Hulk Hogan, the mustachioed, headscarf-wearing superstar who helped transform professional wrestling into a global entertainment phenomenon, passed away Thursday at the age of 71. Police in Clearwater, Florida, reported that officers responded to a morning call regarding a cardiac arrest. Hogan was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Born Terry Bollea, Hogan rose to fame as arguably the most iconic figure in the history of WWE. He was the main attraction at the first WrestleMania in 1985 and went on to battle a who’s-who of wrestling legends, including Andre the Giant, Randy Savage, The Rock, and even WWE chairman Vince McMahon himself. Over his career, Hogan captured at least six WWE championship titles and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.
“WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans,” the organization said, noting his impact in elevating WWE’s status worldwide during the 1980s. His over-the-top charisma, patriotic persona, and signature look — red and yellow gear, horseshoe mustache, and bulging biceps he dubbed “24-inch pythons” — became symbols of “Hulkamania,” a pop culture movement that brought wrestling into the mainstream.
In later years, Hogan stepped into the political spotlight. At the 2024 Republican National Convention, he combined wrestling theatrics with campaign support for Donald Trump, passionately shouting, “Let Trumpamania run wild! Let Trumpamania rule again! Let Trumpamania make America Great Again!” Before a cheering crowd, Hogan tore off a shirt featuring his own image to reveal a bright red Trump-Vance campaign shirt underneath, prompting applause from the former president.
Hogan was also at the center of a major legal battle when he sued Gawker Media for releasing a sex tape involving him and the wife of his former best friend. A Florida jury awarded him $115 million in damages in 2016, with an additional $25 million in punitive damages. Throughout the high-profile trial, Hogan remained composed and dressed in black, later saying fans still treated him “like I’m still the champ.”
Hogan’s wrestling journey began in earnest in 1984 when he first won the WWF championship, sparking a boom in the sport’s popularity. He famously teamed with Mr. T to headline the inaugural WrestleMania, defeating “Rowdy” Roddy Piper and “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff. One of his most memorable moments came at WrestleMania III in 1987, when he bodyslammed Andre the Giant, helping WWF explode in popularity.
His rivalry with “Macho Man” Randy Savage became one of the sport’s defining storylines. In the late 1990s, Hogan reinvented himself during the so-called “Monday Night Wars” between WWE and WCW. As “Hollywood Hogan,” he helped form the villainous New World Order faction, pushing WCW ahead in ratings.
Returning to WWE in 2002, he captured gold once more and faced off against The Rock in a historic WrestleMania X8 showdown, a symbolic moment viewed as the passing of the torch.
Known as much for his booming voice and charisma as for his in-ring prowess, Hogan captivated audiences with his electrifying “promos,” often beginning with the catchphrase, “Well, lemme tell ya something, Mean Gene!” in exchanges with announcer Gene Okerlund.
Hogan also made a mark beyond the ring, appearing as Thunderlips in Rocky III in 1982 and becoming a household name in movies and television.
His presence and persona left a lasting legacy in both sports entertainment and American pop culture.
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