Terry Gene “Hulk” Bollea (1953–2025)
Early Life & Education
- Born: August 11, 1953, in Augusta, Georgia; raised in Tampa, Florida. His father’s passion for performance and Hogan’s love for music (he played bass in the rock band Ruckus) shaped his early ambitions
- A high school pitcher until an injury ended his baseball path at 16. Later discovered by wrestling legends the Brisco Brothers and trained by Hiro Matsuda, launching his pro wrestling career
Wrestling Career & Legacy
- Debut: 1977, wrestling under alias names like “The Super Destroyer” and “Sterling Golden” before adopting “Hulk Hogan” in WWF by late 1979
- Iconic Rise: Became WWF World Heavyweight Champion in January 1984 by defeating Iron Sheik—a defining moment that sparked “Hulkamania” and transformed WWF into a mainstream entertainment behemoth
- Mainstage Impact: Headlined eight of the first nine WrestleManias (1985–1992), including the legendary showdown with André the Giant at WrestleMania III
- WCW Era & nWo: Joined WCW in 1994 and shocked fans by turning heel as “Hollywood Hogan” in 1996, co-founding the New World Order (nWo) faction
Film, TV & Beyond
- Film Debut: Played Thunderlips in Rocky III (1982) and starred in several 1990s action-comedies including No Holds Barred (1989), Suburban Commando (1991), Mr. Nanny (1993), and more
- Reality TV Star: Fronted Hogan Knows Best (2005–2007) with then-wife Linda and their kids Brooke and Nick, providing a personal glimpse into his family life
Controversies & Comeback
- Steroid Scandal: Named in early 1990s steroid probes; testified in Vince McMahon’s trial and later temporarily left WWF in 1993
- Sex Tape & Gawker Lawsuit: Sued Gawker in 2012 over a leaked sex tape; jury ruled in his favor, awarding over $140 million, later settled for $31 million
- Racism Controversy: In 2015 leaked comments led to WWE removing him from programming; he was reinstated into the Hall of Fame in 2018 amid a gradual comeback
Later Life & Enterprises
- Health: Underwent more than two dozen surgeries—spinal, hip, knee, neck—retiring from full-time wrestling by 2012; physical appearances continued through legend bookings and cameo segments
- New Ventures: Co-founded Real American Freestyle Wrestling in early 2025 to elevate amateur wrestling; also launched Real American Beer and various business partnerships
Death & Legacy
- Died: July 24, 2025 in Clearwater, Florida at age 71 from a cardiac arrest. WWE and fans worldwide mourned the loss of one of wrestling’s biggest icons
- Tributes: Ric Flair called Hogan a steadfast friend and key figure in wrestling history; Vince McMahon hailed him as the greatest WWE superstar of all time; former President Donald Trump and others honored his cultural and personal impact
Quick Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Terry Gene Bollea |
| Born / Died | Aug 11, 1953 – Jul 24, 2025 |
| Height / Weight | Approx. 6′7″, 302 lb |
| Championships | 12-time world champion (WWF/WCW) |
| Hall of Fame | 2005, 2020 (WWE) |
| Children | Brooke, Nick |
| Major Media | Films: Rocky III, No Holds Barred |
| Reality TV | Hogan Knows Best ( VH1 ) |
Despite personal turbulence, Hulk Hogan’s role in transforming professional wrestling into a cultural sensation is widely acknowledged. He remains a symbol of larger-than-life charisma and mainstream entertainment impact, merging athleticism, showmanship,