Jesse Ventura

American politician, formerly a professional wrestler. After service as a SEAL and a stint as a bodyguard for the Rolling Stones, the 6' 4", 250 lb. shaved-head Ventura became Minnesota's new governor on 11 November 1998. In a political arena that has never been too conventional, he was the ultimate symbol of revolt by voters who were weary of the usual hype. There is nonetheless some trepidation, as Minnesota is the 20th largest state with a $23 billion budget and there is some wonder about electing a media figure.

Raised in blue-collar Minneapolis, Ventura joined the Navy after high school and was trained as a SEAL, serving in Vietnam. A barroom brawler who didn't like to shower or shave, he began pumping up with weights. Honorably discharged in 1973, he rode with a motorcycle club in California, spent a semester at community college and rented out his tree-size arms for security. In the mid-'70s, he took his magnificent body into wrestling - which is partly show biz, largely faked and choreographed. He learned quickly and soon was playing to sold-out arenas like Madison Square Garden. Known as "the Body," he played the villain, facing off against more heroic types, and proved a master showman. He was outlandish, outspoken and off-the-wall.

Away from the spotlight, Ventura is a family man, married to Terry in 1975 with a son and a daughter and later, a 32-acre horse farm. Political by nature, he tried to form a wrestler's union but got nowhere. Later he sued the World Wrestling Federation for video royalties and was awarded $800,000. His career came to an abrupt halt in 1984 on the eve of a title match with Hulk Hogan when Ventura developed a pulmonary embolism.

Not undone, Ventura transformed himself into an actor, playing with Schwarzenegger in "Predator." His credits also include TV's "The X-Files," where he wore a black coat and a sinister glare.

In 1990, Ventura began his political career in earnest as Mayor of Brooklyn Park for a four-year stint.