American Gladiator William ‘Thunder’ – ‘Billy’ Smith dies at 56.
As each day passes, it seems we are informed about another death in the industry. American Gladiator William ‘Billy’ Smith has passed away at the age of 56, just a few days before his 57th birthday.
William’s death was confirmed on the American Gladiator’s social media. Until of publishing this article, the cause of death is still not known.
William was born on 30 August, 1964.
William ‘Billy’ Smith aka Thunder, was a good bodybuilder, placing as high as third in the National Championships in 1985.
Finally, the opportunity of a lifetime arrived when William had the opportunity to be on the TV show, American Gladiators. William was active on the show from 1990-1992.
Evolutionofbodybuilding.net would like to send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of William during this difficult time.
Thunder – William ‘Billy’ Smith
A natural athlete, Thunder started playing football in high school and also excelled at lacrosse, soccer, baseball and swimming. But in weightlifting, which he started at age 16, he found his niche. At 17 years old, Thunder entered and won his first local bodybuilding competition and went on to win another 24 worldwide championships over his sixteen year competitive tenure. Some of his titles include the 1984 Gold’s Classic, sixth in the 1984 Nationals Heavyweight Class and was third at the Nationals. He studied martial arts for four years as well.
Thunder had aspirations of pursuing sports nutrition and conditioning as a young man, and decided to follow self-education of study in the health sciences after graduating from Eastern Vocational Technical Institute in Essex, Maryland, where he studied the design and fabrication of race car chassis.
While working as a nutritional consultant for pro-athletes at Gold’s Gym Enterprises, he found out about the Gladiator tryouts at Universal Studios. He was initially hired as an alternate, then another Gladiator’s injury catapulted him into a full-time gig as Thunder, whose persona is described as the big giant of the Gladiators, crazy and fearless. The blond behemoth was one of the new Gladiators for the second season and became an instant hit, especially when he prevented points being scored in Atlaspheres. He was known to enter the arena riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
At the age of 30, after nearly a decade away from the bodybuilding stage, he returned at the 1995 USA, landing fifth among the heavies. It was his final contest. With his interest in bodybuilding competitions beginning to wane, his interest in the scientific discipline of diet and exercise intensified. This was initially due to the result of his younger brother’s diagnosis and long-time struggle with Type 1 Diabetes. Thunder was determined to research and develop a diet and exercise related plan that would improve his brother’s ability to play sports and live a normal life. This would eventually become known today as Intrafitt, the individualised nutrition and exercise program, which he established in California in 1992. He went on to design and develop diet supplement programs for many of the top professional bodybuilders nationally and internationally, including that of fellow American Gladiator Siren (Shelley Beattie).
Thunder was once married to fellow Gladiator Panther (Cathy Sassin); although he has since re-married, they still work together at Intrafitt.
Today, Thunder continues his role as the president, CEO and founder of Intrafitt Enterprises, residing in Charlotte, North Carolina, Thunder also owns and operates a health care teaching facility known as the Intrafitt Total Health & Fitness Center.
Source: gladiatorstv.com
Competition History
1984
Gold’s Classic – NPC, Overall Winner
Gold’s Classic – NPC, HeavyWeight, 1st
Gold’s Classic – NPC, Teen Overall Winner
Gold’s Classic – NPC, Teen HeavyWeight, 1st
Nationals – NPC, HeavyWeight, 6th
1985
Nationals – NPC, HeavyWeight, 3rd
1988
Tournament of Champions – NPC, HeavyWeight, 1st
1995
USA Championships – NPC, HeavyWeight, 5th
It is with great sadness we report the loss of #AmericanGladiators legend and bodybuilding superstar William ‘Billy’ Smith aka Thunder. Our sincere condolences are with his family & friends #RIP pic.twitter.com/mmcd1TPtil
— Gladiators (@GladiatorsTV) August 22, 2021
