American Gladiators was a television series which ran from 1989 through 1997. It was basically a game show, in which contestants who prided themselves on their physical fitness matched themselves against the program's stable of athletes in a variety of feats of strength and agility.

The contests were often quite extravagant and elaborate, with challenges featuring things such as highwires, steel cages, swinging ropes, and other obstacle course fare.

Each week, two "normal" men competed against the male Gladiators and two women competed against the female Gladiators. The male and female champions at the end of each season won $35,000.

There was a version in the United Kingdom simply called Gladiators.

Contestant Rico Constantino went on to become well-known as a professional wrestler in the WWE, under the name of "Rico."

Hosts

• Mike Adamle (1989-1997)
• Joe Theismann (1989)
• Todd Christensen (1989-1990)
• Larry Csonka (1990-1993)
• Lisa Malosky (1993-1995)

List of Gladiators

the following three Gladiators appeared for the duration of the show:

• Jim Starr .... Laser
• Raye Hollitt .... Zap
• Lori Fetrick .... Ice

The following Gladiators were with the show for the years listed

• Erika Andersch .... Diamond (1990-1993)
• Cheryl Barldinger .... Sunny (1989)
• Salina Bartunek .... Elektra (1992-1993)
• Shelley Beattie .... Siren (1992-1997)
• Chuck Berlinger .... Viper (1992-1993)
• Danny Lee Clark .... Nitro (1989-1992) (Clark became a co-host of the show in 1994, under the name of Dan Clark)
• Debbie Clark .... Storm (1991-1993)
• Daz Crawford .... Diesel (1993-1997)
• Shirley Eson .... Sky (1992-1997)
• Victoria Gay .... Jazz (1993-1997)
• Shannon Hall .... Dallas (1995)
• Steve Henneberry .... Tower (1991-1994)
• Michael M. Horton .... Gemini (1989-1992)
• Tonya Knight .... Gold (1989-1992)
• Natalie Lennox .... Lace (1992-1993)
• Deron McBee .... Malibu (1989)
• Bobby Moore .... Rage (???)(posed in Playboy)
• David Nelson .... Titan (1989-1990)
• Marisa Pare .... Lace (1989-1992) (posed in Playboy)
• Sha-Ri Pendleton .... Blaze (1989-1992)
• Ed Radcliffe .... Tank (1995)
• Lee Reherman .... Hawk (1993-1997)
• Cathy Sassin .... Panther (1992-????) (alternate gladiatior)
• Billy Smith .... Thunder (1990-1992)
• Galen Tomlinson .... Turbo (1990-1997)
• Mark Tucker .... Rebel (1993)
• Barry Turner .... Cyclone (1992-1993)
• Lynn 'Red' Williams .... Sabre (1992-1997)