(Photo from WWE.com)

The WWE has announced that the long time manager for The Undertaker, Paul Bearer, has passed away earlier today.

The WWE said that they are "saddened to learn of the passing of William Moody, aka Paul Bearer," in a statement released on their site today. 

Paul Bearer, who is known in real life as William Alvin "Bill" Moody, first made his debut with the WWE (then known as WWF) in 1991 as the manager of The Undertaker. He has been a staple of the wrestling league for over 20 years, appearing as the manager of not only The Undertaker but also Kane, The Undertaker's supposed long lost brother.