Hogan \u2014 real name Terry Bollea \u2014 first competed in 1979 in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now known as WWE) but became a mainstay and fan favorite in the mid-1980s alongside others like Andre the Giant and \u201cRowdy\u201d Roddy Piper.<\/p>\n
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His brand of \u201cHulkamania\u201d transferred to the small and big screen, with roles in films such as \u201cRocky III,\u201d \u201cNo Holds Barred\u201d and TV\u2019s \u201cBaywatch.\u201d <\/p>\n
He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.<\/p>\n
Muhammad Ali, Liberace and Hulk Hogan at Madison Square Garden in 1985 for Wrestlemania 1. Ali was the referee, Liberace the timekeeper and Hogan the headliner.Source: APHulk Hogan fires up the crowd between matches with his iconic singlet rip at WrestleMania 21, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles during 2005.Source: AP<\/p>\n
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WWE legend Hogan\u2019s big return ruined as fans angrily lash out against controversial great<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018We\u2019ll call you Big Fred\u2019: Cricket great claims he snubbed \u2018obscene money\u2019 WWE career<\/a><\/p>\n Montreal Screwjob anniversary: What really happened in Bret Hart v Shawn Michaels<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away. One of pop culture\u2019s most recognisable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s,\u201d World Wrestling Entertainment said on social media.<\/p>\n \u201cWWE extends its condolences to Hogan\u2019s family, friends, and fans.\u201d<\/p>\n Hogan\u2019s death sparked an outpouring of tributes on social meda, with US Predisent Donald Trump and fellow wrestling legends among those paying their respects.<\/p>\n The wrestler was embroiled in controversy more than a decade ago after an intimate video of him leaked, resulting in a $US140 million lawsuit award that bankrupted Gawker Media, and then again a few years later for his use of racist language, including a slur referring to Black Americans. <\/p>\n The latter caused him to be fired from WWE in 2015. He later apologised for his actions and was reinstated to the WWE Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n Hulk Hogan, real name Terry Bollea, testifies in court during his civil trial against Gawker Media.Source: Getty ImagesHulk Hogan rips his shirt before Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden last year.Source: AP<\/p>\n In recent years, Hogan became an avid supporter of US President Donald Trump. He memorably appeared at the 2024 Republican National Convention that would seal Trump\u2019s nomination \u2014 tearing his shirt off to reveal a Trump-Vance tank top.<\/p>\n \u201cWith our leader up there, my hero, that gladiator, we\u2019re gonna bring America back together,\u201d Hogan said on stage in July 2024.<\/p>\n Paying tribute after Hogan\u2019s passing, Trump posted on social media of his \u201cgreat friend\u201d: \u201cHe gave an absolutely electric speech at the Republican National Convention, that was one of the highlights of the entire week. He entertained fans from all over the World, and the cultural impact he had was massive.\u201d<\/p>\n Hogan suffered numerous health problems in later years, stemming from the years of abuse his body took in the ring.<\/p>\n He was married three times, and had two children (Brooke, 37, and Nick, 34) with his first wife Linda.<\/p>\n Hollywood Hulk Hogan puts a choke hold on NBA legend Karl Malone in 1998.Source: AP<\/p>\n AN ICONIC CAREER IN THE RING AND OUT<\/p>\n Before Hulk Hogan<\/a> stepped into the arena, wrestling was a niche sport.<\/p>\n Clad in yellow tights and boots with red kneepads, long bleach-blonde hair and t-shirts he\u2019d regularly rip off, Hogan captivated audiences with his flamboyant promos in which he\u2019d brag about his \u201c24 inch python\u201d biceps, his constant use of \u201cbrother\u201d and his signature line \u201cWhat\u2019cha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?!\u201d<\/p>\n He became WWF\u2019s top attraction as Vince McMahon launched WrestleMania, which has became the biggest annual wrestling event in the world.<\/p>\n Hulk Hogan, the World Wrestling Federation heavyweight champion in 1986.Source: News Corp AustraliaHulk Hogan and Mr. T at Madison Square Garden in 1985.Source: AP<\/p>\n The first WrestleMania at Madison Square Garden became a pop-culture phenomenon, as Hogan teamed with Mr. T to defeat Paul Orndorff and Roddy Piper in the main event.<\/p>\n In 1984 he was crowned the World Heavyweight Championship, and went on to form his own league, the New World Order.<\/p>\n During WrestleMania III at the Pontiac Silverdome in front of approximately 78,000 fans, Hogan bodyslammed Andre the Giant in one of the signature moments in wrestling history.<\/p>\n In 1994, Hogan was a key witness in McMahon\u2019s steroid trial, in which he was accused of giving illegal steroids to pro wrestlers. While Hogan admitted to using steroids via a prescription, he said McMahon never asked him to take them and he never purchased them from McMahon.<\/p>\n By that point, Hogan had jumped to rival wrestling promotion WCW, where he later formed the New World Order (nWo) with fellow ex-WWE stars Scott Hall and Kevin Nash. His appearance at WCW\u2019s Bash at the Beach even in July 1996 was considered the biggest heel turn in history, as the all-American hero Hulkster became \u2018Hollywood\u2019 Hulk Hogan, a bad guy.<\/p>\n The group became one of the most popular in wrestling history, leading to WCW to beat WWF in television ratings for 83 weeks.<\/p>\n After WWE bought WCW, Hogan, Hall and Nash returned to WWE in 2002.<\/p>\n Hogan\u2019s fame helped him cross over into movies and television. His first major film role came in \u201cRocky III,\u201d where he portrayed the wrestler Thunderlips, who faced Rocky Balboa in an exhibition.<\/p>\n His other movie appearances include \u201cNo Holds Barred\u201d and \u201cMr. Nanny.\u201d<\/p>\n He was the centerpiece of the \u201cThunder in Paradise\u201d television show in 1994 and made appearances on \u201cThe A-Team\u201d and \u201cBaywatch.\u201d<\/p>\n Hogan and his family were also the subjects of a VH1 reality show, \u201cHogan Knows Best,\u201d in the mid-2000s.<\/p>\n Born in Augusta, Ga. in 1953, Hogan had two children, Brooke and Nick, with his first wife, Linda.<\/p>\n After Linda filed for divorce in 2007, Hogan married Jennifer McDaniel in 2010. They got divorced in 2022.<\/p>\n Hogan then got married to Sky Daily in 2023.<\/p>\n (Hulk Hogan rips his shirt off to reveal his Trump-Vance campaign support last year.Source: AFP<\/p>\n Hogan appeared at the Republican National Convention in July 2024 in support of Donald Trump\u2019s run for president.<\/p>\n After Hogan\u2019s passing, US Vice President JD Vance posted on X: \u201cHulk Hogan was a great American icon. One of the first people I ever truly admired as a kid. The last time I saw him we promised we\u2019d get beers together next time we saw each other.<\/p>\n \u201cThe next time will have to be on the other side, my friend! Rest in peace.\u201d <\/p>\n