Hulk Hogan's most memorable movie roles, from ‘Rocky III' to ‘Gremlins 2'
In his later years, Hogan was better known as a reality TV star, headlining the two-season VH1 series Hogan Knows Best and appearing on its one-and-done follow-up, Brooke Knows Best. He also had cameos on comedy series ranging from The Inbetweeners to The Goldbergs.
More from Gold Derby
2025 Emmys: These are the episodes every Best Drama Actor nominee submitted
2025 Emmys: These are the episodes every Best Comedy Actor nominee submitted
But Hogan's movie roles remain the best examples of his outsized persona. Here's a recap of his most memorable film appearances.
Rocky III (1982)
Hogan first climbed into the movie ring with the third — and best — Rocky movie to knock Sylvester Stallone's southpaw boxer around in a boxer vs. wrestler match-up. While his superbly named alter ego is Thunderlips, he's basically playing Hulk Hogan. For moviegoers who weren't already following wrestling, it's a memorable introduction to his attitude... and size. Sadly, Hogan wasn't in supporting actor contention, but Rocky III's immortal title anthem "Eye of the Tiger" was up for Best Original Song.
No Holds Barred (1989)
Seven years after Rocky III, Hogan officially graduated from supporting actor to leading man in this kooky WWE-supported 'rassling picture. A brilliant bizarre cross between Rocky and Bloodsport, No Holds Barred casts him as Rip Thomas — the reigning champion whose title is threatened by a super-sized contender named Zeus (Tiny Lister). But the real star of the movie is Kurt Fuller as one of the best corporate weasels of the '80s.
Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)
Did the Gremlins invent meta humor? The New Batch makes the case with Hogan's hilarious fourth wall-breaking cameo in which the wrestler single-handedly gets the movie back on track when those after midnight-feasting critters take over the projection booth. Fun fact: the VHS release of Gremlins 2 swapped out Hogan for a shootout with John Wayne. While it's a funny switch, we still prefer the Hulkster over the Duke in this particular case.
Suburban Commando (1991)
In the wake of Kindergarten Cop, other musclebound '80s action stars followed Arnold Schwarzenegger's lead and got into kiddie fare. Hogan made sure he was part of that trend as well, appearing in movies with titles like Mr. Nanny and Santa with Muscles. But Suburban Commando is the most successful of his PG-rated efforts, largely because he's surrounded by skilled comic actors like Christopher Lloyd, Shelley Duvall and Larry Miller who do a lot of the heavy lifting.
The Ultimate Weapon (1998)
Hogan's action movie swan song taps him as a Special Forces veteran dispatched on a high-stakes, high-body count mission involving rogue IRA operatives. In a sign of the late '90s times, the film skipped a theatrical run for a home video debut — a fate that befell other once-popular '80s stars like Jean-Claude Van Damme and Steven Seagal. The Ultimate Weapon is the last gasp of an entire era of action movies before The Matrix changed the genre's game.
Gnomeo & Juliet (2011)
Hogan's last credited movie role finds him providing the voice for an unseen television pitchman hawking a terrifying lawnmower that's guaranteed to strike fear into the plaster hearts of any gnome. It's one of the many retro jokes that's typical of this inoffensive animated babysitter, which received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Song — a duet between Elton John and Lady Gaga that doesn't feature Hogan's vocals.
Best of Gold Derby
Everything to know about 'The Batman 2': Returning cast, script finalized
Tom Cruise movies: 17 greatest films ranked worst to best
'It was wonderful to be on that ride': Christian Slater talks his beloved roles, from cult classics ('Heathers,' 'True Romance') to TV hits ('Mr. Robot,' 'Dexter: Original Sin')
Click here to read the full article.
Solve the daily Crossword
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Did Paul Heyman tease Brock Lesnar's WWE return?
The post Did Paul Heyman tease Brock Lesnar's WWE return? appeared first on ClutchPoints. Everyone has been wondering whether or not Brock Lesnar will return to WWE, and his former advocate, Paul Heyman, may have teased it. However, fans are speculating about the 'Beast Incarnate's' return once again due to Heyman's latest post. He wished Lesnar a happy birthday on Saturday, July 12, 2025, hours before Saturday Night's Main Event. 'It's the Birthday of the Beast!' Heyman wrote to go along with the picture of them together in 2022, while Lesnar was WWE Champion. Ultimately, Lesnar did not end up coming back to the squared circle at the event. Still, there are a few weeks to go before the first-ever SummerSlam takes place. Lesnar's return would grab attention given his controversial past. It is also possible Paul Heyman was just wishing his friend a happy birthday. They worked closely together for years, and Lesnar's rise was partially due to Heyman. Will Brock Lesnar ever return to WWE? As of now, there looks to be no definitive indication that Lesnar is coming back to WWE. He has been on an indefinite hiatus since SummerSlam in 2023 after he lost to Cody Rhodes. There were plans for him to come back at the Royal Rumble in January 2024. However, he was linked to the Janel Grant-Vince McMahon lawsuit, which scrapped any plans for him In the months since, WWE has occasionally referenced him on commentary and in promos. But he has not come back yet, and he may never. Throughout his career, Lesnar was a 10-time world champion. He had a record-setting 504-day run as Universal Champion, which would later be toppled by Roman Reigns. His return in 2021 saw Lesnar change up his character for the first time in years. He returned as a babyface as he pursued Reigns' Universal Championship. After that feud, Lesnar had a brief feud with Bobby Lashley. He then turned heel for a trilogy of matches against Rhodes. After losing to Rhodes, he raised his arm, seemingly passing the torch to the 'American Nightmare' and turning face again. However, he has not been seen since then, so it is unclear where his character stands. Related: 49ers' George Kittle gets into fight with WWE star Related: WWE star Seth Rollins' NSFW reaction to injury goes viral
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
The real reason for Brock Lesnar's WWE return revealed
The post The real reason for Brock Lesnar's WWE return revealed appeared first on ClutchPoints. At the end of the 2025 WWE SummerSlam PLE, the 'Beast Incarnate' Brock Lesnar made his return to the company after a two-year absence, during which he was named in Janel Grant's lawsuit against Vince McMahon. He confronted John Cena, who had just lost the WWE Championship to Cody Rhodes. Lesnar, who sported a new look with longer hair than the last time he was seen, confronted the 17-time world champion. He delivered an F5 to Cena before walking out of the ring. It appears they are now on a collision course, perhaps for a match at Clash in Paris or Crown Jewel. Cena and Lesnar have been intertwined for years. They came up in Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) at the same time. They both reached their peaks in their WWE careers in the early 2000s. Cena's farewell tour may be why Lesnar came back. During the 2025 SummerSlam post-show (around the one-hour mark), Paul 'Triple H' Levesque hinted that a match with Lesnar was Cena's request. 'This is John Cena's wishlist — it's him writing the last chapter of his book,' Triple H revealed. Triple H never name-dropped Lesnar, but he did say he asked Cena, 'Who do you want? And how?' Now, WWE and Cena are 'working through' that list. Fans who watched the 2025 SummerSlam PLE may have had déjà vu to the 2021 SummerSlam. At that event, Lesnar made his return to the company to confront Roman Reigns and attacked Cena once the show was off the air. Lesnar also came back to WWE in 2012 to feud with Cena. What does Brock Lesnar's WWE return mean? WWE fans will have to wait and see where things go with Lesnar. He rarely wrestles on free TV, so expect his next match to happen at a PLE. Fans have not seen Lesnar in WWE since the 2023 SummerSlam event. He faced Rhodes in the rubber match of their feud. Rhodes won, and Lesnar, who was a heel at the time, turned babyface afterward and raised the 'American Nightmare's' arm. He then went on a hiatus, as Lesnar does. However, plans for his return were scrapped when he was seemingly linked to the Janel Grant lawsuit. He was later named in the lawsuit, further muddying his future as a professional wrestler. But now, he is back. We will see if they explain his return in the near future. It also remains unclear if his return is for a one-off feud with Cena or if he has other feuds planned. Related: Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton jabs Knicks after welcoming SummerSlam boos Related: When Brock Lesnar was legally cleared to make WWE return amid Janel Grant lawsuit
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Dozens gather at Florida church for Hulk Hogan's funeral service
LARGO, Fla. (AP) — Dozens of people gathered Tuesday evening at a funeral service for famed wrestler Hulk Hogan, who died last month at 71. The private service was held at the same church where Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, was baptized in 2023. He died after suffering a heart attack July 24 at his home in Clearwater, according to the Pinellas County medical examiner. Hogan previously had leukemia and atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm, the examiner's report said. His death was declared to be natural. The service was heavily patrolled by church security and Largo police officers, including K-9 dogs. Anyone not on the guest list was turned away near signs that read, 'Private Event.' President Donald Trump posted a photo on his Truth Social platform showing him arm wrestling Hogan, saying, 'They are having the 'Hulkster's' funeral today, and I thought everybody would enjoy seeing this picture.' Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered flags flown at half-staff at all official buildings last Friday, which he declared 'Hulk Hogan Day in Florida.' Hogan was perhaps the biggest star in WWE's long history, known for both his larger-than-life personality and his in-ring exploits. He was the main draw for the first WrestleMania in 1985 and was a fixture for years, facing everyone from Andre The Giant and Randy Savage to The Rock and even WWE co-founder Vince McMahon. Hogan was also a celebrity outside the wrestling world, appearing in numerous movies and television shows, including 'Hogan Knows Best,' a reality show about his life on VH1. Hogan's body will be cremated. His daughter Brooke Bollea Oleksy, better known by her stage name Brooke Hogan, memorialized her father in a recent social media post. 'I am so grateful I knew the real version of him. Not just the one the world viewed through a carefully curated lens,' she wrote on Instagram.
