Originally published on ProWrestlingSheet.

WWE has just confirmed legendary announcer "Mean" Gene Okerlund passed away.

"WWE is saddened to learn that WWE Hall of Famer Gene Okerlund, the most recognizable interviewer in sports-entertainment history, has passed away at age 76," the company said in a statement. 

No additional information on cause of death has been made available at this time.

Okerlund first came up in the business working for the AWA. In 1984, he made the jump to WWF. Besides doing backstage interviews, Gene also did commentary for All-American Wrestling, Tuesday Night Titans, Wrestling Challenge and Prime Time Wrestling.

The announcer joined WCW in 1994, but ultimately returned home in 2001. 

"Mean Gene I love you my brother," tweeted Hulk Hogan -- who was involved in many famous promos with the legendary announcer. 

Gene was last seen photographed in November. 

We here at The Sheet offer our most heartfelt condolences to the Okerlund family.