Hulk Hogan, the wrestling icon and actor who became the most recognized star in the sport, has died. He was 71.
According to the Clearwater Police Department in Florida, Hogan died Thursday morning due to cardiac arrest. He was treated by a rescue crew before being taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
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Hogan, born Terry Gene Bollea, grew up in Florida. The WWE Hall of Fame wrestler, known for walking out to his theme song “Real American,” represented national patriotism within the wrestling world. He soared to fame in the 1980s after winning against the Iron Sheik and cementing “Hulkamania” momentum in one of the most culturally impactful matches of his career. That fight made him the World Wrestling Federation’s heavyweight winner.
He later lost the championship title competing against Andre the Giant in 1988. Hogan stepped away from the WWF (now known as WWE) in the 1990s after a steroid controversy. The ’90s also saw the wrestler further his acting pursuits. He had already played a part in 1982’s “Rocky III,” and his Hollywood career continued with roles in 1990’s “Gremlins 2: The New Batch,” 1991’s “Suburban Commando,” 1993’s “Mr. Nanny” and 1996’s “Santa With Muscles.”
“WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away. 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,” the WWE wrote on social media.
Hogan decided to fight for World Championship Wrestling, a WWE competitor, in 1994. He debuted his heel persona, Hollywood Hogan, in 1996, and rejoined WWE in the early 2000s.
In 2012, the online news outlet Gawker published a sex tape of Hogan and Heather Clem, who was married to Hogan’s friend, Bubba the Love Sponge. Hogan then sued Gawker and won $140 million in an infamous legal fight that shut down the outlet and led to a debate over online privacy and First Amendment rights.
Although Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005, the organization removed that honor in 2015 in light of his use of a racial slur in another sex tape. He was reinstated in 2018.
Hogan was a supporter of Donald Trump and spoke in favor of the the candidate at the Republican National Convention in 2024.
Hogan is survived by his wife, Sky Hogan, as well as his ex-wife Linda Hogan and their children, Brooke Hogan and Nick Hogan. He and Linda Hogan’s marriage lasted from 1983 to 2009. He was also married to Jennifer McDaniel from 2010 to 2021.
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