Clearwater police and firefighters rushed to his home to answer a “cardiac arrest” call at 9:51 a.m., the city said in a statement.
Pro wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, whose charisma and shirt-ripping showmanship brought the theatrical sports genreto new heights of mainstream popularity, died Thursday in Florida, officials said.
He was 71.
Clearwater police and firefighters rushed to his home to answer a “cardiac arrest” call at 9:51 a.m., the city said in a statement.First responders took him to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:17 a.m., Police Maj. Nate Burnside told reporters.
While police will investigate, “there are no signs of foul play or suspicious activity related to this call for service,” Burnside said.
Hogan died surrounded by loved ones,manager Chris Volo told
“WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away,” World Wrestling Entertainment
“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.”
He’d become a fixture in Republican politics in recent years and appeared at last year’s GOP convention, ripping open his shirt to hype Donald Trump.
“We lost a great friend today, the ‘Hulkster.’ Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way — Strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart,” Trump said in a statement on Truth Social.
“He entertained fans from all over the World, and the cultural impact he had was massive.”
Vice President JD Vance said he vividly recalled how much fun he had watching Hogan perform in his childhood.
“Hulk Hogan was a great American icon. One of the first people I ever truly admired as a kid,”
“The last time I saw him we promised we’d get beers together next time we saw each other. The next time will have to be on the other side, my friend! Rest in peace.”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Hogan’s passing will strike an emotional chord for an entire generation.
“I was sad to see the news that Hulk Hogan passed away today. He was a major icon for anybody in GenX,” DeSantis said.
“So I was really sad to see that and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and people throughout this region of Florida, because I know so many people cared about him.”
Hogan also played a huge role in the demise of the popular news and gossip website Gawker.com.
He won a $140 million invasion-of-privacy lawsuit in 2016 against the New York City site — a lawsuit funded by tech billionaire Peter Thiel — after it posted graphic video of him having sex with the wife of a friend, shock jock Bubba the Love Sponge Clem.
Gawker shut down months after the devastating verdict.
Hogan — whose real name was Terry Gene Bollea — earned fame for his theatrical wrestling performances.
His career began in 1977, and he spent his early years wrestling in regional promotions across the United States, including the World Wrestling Federation, and even competing in Japan.
Hogan’s over-the-top performances led to the “Hulkamania” craze of the 1980s, which reached its apex when he was pitted against fellow wrestling superstar André the Giant in a famously heated feud.
Hogan’s body slam of André at Wrestlemania III is one of the iconic moments in professional wrestling history.
In “The True Story of WrestleMania,” Hogan said he never dreamed he could have had the chance to wrestle in New York City’s Madison Square Garden.
“And then once I’d made that huge step into the big leagues, WrestleMania was something that I didn’t understand,” Hogan said.
Hogan made what was considered a controversial move by leaving the WWF in the 1990s and later joining the rival organization at the time, World Championship Wrestling.
The move gave his career new life as he led the New World Order, a faction of black-and-white-clad wrestlers who played the roles of supervillains in the league.
