IHWE Sits down With Kayleigh Swenson, About her Father Jeep Swenson
October 16, 2013 at 8:41pm
We are sitting down with the daughter of legendary actor & pro wrestling Jeep Swenson, Fans may remember Swenson best as Bane in the 1998 Joel Schumacher Batman & Robin Film, and some from his very short stint in WCW in 1996, But years before that Jeep was an imposing figure in Texas Wrestling.
Thank you for joining us Ms Swenson
Q-What do you remember the most about your dad growing up, What was it like having this massive physical man as a father?
A-What I remember most about my father was that he wasn't just a big guy. He was extremely intelligent, funny, and he could light up an entire room with his smile. Nothing about him was ordinary, people saw this and everyone wanted to be near him. Having such a massive father was pretty nice, he would come to my school and meet the kids...who were all very in awe of him. I also spent a lot of my childhood in the gym, it was like a second home. He was a very affectionate dad, I definitely never questioned his devotion to my mother and I. He told me how much he cared every single day.
Q-Did you ever go to see your father wrestle? If So, Please share some experiences with us.
A-Yes, I did attend quite a few wrestling matches with him. Most I cannot recall detail. However, at one point we went with him to St.Martin to wrestle. I remember that situation all too well. I remember Kevin and Kerry Von Erich were with us. In the midst of this particular match, a huge riot broke out amongst the islanders...they were trying to get to us, throwing bricks an bottles. Kerry scooped me up in his arms right as a brick smacked him hard in the side of the head, this didn't seem to phase him much. We all ran for our lives, Kerry still carrying me. We arrived at a ferry, with these people still chasing us and told the ferryman we needed to go immediatly. The water was choppy and dangerous so he refused to go. Well, until my dad did some damage control. I guess a 400lb man is slightly more frightening than dangerous waters. Thank god we got out of that alive! Being Jeep Swenson's daughter was never dull, that's for sure.
Q-What was it like being in school & having your dad play one of the most imposing villians in Comic History, Bane?
A-It's funny because nobody ever believed "Bane" was my dad. They always said I was full of it. Of course until I told him that, he would show up and make an unforgettable entrance. All the little boys mouths would drop and there would be an endless sea of children circled around him, which he didn't mind at all. He loved kids so much and would talk a lot about motivational speaking to kids and how he wanted to go to schools and speak.
Q-How does it feel knowing that many people still talk about & remember your dad to this day, how does it feel knowing you can at anytime see a film or pull up a match & remember him?
A-I love knowing that people out there still look up to him and talk about him, it keeps his memory alive. I know he would love it too! He loved his fans very much. When his movies come on television, it's almost like he is still here with me and I remember him as though it was only yesterday.
Q-Do you think your dad would still be involved with wrestling if he was still here? How did he feel about the business, he seemed like a very happy man entertaining fans.
A-Oh man, entertaining was everything to him! He couldn't get enough of the attention and fans. I know he enjoyed wrestling and was good at it. However, I think if he were still with us today, he'd be in a lot more films and most likely a household name. That's where he was headed right before he passed.
Q-Is there anything you would like to say to fans of your father at this time? Please share.
A-I appreciate every single person out there who loved my dad as so many did and still do. I know without a doubt it would make him very happy to know he still has fans out there. Not everyone gets to be reminded of a passed loved one as much as I do, I'm very grateful for that.
The Legendary Jeep Swenson, Who wrestled in Texas, WCW & also is very well known for playing the DC Comic Character Bane in the 1998 Batman Returns Blockbuster.