Daryl Karolat (born December 8, 1966), most famously known as Tyler Mane, is a Canadian actor and retired professional wrestler. From bringing iconic characters to life to producing feature films, Tyler Mane has proven time and time again that he is a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry.
Early Life and Wrestling Career
A native of Saskatoon, Canada, Tyler briefly played semi-pro football, before his childhood dream of becoming a professional wrestler began. As a teenager, Karolat travelled to Calgary, where he trained briefly with Stu Hart. He later began training with Red Bastien in 1986, and completed further training with Mando Guerrero.
Mane began his career in 1986 under the name "Skywalker Nitron" in his native Canada. In 1987, he toured New Japan Pro-Wrestling as "Gully Gaspar", alongside Billy and Barry as a bunch of hockey-masked pirates managed by KY Wakamatsu. In 1990, Karolat began wrestling in Puerto Rico and toured with All Japan Pro Wrestling, where he participated in the World's Strongest Tag Determination League.
From 1986-1999, Mane wrestled professionally all over the world for the WCW and the UWF, as “Big Sky,” with his tag team partner, Kevin Nash, as the evil Nitron.
World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and Universal Wrestling Federation (UWF)
Mane began his wrestling career with World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in 1989 as "Nitron" sometimes "Nitro" the bodyguard for Woman. In 1993, he signed with World Championship Wrestling, under the name "Big Sky" and teamed with Vinnie Vegas. After Vegas left WCW to become Diesel in the WWF, Mane was left in limbo and left WCW by the end of the year.
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In 1994, he joined Herb Abrams' Universal Wrestling Federation and became the only UWF MGM Grand Champion, defeating Steve Ray to win the vacant title.
Transition to Acting
His acting debut began in 2000, when he starred as Sabretooth in Marvel Studio’s X-MEN. After retiring from wrestling, he appeared in numerous films, including How to Make a Monster (as Hardcore), Joe Dirt, The Scorpion King, Troy (as Ajax), Hercules (as Antaeus), and The Devil's Rejects (in the uncredited role of Rufus).
The role of Sabretooth was initially intended for Mane's former wrestling tag team partner, Kevin Nash, but was awarded to Mane due to Nash's scheduling conflicts.
Tyler Mane Interview with CrAzY MaRK
Iconic Role as Michael Myers
In 2007, he filmed Rob Zombie's remake of Halloween, in which he played the iconic starring role of Michael Myers. After winning the role, he noted that he consecutively watched seven of the eight Halloween films (excluding the third because Michael Myers does not appear) to better understand his character.
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Mane Entertainment
In 2010, he and his wife launched their own production company: Mane Entertainment. When Mane isn’t acting, you can find him running his production company, Mane Entertainment. Mane’s company has produced two feature films: Compound Fracture and Penance Lane.
Filmography Highlights
Additional film credits include PLAYING WITH FIRE, TROY, JOE DIRT, THE SCORPION KING, Rob Zombie’s HALLOWEEN, where he starred as Michael Myers, and THE DEVIL’S REJECTS, to name a few.
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | X-Men | Sabretooth |
| 2002 | The Scorpion King | |
| 2004 | Troy | Ajax |
| 2005 | Hercules | Antaeus |
| 2007 | Halloween | Michael Myers |
| Various | Mane Entertainment Productions | Producer/Actor |
Personal Life
Mane was previously married to Jean Goertz from 1988 to 2003 with whom he had two children, a daughter (b. 1995) and a son (b.
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