Former wrestling champion and actor Hulk Hogan passed away on Thursday at the age of 71, according to multiple American media outlets, including news site TMZ.
According to TMZ, Hogan died in his Florida home, where emergency services arrived on Thursday. The news site reports that he died of cardiac arrest.
Last month, Hogan was hospitalized with persistent neck and back complaints. There was much speculation on social media about the American former wrestler’s situation. His spokesman then denied reports that he was in very poor condition and on his deathbed.
The flamboyant Terry Gene Bollea, as he was really called, was a well-known figure even outside the United States with his bandana and large mustache. In recent years, he loudly campaigned for American President Donald Trump.
Hogan was active as a wrestler between 1977 and 2015 and became world champion twelve times during that period. He is seen as a pioneer in the wrestling world and the person who turned professional wrestling into an entertainment sport. He stood out because of his theatrical way of moving in the wrestling ring. This ensured that the sport became extremely popular to watch.
As an actor, Hogan is best known for his role as Thunderlips in the film Rocky III from 1982. In addition, he starred in a handful of other films in the eighties and nineties.