One of TNA’s earliest stars is no longer with us. Stevie Lee, who was known in the ring as Puppet The Psycho Dwarf, passed away earlier this week. IMPACT Wrestling shared the news with its followers today:
It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of Stevie Lee, better known as "Puppet The Psycho Dwarf" in the early days of TNA. We send our deepest condolences to his friends and family. pic.twitter.com/tdVdCFkNCJ
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) September 10, 2020
Lee appeared on several early NWA-TNA weekly PPVs, including a memorable incident where he pulled a (kayfabe) gun on Jeff Jarrett in the ring. Outside of TNA, he also ran the Half Pint Brawlers organization, a midget wrestling league that starred in a six-episode reality television series on Spike TV. Lee also appeared outside of wrestling in film and TV, including Jackass 3D, Oz The Great and Powerful, and American Horror Story.
His death was sudden and he was still working in 2020, including gaining the role T-Bag in an independent horror film entitled The True Tale of Ole Splitfoot vs. The Lesbian Warrior Nuns of the Great White North. His family has set up a GoFundMe page to help with his funeral expenses, leaving the following message in memorial:
Steve “Puppet The Psycho Dwarf” Lee Richardson unexpectedly passed away on Wednesday, September 9, 2020 at his home in the morning. He was beloved by many and has many friends that were family, fans that adored him, but only his brother Jim left to take care of final arrangements. Puppet has put smiles across the world with his hardcore attitude and lifestyle. He is a legend in the art of Midget Wrestling. He needs our help to give him one last curtain call. Please donate what you can, share his memories with everyone, and share this fundraiser to give the Psycho Dwarf the best resting place possible. All proceeds will be given to Jim Richardson to handle the services/burial costs. Thank you all so much and Puppet, we love you brother!
Everyone at WrestleZone gives our condolences to the family, friends, and fans of Stevie Lee.
