Legendary boxing ref Mills Lane — maybe greatest recognized for his portrayal in MTV’s iconic “Celebrity Deathmatch” present — has sadly died, his son introduced.
He was 85 years previous.
Tommy Lane instructed the Reno Gazette Journal Mills handed away on Tuesday morning in Nevada … after being in hospice the previous few days.
“He took a significant decline in his overall situation,” Tommy stated of his dad to the outlet. “It was a quick departure. He was comfortable and he was surrounded by his family.”
Mills started boxing in his 20s whereas within the Marines, and shortly stacked up a powerful resume — finally logging a 10-1 file as a professional. He later turned a ref within the sport.
It was in 1997, although, that he gained nationwide fame … whereas reffing the notorious Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield ear-biting bout.
After Iron Mike had taken chunks of Holyfield’s ear, it was Mills who finally DQ’ed the previous champ. Mills then ultimately retired from reffing in 1998.
Mills went on to host his personal courtroom present, “Judge Mills Lane” … in addition to being featured in “Celebrity Deathmatch.”
Within the MTV manufacturing, an animated clay model of Mills began each bout by screaming, “Let’s Get It On!” The present gained an enormous following for its gory illustration of celeb fights.
Mills ultimately left the present in 2002 after struggling a stroke, being changed by Chris Edgerly within the 2006 reboot.
Throughout his lifetime, Mills — who was inducted into the Worldwide Boxing Corridor of Fame in 2013 — additionally labored as a prosecutor, a district legal professional and a real-life choose.
RIP.