© Jasper Colt / USA TODAY
(Clearwater, FL) – Wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, one of the industry’s absolute titans, has passed away. The man known as “Hollywood” or “the Hulkster” was 71 years old. Born Terry Gene Bollea in Augusta, Georgia, he rose to prominence in the 1980s as “Hulkamania” ran wild over the WWE — then known as the WWF.
He told kids that by doing their training, saying their prayers, and eating their vitamins — they too, could experience the strength of Hulkamania. Hogan was also an accomplished actor — starring in several action films during the height of his pro-wrestling career — and also appeared in Rocky III alongside Sylvester Stallone.
Hogan was praised for his physique and ability to “cut a promo” on the mic, although his in-ring work was never as celebrated. Essentially, as a wrestler, he was the ultimate “face” — bringing the crowd to its feet when he rallied during matches and overcame extreme odds.
His feuds in the 1980s and 1990s were legendary and helped drive the wrestling business to new heights. A 12-time world wrestling champion, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005. Hogan was involved in angles with Andre “The Giant”, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, “The Ultimate Warrior,” and later “The Rock” — after returning to the WWE where he became famous.
As the WCW grew in the ’90s, Hogan defected, leaving Vince McMahon’s dominant wrestling federation to join the upstart. There he turned “heel” and took on the “bad guy” persona of “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan — as part of the NWO.
Last summer Hogan gave a rousing speech in support of President Donald Trump, as the campaign was underway. He stood on stage at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee and suggested the energy in the building was akin to MSG ahead of a major wrestling match. Hogan described President Trump as a longtime friend, and said he felt motivated to speak out in support of the then-presidential candidate — after the assassination attempt in Butler, PA.
Trump then shared a message of tribute on social media, calling Hogan a “great friend.” The president noted Hogan was “MAGA all the way — strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart.”
TMZ reports that Hogan passed away after suffering cardiac arrest. His representatives said Hogan passed away while surrounded by family, at his home in Florida. He’d undergone a series of surgeries recently. The WWE released a statement calling Hogan one of the most recognizable figures in all of pop culture history.
