Dustin Patrick Runnels
- Born:
- April 11, 1969, Austin, Texas, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Professional Wrestler, Actor
Early Life and Education
- Son of WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes and Sandra Runnels.
- Brother of Cody Rhodes, also a professional wrestler.
- Attended high school in Florida.
Career and Major Achievements
- Began his professional wrestling career in 1988.
- Gained significant recognition in World Championship Wrestling (WCW).
- Achieved mainstream success in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF/WWE) as Goldust, a sexually ambiguous and theatrically bizarre character.
- Multiple-time WWE Intercontinental Champion.
- Multiple-time WWE Hardcore Champion.
- Three-time WWE Tag Team Champion (two with Booker T, one with Cody Rhodes).
- Also wrestled for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) and All Elite Wrestling (AEW).
Notable Works
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Meet Wally Sparks | Himself | Cameo |
| 2015 | Meeting Evil | Bartender | Direct-to-video |
| 2016 | The Murders of Brandywine Theater | Detective Boyd | Also known as Pro Wrestlers vs Zombies |
| 2022 | Terror Train 2 | The Magician | Film |
Legacy and Impact
The enduring appeal of Dustin Runnels, particularly his Goldust persona, lies in its groundbreaking portrayal of ambiguity and theatricality within professional wrestling. The biography of Goldust reveals a character that pushed boundaries and contributed to the evolution of sports entertainment, inspiring countless performers with its creative expression.