| Charles David Lewis, Jr. | |
|---|---|
Charles Lewis, Jr. at ArnoldFest 2009 |
|
| Born | June 23, 1963 San Bernardino, California |
| Died | March 11, 2009 (aged 46) Newport Beach, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Mask |
| Occupation | Businessman, entertainer |
| Known for | TapouT co-founder and television personality |
Charles Lewis, Jr. (June 23, 1963 – March 11, 2009) was an American businessman, promoter and entertainer. Known by his nickname "Mask", Lewis founded the TapouT clothing line in 1997, which eventually became a multi-million dollar clothing company.[1]
Mask was posthumously inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in July 2009, becoming the first and only non-fighter to enter the UFC Hall of Fame.
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In 1997, Lewis and his two friends began selling mixed martial arts apparel from the back of their Mustang. By 2007, the company had revenue of $22.5 million, with a 2009 target of $225 million.[2] Lewis was known as Mask, because of stripes of facepaint he frequently wore.[1]
In 2007, Lewis – along with promoters "Skyskrape" and "Punkass" – starred in TapouT, a reality television series on cable channel Versus that followed up-and-coming mixed martial arts fighters. The second season of the program began airing in July 2008.[2]
Shortly before 1:00 am on March 11, 2009, Lewis died in a high-speed car crash in Newport Beach, California.[1] Witnesses to the accident claimed Lewis had ingested alcohol briefly before the incident as well. His Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale, a race version of the Ferrari 360 Modena collided with a 1977 Porsche before hitting a light pole. It is presumed that the two vehicles were traveling alongside one another at high-speed, and were most likely engaged in a "street race". Lewis was declared dead at the scene. 23-year-old Lacy Lynn White, a female occupant of Lewis's Ferrari, was ejected from the vehicle and was taken to a hospital. She suffered a fractured elbow and lacerations.[3] The driver of the Porsche was arrested for "alcohol-related gross vehicular manslaughter".[1] As a tribute to his contributions to the UFC, Mask was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame at the UFC 100 Fan Expo, and Lewis' name was made a permanent feature on the inside of the door to the Octagon.[4]
In 2009, Lewis was featured in UFC 2009 Undisputed as an unlockable fighter along with "Skyscrape" and "Punkass" all not dressed in standard UFC attire but in Tapout clothes including hats, shirts, and shoes. Unlockable by achieving three consecutive submission victories in Career mode, he fights in the Light Heavyweight class.
In 2010, Lewis was also featured in UFC 2010 Undisputed alongside "Skyscrape" and "Punkass" for a second time. All of them were still featured fully dressed in their Tapout clothing. This time they were unlockable by a code that can be entered in the main menu.