Hulk Hogan dies at 71: 10 lesser-known facts about the wrestling icon who defined a generation

Wrestling has lost one of its most legendary figures. Hulk Hogan, born Terry Gene Bollea, died on July 24, 2025, at the age of 71, of cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida. From WrestleMania headliner to reality TV star, Hogan's influence extended far beyond the ring. To honor his memory, here are ten truly surprising facts about the man who created Hulkamania.

Hulk Hogan is best known for revolutionizing wrestling, but he also made an impact in music, film, and television. Beyond his iconic persona, these lesser-known facts reveal more about the man who rose to prominence in pop culture.

A lot of people only know Hogan for his famous bandana and 24-inch pythons, or for slamming André the Giant. But there is a lot more to him than that. Here are 10 surprising and little-known facts about the man who helped make WWE's golden age what it was, as per a report by That Eric Alper.

1. Before he became a wrestler, he played bass in a rock band. Wrestlers Jack and Gerald Brisco found him because of his band, Ruckus, which was popular in the Tampa Bay area.
2. He once said no to dying his hair red. Vince McMahon Sr. wanted him to change his hair color, but Hogan kept his famous blond look. This was one of many times he went against the grain.
3. He left the University of South Florida to focus on music full-time, but then wrestling became his calling.
4. He had Italian, Panamanian, Scottish, and French roots, which is something that people often forget about when they think of him as "All-American."
5. He was baptized at Indian Rocks Baptist Church in December 2023, which was a spiritual change for him just two years before he died.
6. In 1977, he had his first wrestling match against Brian Blair. At first, he even wrestled under a mask as "The Super Destroyer."
7. He played Thunderlips in Rocky III (1982), which was a big break for him in Hollywood and made him more than just a wrestler.
8. In 1985, he co-hosted Saturday Night Live with Mr. T. This made him even more popular with the general public.
9. He once sued Gawker Media and won an unbelievable $115 million over a leaked private video. This case set a new standard in media privacy law.
10. He started his own beer brand, Real American Beer, in 2024. This was a nod to his patriotic wrestling persona and his desire to be an entrepreneur.

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Hulk Hogan's last WWE appearance was in 2025, when Raw debuted on Netflix, but his impact will never go away. WWE honored the man who led the company through the boom years of the 1980s with a heartfelt statement.

"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," they posted.

Hulk Hogan was more than just a wrestler; he was a phenomenon. He made a lasting mark on pop culture by body-slamming giants and starring in cult classics.

FAQs

What was Hulk Hogan’s real name?
His real name was Terry Gene Bollea.

How did Hulk Hogan die?
He passed away from cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida.