Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan has died. He was 71.
Hogan died Thursday from cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Fla. Local authorities said paramedics were dispatched to Hogan’s residence early Thursday and transported the former pro wrestler to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
“We are heartbroken,” Hogan’s manager, Linda Bose, said in a statement to Entertainment Weekly. “He was such a great human being and friend.”
Hogan, born Terry Bollea before adapting his ubiquitous stage name, began his wrestling career in 1977 but gained wider global recognition after he signed with World Wrestling Entertainment, then referred to as the World Wrestling Federation, in the early 1980s, ushering in a period referred to as Hulkamania.
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He was best known for his over-the-top showmanship, having adapted a charismatic, all-American persona that helped bring professional wrestling to the mainstream. Throughout his career, Hogan headlined the WWE’s flagship event WrestleMania eight times and has won the WWE championship six times.
Hogan departed WWE for rival company World Championship Wrestling in the mid-90s but would return in 2002 after WWE’s acquisition of the WCW, facing off against Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson at WrestleMania X8. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005, and again in 2020.
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Hogan retired from pro wrestling in 2012, by then already having parlayed his flare for the theatrics into the world of Hollywood. His first movie role was as a cameo as a wrestler in Rocky III opposite Sylvester Stallone, which led to other features such as No Holds Barred, Suburban Commando, Mr. Nanny, and Santa with Muscles.
He also appeared as himself on Baywatch and Spy Hard, among other titles, and has co-hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live alongside fellow former pro wrestler Mr. T. Hogan also appeared across episodes of The A-Team, Robot Chicken, and The Goldbergs, and notably headlined the 2000s family reality show Hogan Knows Best with first wife Linda Hogan and their children, Brooke and Nick.
Hogan’s career was also marked by several controversies, including admission of steroid use, a sex tape leak, and claims of infidelity. He also spoke at the 2024 Republican National Convention in support of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, and, in a nod to a signature move while in the ring, ripped off his shirt to reveal a Trump/Vance tank top underneath.
He is survived by his widow and third wife, Sky Daily, and his two children, Nick and Brooke.
