Digest

This episode of Crime in Sports delves into the life of Wilhelm von Humberg, a German boxer and actor known for his unconventional personality, flamboyant style, and controversial life. The episode begins by introducing Wilhelm's father, Richard Gruppe, a former boxer and wrestler with a complex past that included Nazi involvement, athletic achievements, and questionable moral choices. The episode then follows Wilhelm's journey, from his early boxing career in Germany and the United States to his acting roles in films like "Ghostbusters 2" and "Die Hard." The episode also explores Wilhelm's troubled personal life, including his strained relationships with his family, his descent into drug and alcohol abuse, and his eventual death from prostate cancer. The episode concludes with a discussion of Wilhelm's legacy and the impact he had on those who knew him.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction and Show Overview

This episode of Crime in Sports introduces the show and its hosts, James Petrogallum and Jimmy. They discuss upcoming content, including a deep dive into the Vince McMahon documentary, a continuation of the Ted Bundy psychological assessment, and their upcoming live show.

00:00:57

The Story of Norbert Gruppe and Richard Gruppe

The episode delves into the life of Norbert Gruppe, a German man born in 1940 during World War II. The hosts discuss his father, Richard Gruppe, a former boxer and wrestler with a colorful and often disturbing past. Richard's life is described as a mix of athletic achievements, Nazi involvement, and questionable moral choices.

00:30:55

Norbert Gruppe's Military Service and Journey to Russia

The episode continues with Norbert Gruppe's military service in the Luftwaffe during World War II. He is initially stationed in Hamburg but is eventually sent to the Russian front. The hosts discuss the dangers of the Russian front and the lengths to which Norbert went to avoid being sent there.

00:39:16

The Disturbing Truth About Wilhelm von Humberg

The episode reveals the dark side of Norbert Gruppe's son, Wilhelm von Humberg. Wilhelm is described as a troubled individual who raped his stepmother and had a strained relationship with his father. The hosts discuss the conflicting accounts of Wilhelm's relationship with his family and his eventual career as a wrestler and boxer.

01:01:01

Wilhelm von Humberg's Boxing Career

The episode focuses on Wilhelm von Humberg's boxing career, highlighting his early fights and his rise to notoriety in the Los Angeles boxing scene. The hosts discuss his aggressive fighting style, his controversial persona, and his eventual decline in the sport.

01:09:59

Wilhelm von Humberg's Legacy and Impact on Boxing

The episode concludes with a discussion of Wilhelm von Humberg's legacy as a boxer and his impact on the Los Angeles boxing scene. The hosts discuss his controversial personality, his unique fighting style, and his lasting impact on the sport.

01:15:34

Wilhelm von Humberg's Early Life and Boxing Career

This chapter introduces Wilhelm von Humberg, a German boxer known for his unconventional personality and fighting style. It covers his early boxing career, his unique training methods, and his controversial views on American girls and European women.

01:25:36

Wilhelm's Acting Career and Gun Smoke Appearance

This chapter delves into Wilhelm's foray into acting, highlighting his appearance on the popular TV show "Gun Smoke" as a boxer. It discusses his acting aspirations and his comparison of acting to boxing.

01:29:14

Wilhelm's Boxing Career in Germany and the "Beetle Boxer" Persona

This chapter focuses on Wilhelm's boxing career in Germany, where he adopted a flamboyant persona inspired by Muhammad Ali. It describes his antics in the ring and his popularity among German audiences.

01:39:56

Wilhelm's Controversial Interview and the "Boxing Prints" Documentary

This chapter explores a pivotal moment in Wilhelm's career: a 1969 TV interview where he remained silent and menacing, creating a lasting impression. It also introduces a documentary about his life, "Boxing Prints," which delves into his darker side.

01:55:12

Wilhelm's Post-Retirement Life and Descent into Drugs and Alcohol

This chapter details Wilhelm's life after retirement, his move to Hamburg's red light district, and his descent into drug and alcohol abuse. It highlights his unconventional lifestyle and the impact it had on his relationships.

02:01:58

Wilhelm's Unexpected Encounter with Vince McMahon and the Die Hard Role

This chapter recounts a surprising encounter between Wilhelm and Vince McMahon, who recognized his potential for entertainment. It also reveals Wilhelm's role as a villain in the blockbuster film "Die Hard."

02:05:44

The Revelation of Wilhelm's Fatherhood and Rhona's Relationship with Him

This chapter unveils the shocking revelation that Wilhelm might be the father of Rhona, his sister's daughter. It explores Rhona's complex relationship with Wilhelm, despite his past actions.

02:08:29

Wilhelm's Iconic Role as Vigo the Carpathian in Ghostbusters 2

This chapter focuses on Wilhelm's most famous role: Vigo the Carpathian in "Ghostbusters 2." It discusses the casting process, the challenges of playing a character confined to a painting, and the controversy surrounding the voice dubbing.

02:13:25

Wilhelm's Later Acting Career and Notable Roles

This chapter covers Wilhelm's later acting career, highlighting his roles in films like "The Package," "Midnight Cabaret," and "Digstown." It also mentions his appearances in various low-budget action movies.

02:23:15

Wilhelm's Final Acting Role and Legacy

This chapter concludes with Wilhelm's final acting role in the German TV show "Rosa Roth." It reflects on his unconventional life and the lasting impact he had on those who knew him.

02:23:58

The Life and Death of Wilhelm von Homburg

This chapter delves into the life and death of Wilhelm von Homburg, a controversial figure known for his eccentric behavior and troubled past. The chapter explores his financial struggles, his strained relationship with his sister, and his eventual death from prostate cancer.

02:26:49

Wilhelm's Personality and Relationships

This chapter examines Wilhelm's personality and his relationships with others. It highlights his tendency to provoke and anger people, his mood swings, and his struggles with drug addiction. The chapter also explores his complex relationships with friends and his reluctance to settle down.

02:30:13

Wilhelm's Legacy and Merchandise

This chapter discusses Wilhelm's legacy and the availability of merchandise related to him. It mentions the Ghostbusters franchise, a Werner Herzog movie he starred in, and a headshot from the Ghostbusters 2 era.

02:31:33

Wilhelm's Nazi Past

This chapter reveals Wilhelm's past as a Nazi, a fact that was previously unknown to the podcast hosts. It discusses the implications of this revelation and the potential for further exploration of his past.

02:32:09

Show Wrap-Up and Patreon Promotion

This chapter concludes the podcast episode with a call to action for listeners to leave reviews, subscribe to the Patreon, and listen to bonus content. It also highlights upcoming topics on the Patreon, including the Vince McMahon documentary and the second part of Ted Bundy's psychological examination.

02:33:37

Shout-Out to Executive Producers and Patrons

This chapter expresses gratitude to the executive producers and patrons who support the show. It lists their names and acknowledges their contributions.

02:39:26

Thank You to Patrons and Social Media

This chapter reiterates thanks to the patrons and encourages listeners to follow the show on social media. It provides instructions on how to find the show's social media accounts.

02:39:52

Sign-Off and Next Week's Episode

This chapter concludes the podcast episode with a sign-off and a preview of next week's episode. It also mentions the availability of early access to the podcast through Wundery Plus and Amazon Music.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is the story of Norbert Gruppe and his father, Richard Gruppe?

  Norbert Gruppe was born in 1940 during World War II in Germany. His father, Richard Gruppe, was a former boxer and wrestler with a complex past that included Nazi involvement, athletic achievements, and questionable moral choices. Richard's life was a mix of success and disturbing behavior, which shaped Norbert's upbringing.

• How did Norbert Gruppe's military service in the Luftwaffe during World War II impact his life?

  Norbert Gruppe served in the Luftwaffe during World War II and was initially stationed in Hamburg. He was eventually sent to the Russian front, but he went to great lengths to avoid being sent there. The dangers of the Russian front and the lengths to which Norbert went to avoid it highlight the brutality of the war and the desperation of those involved.

• What is the disturbing truth about Wilhelm von Humberg, Norbert Gruppe's son?

  Wilhelm von Humberg, Norbert Gruppe's son, was a troubled individual who raped his stepmother and had a strained relationship with his father. The conflicting accounts of Wilhelm's relationship with his family and his eventual career as a wrestler and boxer reveal a complex and disturbing personality.

• What was Wilhelm von Humberg's boxing career like?

  Wilhelm von Humberg's boxing career was marked by his aggressive fighting style, his controversial persona, and his eventual decline in the sport. He was known for his theatrics and his ability to stir up the crowd, but his boxing skills were ultimately limited.

• What is Wilhelm von Humberg's legacy as a boxer?

  Wilhelm von Humberg's legacy as a boxer is a mixed one. He was a controversial figure who was both admired and reviled for his personality and his fighting style. His impact on the Los Angeles boxing scene was significant, but his career was ultimately short-lived.

• What was the revelation that changed Rhona's relationship with Wilhelm?

  Rhona discovered that Wilhelm might be her father, a shocking revelation that stemmed from her father's confession and a subsequent blood test. Despite his past actions, Rhona maintained a connection with Wilhelm, finding solace in his resemblance to her father.

• Why was Wilhelm's voice dubbed in "Ghostbusters 2"?

  Wilhelm's voice was deemed unsuitable for the character of Vigo the Carpathian, lacking the theatrical quality that the role required. His voice was replaced with that of Max von Sydow, a renowned Swedish actor.

• What were some of Wilhelm's most notable roles in films and television?

  Wilhelm appeared in various films and television shows, including "The Package," "Midnight Cabaret," "Digstown," "Silence of the Hams," "The Mouth of Madness," and "Rosa Roth." He also had roles in several low-budget action movies.

• What was Wilhelm's legacy?

  Wilhelm von Humberg was a complex and controversial figure, known for his unconventional personality, his boxing career, and his acting roles. He left a lasting impression on those who knew him, both for his charisma and his destructive tendencies. His life story is a testament to the unpredictable nature of fame and the consequences of unchecked ambition.

• What is the significance of Wilhelm's Nazi past?

  The revelation of Wilhelm's Nazi past adds a new layer of complexity to his legacy. It raises questions about his motivations and the extent to which his past influenced his behavior.

Show Notes