Professional wrestling legend Hulk Hogan has died at the age of 71, TMZ Sports has confirmed. Emergency crews responded to his Clearwater, Florida home early Thursday following reports of cardiac arrest.
Authorities received the emergency call at 9:51 a.m., and Clearwater Fire & Rescue quickly arrived on scene. Multiple ambulances and police vehicles were spotted outside his residence. Hogan was reportedly taken from his home on a stretcher and rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Police officials announced they will share more information during a press conference later Thursday.
This tragic news comes just weeks after Hogan’s wife, Sky, dismissed rumors about his health, stating that he was recovering well from recent surgeries and that his heart was strong. In May, Hogan had undergone a neck operation. While some reports speculated he was in critical condition, close sources insisted he was simply dealing with post-surgery recovery.
A Wrestling Icon’s Legacy
Born Terry Bollea, Hogan transcended wrestling to become a global pop culture icon. His rise began in 1984 when he defeated the Iron Sheik to become World Heavyweight Champion, sparking the “Hulkamania” era. Known for his larger-than-life persona, signature moustache, and charisma, Hogan became one of wrestling’s most beloved figures.
In 1996, he reinvented himself as a villain, “Hollywood Hogan,” joining the NWO—a move that redefined the wrestling landscape.
Throughout his decades-spanning career, Hogan headlined legendary matches, including WrestleMania III against Andre the Giant and WrestleMania X8 against The Rock. He also had famous rivalries with The Ultimate Warrior and Randy Savage.
He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005, removed in 2015 following a scandal involving racist comments, and later reinstated in 2020 as part of the NWO group.
Beyond Wrestling
Hogan also had a successful acting career, making his film debut in Rocky III as Thunderlips, followed by roles in No Holds Barred, Suburban Commando, and Mr. Nanny. He starred in the VH1 reality show Hogan Knows Best with his family.
Despite numerous surgeries from years in the ring—once joking that he had “no original body parts left”—Hogan remained active. He recently announced the launch of Real American Freestyle, a new amateur wrestling league, set to debut on August 30 via Fox Nation.
Earlier in 2024, he made a high-profile appearance at the Republican National Convention, capturing public attention once again
