonesome Dove: The Series (1990s).
- An animated version of himself on The Simpsons.
- Subject of the 1998 documentary Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows.
- Upcoming live theater performance in Aladdin: The Magical Family Musical.
What was the impact of Bret Hart’s stroke?
In June 2002, Hart suffered a severe stroke after hitting his head in a bicycle accident, resulting in total paralysis on his left side. He underwent months of arduous physical therapy and eventually regained much of his mobility.
- 1957 – Born in Calgary, Alberta.
- 1984 – Debuts in WWF (now WWE).
- 1991 – Wins King of the Ring tournament.
- 1992 – First WWF World Heavyweight Championship win.
- 1994 – Wins Royal Rumble match (co-winner with Lex Luger).
- 1997 – Montreal Screwjob at Survivor Series; leaves WWE for WCW.
- 2002 – Suffers a stroke after a bicycle accident.
- 2006 – Inducted into WWE Hall of Fame as a singles wrestler.
- 2010 – Returns to WWE on-screen, confronts Vince McMahon at WrestleMania XXVI.
- 2019 – Inducted into WWE Hall of Fame as part of the Hart Foundation.
Hart became a spokesperson for March of Dimes Canada’s Stroke Recovery Canada program. His recovery journey is documented in his autobiography and on his official website.
While Hart recovered much of his mobility, exact current physical limitations are not officially updated. His post‑stroke condition is best described in his 2007 book and subsequent interviews.
How much did Bret Hart recover from his stroke?
Established information confirms the stroke occurred in June 2002 due to a bicycle accident, causing left‑side paralysis. Hart underwent intense physical therapy and regained most mobility. What remains unclear is the precise degree of permanent impairment. Different accounts from Hart and his doctors offer only general statements.
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Stroke caused by head impact in bicycle accident | Exact percentage of mobility recovered |
| Months of physical therapy followed | Current daily physical limitations |
| He became spokesperson for Stroke Recovery Canada | Whether any long‑term side effects persist |
What made Bret Hart’s wrestling style unique?
Hart’s technical mastery earned him the nickname “The Excellence of Execution.” He was trained in the infamous Hart Family Dungeon, where his father Stu Hart drilled fundamentals. His matches emphasized mat wrestling, submission holds, and storytelling, influencing a generation of performers including Joe Calzaghe and Chuck Norris despite their different disciplines. (See Joe Calzaghe and Chuck Norris for comparisons of athletic excellence.)
The Hart family legacy, the Montreal Screwjob, and his post‑stroke resilience all contribute to his stature. He represents an era where technical wrestling and character storytelling dominated the industry.
Which sources provide the most reliable Bret Hart biography?
The most authoritative sources include WWE.com for career achievements, Wikipedia for comprehensive facts with citations, and Bret Hart’s official website for direct statements. His autobiography, Hitman, offers a first‑person account.
“The best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be.” — WWE introduction for Bret Hart
— WWE promotional material
“I’ve had a lot of challenges in my life, but I never gave up.” — Bret Hart, post‑stroke interviews
— multiple media outlets
Additional verified details were reported by IMDb for acting roles and Instagram (official) for personal updates.
What is the final verdict on Bret Hart’s career?
Bret Hart remains a legendary figure in wrestling, celebrated for technical mastery, family legacy, and resilience after a life‑changing stroke. His career arc — from hero to victim of the Screwjob, to stroke survivor — makes him a symbol of both triumph and tragedy. For more on athletes who overcame adversity, see Joe Calzaghe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bret Hart’s signature move?
His signature submission hold is the Sharpshooter, which he used to win many matches.
How many children does Bret Hart have?
He has four children with his first wife Julie Smadu: Jade, Dallas, Alexandra (“Beans”), and Blade.
Where did Bret Hart train?
He trained in the Hart Family Dungeon, a basement wrestling ring in the family home, under his father Stu Hart.
What is Bret Hart’s real name?
His full name is Bret Sergeant Hart.
Did Bret Hart win the Royal Rumble?
Yes, he won the Royal Rumble match in 1994, sharing the victory with Lex Luger.
What happened at the Montreal Screwjob?
At Survivor Series 1997, the WWF Championship match ended without Bret Hart’s knowledge, leading to a disputed title change and his departure from the company.
Is Bret Hart still wrestling?
No, he retired from full‑time competition after his stroke in 2002. He has made occasional on‑screen appearances but does not wrestle regularly.
What awards has Bret Hart won?
He is a five‑time WWF Champion, two‑time WCW Champion, and a two‑time WWE Hall of Fame inductee (solo 2006, Hart Foundation 2019).
Jack Thomas Clarke Thompson is a staff writer for PopCultureDaily.co.uk, covering entertainment news, film, television, streaming and celebrity culture. He works under Editor-in-Chief Harriet Winslow and Managing Editor Lucas Bennett, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.