Professional wrestling legend Hulk Hogan has passed away at the age of 71 following a cardiac arrest at his Clearwater, Florida residence.
Emergency services were dispatched to Hogan’s home early Thursday morning after a distress call reported a cardiac incident. Witnesses confirmed a strong emergency response presence, including multiple police and EMT vehicles. Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, was seen being taken from his home on a stretcher and placed into an ambulance.
The tragic news comes just weeks after Hogan’s wife, Sky, had publicly addressed rumors about the wrestling icon’s health, insisting he was not in a coma and was recovering well from recent surgeries, stating his heart was “strong.”
Hogan was a towering figure in professional wrestling, credited with catapulting the sport into mainstream popularity during the 1980s. With his unmistakable charisma, bandana-clad image, and signature catchphrases, Hogan became the face of WWE and a household name across the globe.
His career took a dramatic turn in 1996 when he adopted a villainous persona as “Hollywood Hogan” and formed the infamous New World Order (NWO) faction, a move that helped rejuvenate his career and boost wrestling’s popularity during the Monday Night Wars era.
Hogan was first inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005. However, he was temporarily removed in 2015 after a leaked tape revealed him making racist comments. Following a successful lawsuit against media outlet Gawker and a public apology, WWE reinstated him in 2020, inducting him again — this time as a member of the NWO.
Outside the wrestling ring, Hogan also built a career in Hollywood, beginning with his role as Thunderlips in Rocky III (1982). He starred in a series of family-friendly films, including No Holds Barred, Suburban Commando, and Mr. Nanny, and gained reality TV fame in the 2000s with Hogan Knows Best, a VH1 series chronicling his family life.
Hulk Hogan’s impact on sports entertainment and pop culture remains immense. As a wrestler, actor, and television personality, he leaves behind a legacy that spans generations of fans.
Further details on funeral arrangements are yet to be announced.
