UPDATE: Jason King of Bleacher Report reports that Harris' cause of death was cardiac arrest, as well as that the former wrestler had previously tested positive for COVID-19.
Legendary professional wrestler James Harris -- best known for his time performing for WWF/WWE as Kamala -- has passed away. He was 70 years old.
Harris' death -- the cause of which is unknown at this time -- was reported by the @80sWrestling_ Twitter account, with the Cauliflower Alley Club -- an organization dedicated to financially aiding professional wrestlers who have fallen on hard times -- subsequently issuing a statement on the matter. "The CAC family wishes to extend our sincerest condolences to the family friends and fans the world over upon the news that the legendary James 'Kamala' Harris has passed away at the age of 70," the Cauliflower Alley Club wrote. "Rest in Peace James." Various industry veterans have taken to social media to pay their respects to the departed legend as well, including The Iron Sheik, Jerry "The King" Lawler, Tommy Dreamer and Chris Hero, just to name a few. WWE itself has since paid tribute to Harris, as has All Elite Wrestling.
Born in Senatobia, Mississippi in May of 1950, Harris began his professional wrestling career in 1978 under the ring name "Sugar Bear" Harris. In 1982, Harris was offered a job at the Continental Wrestling Association by Lawler, who was a promoter at the time. The character of Kimala (later changed to Kamala) -- who was billed from Uganda -- was then developed by Harris, Lawler and CWA founder Jerry Jarrett. After wrestling for organizations like CWA, Mid-South Wrestling and World Class Championship Wrestling, Harris made his WWF debut as Kamala in 1984 and began feuding with the likes of Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant.
Throughout the '80s and early '90s, Harris left and returned to WWF multiple times, wrestling for other promotions in the interim. He briefly performed for WCW in 1995 (while he was semi-retired) and was even the one who suggested Hulk Hogan join the company. Harris went on to make various appearances as Kamala for WWF/WWE in the 2000s. His final WWE appearance came in 2006, though he continued working the independent circuit until 2010. Harris began experiencing severe and well-known health issues shortly thereafter, with his left leg having to be amputated in November of 2011 due to complications from high blood pressure and diabetes, which date back to the early '90s. His other leg was amputated only five months later. A few years later in November of 2017, Harris was put on life support following emergency surgery, though he did show signs of improvement. Once again, the official cause of death is not currently known.