Asbjørn 'Bear' Riis
| Asbjørn Riis | |
|---|---|
| Born |
28 July 1957 V. Hvidbjerg, Mors, Denmark |
Asbjørn Riis (born 28 July 1957) is a Danish professional wrestler, actor and TV personality, who is best known internationally for portraying the role of the 10th warrior, Halga the Wise, in the movie The 13th Warrior.
Riis was also known as a Hulk Hogan lookalike in the early 1990s, when he presented WWF and WCW on Danish TV channel TV3.
Riis created his "The Great Dane Bear" character in 1991 and it remains his image to this day.
Riis originates from the small island of Mors. His recognizable accent and local jargon made him a fan-favorite, and the subject of many parodies by Danish comedians and entertainers.
In the mid-1990s, Riis hosted his own television program on the Danish TV channel TV3, showcasing first WWF Superstars and later, after the World Wrestling Federation, showcased World Championship Wrestling.
He was a Danish commentator for wrestling matches, uttering classic phrases such as "U-behagelig." (unpleasant, nasty) and "Vi må ikke håbe han har fået gule ærter til aftensmad." (Let's hope he hasn't had yellow pea soup for dinner).
Riis appeared as himself in a number of Tuborg Squash-commercials, where he jovially beats up two squash-players, while a tune is playing the words "Du' min aller-bedste Squash-Buddy." (You're my very best Squash-Buddy).
In 2009 Riis hosted the Danish TV channel 6'eren, presenting Friday Fight Night, a package including wrestling, American Gladiators and action movies.
Riis is good friends with fellow Danish actor Sven-Ole Thorsen (longtime friend of Arnold Schwarzenegger). He also had a part in The 13th Warrior, and the cult sci-fi show Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future.
He has run a professional wrestling school in Denmark since 1994, and has produced several local house shows around the country.
Riis has 4 sons, one of whom, Klaus Myren Riis, is also a wrestler and bodybuilder. Klaus also works as a fashion model.
Riis still wrestles to this day.