Stevie Lee, who wrestled as Puppet the Psycho Dwarf and appeared in Johnny Knoxville’s 2010 film Jackass 3D, has died at the age of 54. Lee died this past Wednesday in his home, according to a GoFundMe page set up to help cover his funeral costs.
The crowdfunding page also includes a statement from Lee’s family, which reads in part: “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 on people’s faces across the world with his hardcore attitude and lifestyle.”
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
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) September 10, 2020
Lee, born Stevie Lee Richardson, made his wrestling debut in 1992 and after years on the independent circuit, the Tri-State Wrestling Alliance, and the Eastern Championship Wrestling, he made the jump to on-camera wrestling in 2002’s NWA: Total Nonstop Action. Eight years later, Lee erupted onto TV screens across the country with Spike TV’s reality series Half Pint Brawlers, and also the big screen with Jackass 3D.
RIP Stevie Lee aka Puppet the Psycho Dwarf. I’ll never forget the crazy tour of the UK we shared and the fun we all had. Godspeed my friend.
— Frankie Kazarian (@FrankieKazarian) September 11, 2020
In 2013, Richardson took a further star turn, playing the role of Munchkin in 2013’s Oz the Great and Powerful. He also appeared in an episode of American Horror Story: Freak Show the following year.
