Hulk Hogan, the iconic wrestler and entertainer, died Thursday, July 24, at age 71 from cardiac arrest, the Clearwater Police Department in Florida confirmed. Emergency responders treated Hogan, whose real name was Terry Gene Bollea, before he was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
A native of Florida, Hogan is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in professional wrestling. He is credited with transforming the industry in the 1980s through his “Hulkamania” persona, which popularized wrestling on a global scale.
Known for his patriotic image, Hogan’s entrance music, “Real American,” remains a lasting symbol among WWE fans. He was also famous for ending many of his sentences with the word “brother.”
Hogan’s Rise to Wrestling Stardom
Nicknamed “The Hulkster” by fans, Hogan first gained widespread fame in the 1980s after defeating The Iron Sheik. He eventually became the World Wrestling Federation’s (now WWE) heavyweight champion, dominating the era.
The 1980s were Hogan’s heyday. Beyond wrestling, he crossed into mainstream entertainment, appearing in films such as Rocky III and participating in historic matches against Andre the Giant at WrestleMania.
The legendary Hulk Hogan ❤️💛 pic.twitter.com/3daG7IDznf
— WWE (@WWE) July 24, 2025
The 1990s proved more tumultuous. Although Hogan appeared in movies like Gremlins 2 (1990), his career was overshadowed by a steroid scandal. In 1994, he left WWF for its rival, World Championship Wrestling (WCW). There, he adopted the “Hollywood Hulk Hogan” persona in 1996 and joined the New World Order faction. Hogan returned to WWE in the early 2000s.
Wrestling historians credit this shift to Hogan’s evolving character as a key factor in wrestling’s transformation. His “Hollywood” gimmick helped the sport appeal to more mature audiences through darker, more complex storytelling — a sharp departure from the colorful, family-friendly style of the 1980s.
Controversies and Legal Battles
Hogan’s career was marked by several high-profile controversies. In 2012, the online publication Gawker released a sex tape featuring Hogan and Heather Clem, the wife of his friend Bubba the Love Sponge. Hogan sued Gawker for $140 million, a lawsuit that ultimately led to the publication’s shutdown.
Although inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005, Hogan was later removed following a scandal involving the use of a racial slur in another recorded conversation. He was reinstated in 2018.
Hogan was also a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump, delivering a speech in his favor at the 2024 Republican National Convention.
Wrestling fans and the wider sports world will remember Hulk Hogan as a pioneering figure whose larger-than-life persona helped shape the industry and inspired generations of athletes and fans alike.
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