Hulk Hogan, icon in professional wrestling, dies at age 71

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Hulk Hogan, the mustachioed, headscarf-wearing icon in the world of professional wrestling, has died at the age of 71, Florida police and WWE said Thursday.

In Clearwater, Florida, authorities responded to a call Thursday morning about a cardiac arrest. Hogan was pronounced dead at a hospital, police said in a statement on Facebook.

Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, was perhaps the biggest star in WWE’s long history. He was the main draw for the first WrestleMania in 1985 and was a fixture for years, facing everyone from Andre The Giant and Randy Savage to The Rock and even company chairman Vince McMahon.

He won at least six WWE championships and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.

Hogan was also a celebrity outside the wrestling world, appearing in numerous movies and television shows, including a reality show about his life on VH1, “Hogan Knows Best.”

Hogan’s public persona has transcended the ring, making him a household name. He appeared in numerous movies -- including the third “Rocky” film, where he took on the title character, played by Sylvester Stallone. Hogan also had a reality show about his life on VH1, called “Hogan Knows Best” in the early 2000s.

The attention on the intimate details of Hogan’s personal life has not always been welcomed by the superstar. A Florida jury sided with Hogan in 2016, awarding him him $115 million in a lawsuit against Gawker Media for posting a video of him having sex with his former best friend’s wife. Hogan contended the 2012 post violated his privacy. The lawsuit forced Gawker to shutter and was closely watched by First Amendment experts and media lawyers alike

WWE posted a note on X saying it was saddened to learn the WWE Hall of Famer had passed away.

“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," it said.