Bobby "The Brain" Heenan

, considered pro wrestling's greatest commentator and manager by many, has died.

He was 73.

Heenan had been battling health issues for many years since contracting cancer in 2002,

.

World Wrestling Entertainment, his former longtime employer, confirmed the news Sunday evening.

"With a career spanning more than four decades, Bobby Heenan was the 'The Brain' behind some of the most prolific Superstars in sports-entertainment history," a WWE.com press release said. "Heenan plied his trade as their mischievous manager by running his mouth on their behalf with a sarcastic wit considered among the best in the business."

As leader of his eponymous Heenan Family, "the Brain" managed an impressive slate of pro wrestling legends including the Blackjacks, Big John Studd, King Kong Bundy, "Ravishing" Rick Rude, "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig, the Brain Busters (Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard), Harley Race and Andre the Giant.

One of the industry's most versatile contributors, Heenan also excelled in the commentating booth, proving a perfect comedic counterpart to the likes of Gorilla Monsoon and "Mean" Gene Okerlund.

Also nicknamed "the Weasel," he joined WWE (then the World Wrestling Federation) in 1984 following his success in AWA. He retired from managing but continued announcing, then left WWE for World Championship Wrestling in 1993.

Heenan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004.

See tweets from various pro wrestling folks about Heenan's passing below:

RIP Bobby "The Brain" Heenan - one of the GREATEST and most influential personas our business has ever known. pic.twitter.com/BUDikV0z2X — Mick Foley (@RealMickFoley) September 17, 2017

Hearing of the passing of Bobby Heenan certainly brings sadness, but, being blessed to witness his genius 1st hand, also brings a smile, RIP — Michael PS Hayes (@MichaelPSHayes1) September 17, 2017

Bobby Heenan died today and it has left me very sad. He was the best of the best in the biz and a friend. RIP Bobby. Praying for you Cindy pic.twitter.com/T8wuFAYuST — Ted DiBiase (@MDMTedDiBiase) September 17, 2017

Bobby Heenan was great at all that he did

Manager

Wrestler

Announcer

Host

The Brain

Weasel

Celebrate his life on @WWENetwork

1 of a kind pic.twitter.com/RdcVzUCmK4 — Tommy Dreamer (@THETOMMYDREAMER) September 17, 2017

Very sorry to hear of the passing of Bobby "The Brain " Heenan.I was fortunate to work, laugh and learn from him.A great man. — William Regal (@RealKingRegal) September 17, 2017

The news of Bobby "The Brain" Heenan's passing today gutted me.



I loved our time together.



No one ever did it better than the Wease. — Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) September 17, 2017

Bobby Heenan... The Greatest Manager, One Of The Greatest Announcers, And One Of The Best In-Ring Performers In The History Of The Business — Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) September 17, 2017