Hulk Hogan, who helped lead professional wrestling’s rise in popularity in the 1980s and beyond, has died, Florida police and World Wrestling Entertainment said Thursday. He was 71.
“WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away,” the organization said in a statement. “One of pop culture’s most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans.”
Born Terry Bollea, Hogan began wrestling in the mid-1970s. His popularity soared in 1984 after he defeated the Iron Sheik to win the heavyweight championship of what was then called the World Wrestling Federation.
According to the police statement, fire and police in Clearwater, Fla., responded to a medical call at 9:51 a.m. ET, with the nature of the call being cardiac arrest.
Hogan was treated on scene before being transported to hospital where he was pronounced deceased, the statement said.
“We are heartbroken. He was such a great human being and friend,” Linda Bose, listed on IMDB as Hogan’s manager, told CBC News in an email confirming his death.
From the ring to the big screen
“Hulkamania,” as the energy he created was called, started running wild in the mid-1980s and pushed professional wrestling into the mainstream. He was a flag-waving American hero with the horseshoe mustache, red and yellow gear, and massive arms he called his “24-inch pythons.”
Cast as a patriot, Hogan was pitted in Vince McMahon’s WWF against opponents like the Iranian Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff, a Russian character. The wrestling organization scored a TV deal with NBC, and Hogan was front and centre, entering the ring beginning in 1985 to Real American, the song written by rock musician Rick Derringer, who died in May.
Fans cheered his in-ring exploits, which included a body slam of Andre the Giant, as well as a legendary match against the Ultimate Warrior at WrestleMania in Toronto in 1990. He appeared again at the Toronto-hosted WrestleMania of 2002, taking on Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson.
In between stints with the WWE/WWF, he took a turn as a villain with the rival World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in the 1990s. Hogan signed on with WCW not long after being called to testify by the prosecution in a steroid conspiracy case against McMahon.
“I would go by the office and pick up the steroids along with my paycheque and fan mail,” Hogan said from the stand.
Paving the way for wrestlers-turned-actors such as Johnson and John Cena, Hogan also appeared on screen in fictional roles in Rocky III, Suburban Commando and Mr. Nanny. From 2005-07, he joined the reality television trend with Hogan Knows Best, starring his then-wife and two children.
Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 by none other than Sylvester Stallone.
The wrestling icon also waded into politics in recent years. He made headlines last year when he endorsed Donald Trump during his second presidential candidacy. Hogan called Trump his “hero” and ripped off his shirt to reveal a red Trump-Vance one underneath.
“Let Trumpamania run wild! Let Trumpamania rule again! Let Trumpamania make America Great Again!” Hogan shouted at the crowd.
In 2016, he reached a $31 million US settlement with Gawker after a significant legal battle. Hogan sued the online publication after they posted a video of the wrestler having sex with a woman who was not his wife. He contended the 2012 post violated his privacy.
