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Richard Eugene Landrum (March 31, 1946 – August 14, 2023) was an American radio and television broadcaster, who was best known for hosting the syndicated program World Wide Wrestling from late 1978 to early 1982. He started his broadcasting career at the age of 16, while attending Douglas S. Freeman High School in western Henrico County (a Richmond suburb).
While assistant manager for a Little League Baseball team with Neil Kuvin, the station manager for co-owned WRIC-TV in Petersburg, Kuvin convinced Landrum to move to WXEX-TV. At first, Landrum was not sure he wanted to move to TV, as he really enjoyed the anonymity of radio. Kuvin finally convinced him and Landrum started his TV career as a field reporter and news photographer. Shortly thereafter, in addition to being a field reporter, he hosted the afternoon version of Dialing for Dollars and filled in as a sports presenter on the 6:00 & 11:00 news, when needed.
In 1972, Landrum left WXEX-TV, as he was uncertain that he wanted to continue his broadcast career. He entered the automobile business, but still maintained his ties with wrestling as a ring announcer. In 1977, after local wrestling had moved permanently to the Richmond Coliseum, he was approached by George Scott, who was then the booker for Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP) of Charlotte, North Carolina. JCP promoted wrestling throughout the mid-Atlantic states and produced two syndicated professional wrestling TV shows (Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling and WCW WorldWide). Scott said that they wanted Landrum to audition as a promo announcer for their two TV shows and asked him to come to Raleigh, the following week, when they taped the promos and shows at WRAL-TV. Landrum showed up and later said, "It was the longest and hardest afternoon" he had ever had in broadcasting. Nevertheless, he was given the job and his broadcasting career in professional wrestling started in earnest.
In 1978, Landrum took over the commentary for the revamped World Wide Wrestling (formerly Wide World Wrestling). Johnny Weaver, who provided the color commentary, later joined him. Weaver was a well-known wrestler in the JCP stable. Landrum dubbed him “The Dean of Professional Wrestling” on the opening of their show one night, and that nickname stuck for the rest of Weaver’s career. Not to be outdone, Weaver started calling Landrum “The Voice”. It has often been reported that of all the announcer teams of that era, Weaver and Landrum are the most remembered for their smooth approach, their interaction with one another and their respect for their contemporaries.
In 1982, after Crockett moved its TV taping operation to WCNC-TV in Charlotte, North Carolina, Landrum was let go in a cost-cutting measure. In 1983, he was approached by George Scott, who was then booking for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). Scott explained that they were looking for a third announcer. Landrum did not take much convincing, and he went to Baltimore for an audition. He stayed with the WWF for about a year. After the WWF there was a short spell with the International Championship Wrestling hosting their TV shows from Boston.
In May 2000, Landrum founded American Hearth and Home and has been the owner ever since. However, he has never lost touch with professional wrestling, as he made personal appearances at wrestling shows and fanfests throughout Virginia and the Carolinas. "I love meeting and seeing the fans. They call me a ‘legend’, but I’m not sure I qualify for that," Landrum said.
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