The world is mourning the loss of a true legend—Terry Gene Bollea, better known by his larger-than-life ring name, Hulk Hogan. A name synonymous with professional wrestling, Hogan was more than just a sports entertainer—he was a cultural force whose impact stretched far beyond the ring.
At 16, he was just a fan in the stands of the Tampa Sportatorium, idolizing stars like Dusty Rhodes and “Superstar” Billy Graham. Inspired by Graham’s muscular, almost “inhuman” physique, young Terry Bollea set out to create a wrestling persona as electrifying as those he admired.
He stepped into the ring professionally in 1977, debuting under various personas—including a masked wrestler called “The Super Destroyer” and a tag team member of the “Boulder Brothers.” But his transformation into “Hulk Hogan” came after an appearance on a local talk show beside The Incredible Hulk actor Lou Ferrigno. At 6’7” and nearly 300 pounds, Hogan towered over Ferrigno, prompting the host to remark that Hogan looked like the real Hulk. Soon after, Vince McMahon, Sr. gave him the now-iconic last name “Hogan” to complete the brand.
Hogan’s rise to fame exploded in December 1983, when he joined the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE). His all-American, larger-than-life persona helped ignite the professional wrestling boom of the 1980s. With unmatched charisma and a bodybuilder’s frame, he captivated audiences and brought professional wrestling into the mainstream.
He headlined eight of the first nine WrestleManias, held the WWF Championship for a record-setting 1,474 days, and was the first wrestler to win consecutive Royal Rumble matches in 1990 and 1991. His legendary clash with André the Giant on The Main Event in 1988 pulled in an astonishing 33 million viewers—still the most-watched wrestling match in American television history.
In 1985, he became the first (and still only) wrestler to land the cover of Sports Illustrated solely for his achievements in pro wrestling. He played Thunderlips in Rocky III, starred in films and TV shows, and even had his own reality series, Hogan Knows Best, on VH1 in the mid-2000s.
Even long after his prime in the ring, Hulk Hogan remained the face of professional wrestling. A 2022 survey showed that Hogan was the most recognized professional wrestler among the general public—proof that his legacy endures across generations.