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Time of India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
From Rocky III to Mr Nanny: Hulk Hogan's wild ride through pop culture
The great wrestler Hulk Hogan has passed away at 71 years; his reach was far beyond the ring. With his distinctive voice, signature moustache, and an eye-popping red-and-yellow outfit, he is a truly recognizable figure in the entertainment world. His on-screen characters contributed to some pop culture phenomenon called Hulkamania. Rocky III debut introduced Hulk Hogan to global audiences Hogan made his film debut in 'Rocky III' which was in 1982, playing flamboyant wrestler Thunderlips along with Sylvester Stallone. The role was brief but impactful. Stallone later revealed that Hogan's intensity during filming led to multiple stunt injuries. In 'No Holds Barred' of 1989, Hogan played Rip, a heroic wrestler battling the villainous Zeus. Though the film received poor reviews, it became a cult favourite and even influenced WWE storylines. Suburban Commando and Mr Nanny expanded Hogan's fan base Hogan transitioned to family-friendly comedies in the early '90s. In 'Suburban Commando,' he portrayed an alien warrior stranded in suburbia. In 'Mr Nanny,' he played a tough babysitter while dealing with rebellious children. These roles helped him connect with the younger audiences. Often labelled one of the worst holiday films ever made, 'Santa With Muscles' of the year 1996 featured Hogan as a millionaire who believes he is a Santa Claus. Its absurd premise eventually earned it cult status. Hogan starred in 'Thunder in Paradise' of the year 1994, a syndicated series about ex-Navy SEALs and a high-tech boat. The show blended tropical visuals with B-movie storytelling and was tailored to Hogan's persona. Cameos and voice roles cemented Hogan's pop culture appeal Hogan made self-aware appearances in 'Gremlins 2,' 'Spy Hard' and 'Muppets from Space.' He also voiced himself in animated shows like 'Robot Chicken' and 'American Dad!,' embracing his larger-than-life image. Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling and Hogan Knows Best expanded his reach In 1985, Hogan popularized the cartoon Hulk Hogan's 'Rock 'n' Wrestling,' introducing his character to the young viewers of the generation. Two decades later, he starred in the reality shows 'Hogan Knows Best,' offering fans a glimpse into his personal life. The same audacity and charisma that characterised Hogan's time in the ring were evident in his entertainment career, which included everything from cult movies to cartoons and reality TV. His legacy on screen made sure that Hulkamania was a cultural force as well as a wrestling phenomenon.
News18
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Hulk Hogan's Most Memorable Movies And TV Moments That Made Him A Pop Culture Icon
Last Updated: From Rocky III to Mr. Nanny and Thunder in Paradise, Hulk Hogan brought Hulkamania to Hollywood with his loud, larger-than-life roles. Hulk Hogan, the larger-than-life wrestling legend who ruled the ring in the 1980s and brought WWE to the mainstream, has passed away. He was 71. Apart from wrestling, Hogan carved out a memorable path in movies and television. While fans will forever remember his iconic bout with Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III, Hogan's legacy extends well beyond body slams and leg drops. With his unmistakable moustache, booming voice and red-and-yellow persona, he became one of the most recognisable celebrities of his generation on screen as much as in the ring. Hogan made his film debut with a bang in Rocky III, playing the flamboyant wrestler Thunderlips opposite Sylvester Stallone's Rocky Balboa. The brief but memorable appearance introduced Hogan's larger-than-life charisma to global audiences. Stallone once recalled that Hogan was so intense during filming, he accidentally sent four stuntmen to the hospital while performing a crowd leap. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hulk Hogan (@hulkhogan) No Holds Barred (1989): Life Imitates the Ring Riding high on Hulkamania, Hogan starred in No Holds Barred, a fictional wrestling film produced by WWE. Hogan played Rip, a character not unlike himself — a heroic, unstoppable wrestler who must face a monstrous rival named Zeus. Though critically panned, the film became a cult favourite and even spilled into real-life WWE storylines. Mr. Nanny (1993) and Suburban Commando (1991): Hulk in Family Mode As Hollywood leaned into family-friendly action comedies in the early '90s, Hogan was cast in a series of slapstick, fish-out-of-water roles. In Suburban Commando, he played an intergalactic warrior stranded in suburbia. In Mr. Nanny, he portrayed a tough guy tasked with babysitting rebellious kids — cue hijinks and headbands. While these roles were mocked by critics, they earned Hogan a new generation of young fans. Santa With Muscles (1996): So Bad It's Good Often cited as one of the worst Christmas movies ever made, Santa With Muscles has become a beloved disasterpiece over time. Hogan plays a selfish millionaire who ends up believing he's Santa Claus. It's peak '90s absurdity and perfectly in line with Hogan's over-the-top appeal. Thunder in Paradise (1994): TV's Tropical Tough Guy Hogan found a new home on the small screen with Thunder in Paradise, a syndicated action-adventure series about ex-Navy SEALs and a high-tech boat. It combined beach vibes with B-movie storytelling and was unmistakably a Hogan vehicle from start to finish. Cameos and Voice Work: Hogan in Pop Culture Hogan leaned into his larger-than-life image with tongue-in-cheek cameos in Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990), Spy Hard (1996), and Muppets from Space (1999). He also voiced himself in animated hits like Robot Chicken and American Dad!, proving that he never took himself too seriously. Hogan Knows Best and Rock 'n' Wrestling In 1985, at the height of Hulkamania, he starred in the Saturday morning cartoon Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling, introducing young fans to his character in animated form. Two decades later, he allowed cameras into his personal life with the reality show Hogan Knows Best, featuring his then-wife Linda and their children. From cult films to cartoons, action series to talk show appearances, Hulk Hogan's entertainment career mirrored his wrestling persona which is loud, bold and always unforgettable. His presence on-screen ensured that Hulkamania wasn't just a wrestling phenomenon but a pop culture movement. First Published: July 24, 2025, 22:04 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
