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Daily Mail
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Sylvester Stallone leads Hollywood tributes to Hulk Hogan after WWE icon's death at 71
Hollywood is remembering the late WWE icon Hulk Hogan following his death at age 71. Sylvester Stallone was among the big names paying tribute to Hogan, who appeared in his 1982 film Rocky III. The star made an appearance in the boxing film as Thunderlips, a wrestler who faces off against Stallone's Rocky Balboa in a charity fight. A heartbroken Sylvester, 79, shared a black-and-white photo of Hogan towering over him in the ring as he recalled working with him on the hit film. 'I had the pleasure of meeting this brilliant personality and showman when he was 26 years old. He was absolutely wonderful and his amazing skill made Rocky three incredibly special. My heart breaks. I think that he's gone…' Sylvester captioned the post. Brooke Shields, 60, also sent her condolences to Hulk's loved ones as she remembered Hogan, who guest starred on her show Suddenly Susan. 'Rest easy, Hulk. This moment and his entire guest episode on 'Suddenly Susan' was a true highlight. Sending love to all of his loved ones today,' she wrote on Instagram. She shared a photo of her arm wrestling with Hogan beside her Suddenly Susan co-star, Kathy Griffin. Hogan's Thunder In Paradise star Carol Alt also paid tribute, sharing a photo of them on the show. 'I cannot I believe my costar and friend Hulk Hogan, a.k.a. Terry Bollea passed away… I heard the news and spontaneously burst into tears. 'I know we all think that we are immortal. He was so big and so strong that he felt immortal to me. I send my love to his family: his wife, Linda, his children. He was always kind and sweet with me… Rest in peace.' But it wasn't only the acting world remembering Hogan, with fellow wrestlers and athletes paying tribute. Retired wrestler Ric Flair, 75, paid tribute to Hogan, calling him an 'incredible athlete, talent, friend, and father'. Posting on Instagram, Ric wrote: 'I am absolutely shocked to hear about the passing of my close friend @hulkhogan! Hulk has been by my side since we started in the wrestling business. An incredible athlete, talent, friend, and father! Our friendship has meant the world to me. 'He was one of the first to visit me when I was in the hospital with a 2 percent chance of living, and he prayed by my bedside. Hulk also lent me money when Reid was sick. 'Hulkster, no one will ever compare to you! Rest in peace my friend!' Ric's daughter, former WWE women's world champion Charlotte Flair also posted a tribute: 'When I nearly lost my dad 8 years ago, one of the few people who was there for all of it was Hulk Hogan. My heart breaks for Nick and Brooke. Rest in peace, brother.' Wrestlers Kane, Undertaker, an Kurt Angle also paid tribute. The official X account from the WWE said, 'WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away. One of pop culture's most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan's family, friends, and fans.' Former MLB pitcher John Rocker posted, 'A patriot, and a true American. RIP Hulk Hogan.' 'Prayers up for the family, friends and loved ones of Hulk Hogan who has passed away at 71 years old,' wrote former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III. The news reached the world of politics, with President Donald Trump reacting to the news. He wrote on Truth Social: 'We lost a great friend today, the 'Hulkster'. Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way — Strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart.' 'He entertained fans from all over the World, and the cultural impact he had was massive,' Trump wrote, praising his 'absolutely electric speech' from the Republican 2024 National Convention. 'To his wife, Sky, and family, we give our warmest best wishes and love. Hulk Hogan will be greatly missed!' he concluded. His son, Donald Trump Jr., also paid tribute to Hogan with a photo of the duo at the 2024 Republican National Convention. Vice President JD Vance also remembered the 'great American icon.' Hogan, real name Terry Gene Bollea, passed away early Thursday morning after medics were dispatched to his Clearwater, Florida home, can confirm. Vice President JD Vance hailed Hogan as a 'great American icon' 911 operators noted the matter pertained to a cardiac arrest in the disturbing audio of the call. A Clearwater Police Department spokesman said in a statement: 'Clearwater Fire Department and Clearwater Police Department personnel responded to a medical call at 9:51 a.m. today in the 1000 block of Eldorado Avenue on Clearwater Beach. 'The nature of the call was for a cardiac arrest. A 71-year-old resident, Terry Bollea, also known as Hulk Hogan, was treated by Clearwater Fire & Rescue crews before being taken by Sunstar to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.' The shock death comes just weeks after his wife Sky Daily denied rumors he was on his deathbed in a coma - and claimed his heart was 'strong' after he underwent a routine neck surgery. Hogan is survived by his third wife Daily, who he wed in 2023, children Brooke, 37, and Nick, 34, who he shared with first wife Linda Claridge, and two grandchildren. Hulk Hogan's representative, Linda Bose, confirmed his death to CBS NEWS, saying: 'Unfortunately we must confirm that Terry Bollea, aka Hulk Hogan passed away this morning. 'We are heartbroken. He was such a great human being and friend.' A statement on Hogan's official Instagram account read: 'It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness that we confirm we have lost a legend. 'Our beloved Terry Bollea, known worldwide as Hulk Hogan, passed away today surrounded by his loved ones. 'At this time of grief, we ask that everyone please respect the privacy of his family and friends. 'May we all take solace in the wonderful memories he left behind for the millions of fans worldwide whose lives he touched for more than four decades.
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hulk Hogan, WWE Hall of Famer and legendary champion, dies at 71
Two-time WWE Hall of Famer and former world champion Hulk Hogan, whose real name was Terry Gene Bollea, died Thursday at the age of 71, according to Clearwater, Florida, police and World Wrestling Entertainment. "WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away," the company said. "One of pop culture's most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan's family, friends, and fans." The Clearwater Police Department and Fire Department responded to a call for cardiac arrest just before 10 a.m. and took Hogan to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said. Hogan began his professional wrestling career in 1977 and featured prominently in World Wrestling Federation (now known as WWE), World Championship Wrestling and Impact Wrestling but it his was run with the WWE in the 1980s that propelled him and the company to the cultural zeitgeist. Hogan is widely credited for helping to turn professional wrestling from a regional attraction to a mainstream phenomenon in the 1980s. In the squared circle, he was the larger-than-life Hulk Hogan, the classic good guy, known as a face in wrestling terminology, who encouraged children to eat their vegetables and say their prayers as he grappled the villains known as heels. He became champion on six different occasions with the WWE. "Whatcha Gonna Do When Hulkamania Runs Wild On You!" was one of his more popular catchphrases and he, as "The Hulkster" would put a hand behind his ear to hear the roar of the crowds. Hogan, including his signature leg drop and 24-inch pythons, were synonymous with WrestleMania, the annual extravaganza put on by WWE. "The Immortal One" as the character of Hogan was known as, headlined the first on March 31, 1985, alongside his tag team partner Mr. T and defeated "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. MORE: In Memoriam: Notable people who died in 2025 The first WrestleMania led to an infamous confrontation in March 1985 between Bollea and actor Richard Belzer who was hosting "Hot Properties." Bollea and Mr. T were promoting their upcoming bout and Bollea placed Belzer in a headlock to prove that wrestling wasn't fake. Belzer momentarily passed out and was injured. Belzer sued Hogan for injuries over the incident. The suit was settled in 1990. Hogan would appear in 10 WrestleMania matches and featured in the main event eight times. MORE: WWE wrestler Bray Wyatt dies at 36 Hogan parlayed his wrestling appeal by becoming a cultural icon himself, appearing on TV shows such as "Saturday Night Live," "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson," and the short-lived series "Thunder In Paradise," which co-starred his longtime friend and manager "Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart. He also starred in movies like "Rocky III" and "Mr. Nanny." Hogan left the WWE in the mid-90s and joined rival promotion WCW. However, the once adoring fans dubbed Hulkamaniacs began to boo his heroic persona. Hogan changed the industry once again with his transformation to the evil "Hollywood Hogan" character. In 1996, for the first time in his illustrious career, the character of Hogan was now a villain, the leader of the faction New World Order in WCW. Hogan returned to WWE in 2002 and faced off against Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson at WrestleMania X8, with the fans cheering him on once again. Hogan's dip in popularity was not just limited to the arenas. His image took a battering in 1994 when the federal government accused WWE Executive Chairman Vince McMahon of illegally giving performers anabolic steroids. Hogan testified that he took steroids but denied doing so at McMahon's direction. McMahon was ultimately acquitted. Hogan was once again in the news in 2012 when Gawker published a sex tape involving Hogan and a friend's then-wife. Hogan sued for invasion of privacy and won a $140 million judgment by a jury in June 2016. He settled with the company for $31 million. MORE: AEW fosters conversations about masculinity and mental health in wrestling Hogan was previously embroiled in another scandal when a 2007 recording of him making racist remarks and saying the N-word were made public in 2015. Bollea was fired from the WWE and temporarily removed from the WWE Hall of Fame. Hogan apologized for his use of the slur, telling "Good Morning America" in 2015 that he wanted his fans' forgiveness. "I'm not a racist but I never should have said what I said. It was wrong. I'm embarrassed by it," he said, but added: "People need to realize that you inherit things from your environment. And where I grew up was south Tampa, Port Tampa, and it was a really rough neighborhood, very low income. And all my friends, we greeted each other saying that word." He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 for the first time as an individual performer and again in 2020 as a member of the NWO. Despite his retirement, he continued his connection to the sport that made him famous. He was reinstated by the WWE in 2018 and hosted WrestleMania 37 alongside WWE Superstar Titus O'Neil in 2021. Hogan announced his engagement to yoga instructor Sky Daily in July 2023 and the two married in September 2023. He took the stage at the Republican National Convention in July 2024 to endorse President Donald Trump, a longtime friend. He ripped his shirt off in famous fashion and revealed a Trump-Vance 2024 T-shirt below. "I've known that man for over 35 years, and he's always been the biggest patriot, and he still is," Hogan said. "He's always told you exactly what he thought, and he still does, brother. No matter the odds, he always finds a way to win." Hogan was married three times, first to Linda Bollea from 1993 to 2009. The former couple had two children, Brooke and Nick. Hogan married Jennifer McDaniel in 2010 but they filed for divorce in October 2021 after 11 years of marriage. Hogan is survived by his two children and wife Sky Daily. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
