Michael Van Wijk (born 30 September 1952) is an Indian-born English bodybuilder, professional sportsperson, actor and TV presenter. He is most well known for his role as Wolf on English TV endurance sports game show Gladiators, a role he held for all its eight series (1992–2000).[1]
Michael Van Wijk | |
|---|---|
| Born | 30 September 1952 |
| Nationality | English |
| Spouse | Paula Van Wijk |
| Children | 4 |
Career
editVan Wijk used to run a gym in Hayes in Bromley, London originally called Matrix and later 'Wolf's Fitness Centre'. It was open until the late 1990s and included facilities geared towards bodybuilders, boxers and general fitness.
In 1987, Michael Van Wijk was chosen to be the cover star of Palace Software's computer game Barbarian: The Ultimate Warrior.[2]
In 1989, Van Wijk auditioned for a role in Dances with Wolves. He was unsuccessful but the experience provided him with the inspiration for his 'Wolf' persona.
In October 1994, he played one match for the reserve team of Gillingham F.C., playing for 73 minutes in a match against Cambridge United's reserves before going off injured. The match attracted a crowd ten times the average for the club's reserve team games.[3]
After Gladiators ended Van Wijk moved to New Zealand and opened a chain of gyms.[4]
After being missing from English television screens for nine years, Van Wijk told Loaded magazine in April 2008, "I want to come back, I want to be a Gladiator again."[1] Loaded sent a journalist from London to Wolf's home in Henderson, Auckland, to persuade the actor to return to England to appear in the new series. According to the Loaded article, he was a regular on the Kiwi Cage Fighting scene, and used to compete nationally in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu championships. He is a twice silver medallist competing against fighters half of his age for the New Zealand title.[1]
Most recently he appeared on the Gladiators Legends Special, which he took part in alongside Ace, Hunter and Trojan.[5]
Filmography
edit- Salome's Last Dance (1988)
- The Bruce (1996)
References
edit- ^ a b c "Bring Back Wolf!". Jeff Maysh, Loaded Magazine. Retrieved 1 May 2008.
- ^ Your Sinclair staff (June 1989). "Frontlines". Your Sinclair (18). London, United Kingdom: Dennis Publishing: 5. ISSN 0269-6983.
- ^ Elligate, David (2009). Gillingham FC On This Day. Pitch Publishing. p. 166. ISBN 978-1-905411-45-0.
- ^ Kale, Sirin (23 October 2019). "'Gladiators ... ready!' Whatever became of Wolf, Jet, Rhino and the show's other stars?". The Guardian – via www.theguardian.com.
- ^ "Question Time: Michael van Wijk: 'Wolf' from 'Gladiators' - TV & Radio - Media". The Independent. 15 December 2008. Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2013.