Former WWE & Mid-Atlantic Announcer Rich Landrum Passed Away This Month

Rich Landrum, who worked as an announcer for WWF and Mid-Atlantic Wrestling, passed away earlier this month. PWInsider reports that Landrum passed away back on August 14th. No details around his passing have been made known; he was 77 years old.

Landrum began his professional career as a broadcaster at the young age of 16 in Richmond, Virginia with work as a part-time reporter for WLEE, the highest-rated Top 40 station in the city. He worked there for four years before he moved to WVTR-AM for a year, after which he returned to WLEE. He was eventually convinced by the station manager for TV station WXEX to join them as a field reporter and a photographer. Landrum eventually began hosting game shows and served as a fill-in sports presented on the 6:00 and 11:00 news.

Landrum entered the wrestling world when he was attending a show in Virginia on the suggestion of a friend. The usual ring announcer, who worked for WTVR-TV, did not show up and the promoter asked Landrum if he would fill in. Landrum was hired afterward to be the promotion’s regular ring announcer.

Eventually, Landrum was approached by George South who was the booker for Jim Crockett Promotions and asked to come work for them in Raleigh, North Caroline for their shows. Landrum agreed and became the promo announcer for JPC. He eventually took over announcing and hosting duties for World Wide Wrestling and stayed with JCP until they moved to Charlotte in 1982.

Landrum ended up working with WWF for about a year in 1983 and 1984, and briefly hosted International Championship Wrestling’s shows in Boston.

On behalf of 411, our condolences to the family, friends and fans of Mr. Landrum.