Celebrities, wrestling stars and more react to Hulk Hogan’s death at 71
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Celebrities, wrestling stars and more react to Hulk Hogan’s death at 71
Hulk Hogan, a two-time WWE Hall of Famer and former world champion, died Thursday. WWE called Hogan “one of pop culture’s most recognizable figures” WWE Champ John Layfield: “Hulk was always so nice to me and was the one celebrity that wanted to see all the kids I brought over from Bermuda” House Speaker Mike Johnson: “From my childhood in the ’80s, to campaigning with him last year, I always saw him as a giant in stature and in life” Mario Lopez: Hogan “grew up like a true Hulkamaniac” and was “truly starstruck” when he finally got to meet the wrestler. “Rest easy, Hulk,” Brooke Shields wrote in a post about the wrestler’s death on Instagram. “I had the pleasure of meeting this brilliant personality and showman when he was 26 years old,” Sylvester Stallone wrote. “He was absolutely wonderful and made his three kids incredibly special,” former “Saved by the Bell” host Mario Lopez said.
Stars across the wrestling world are remembering Hulk Hogan following his death at the age of 71.
The two-time WWE Hall of Famer and former world champion, whose real name was Terry Gene Bollea, died Thursday, according to Clearwater, Florida, police and WWE.
Following Hogan’s death, celebrities and wrestling world figures began sharing tributes to him on social media.
In a statement, WWE called Hogan “one of pop culture’s most recognizable figures” and said he “helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s.”
The company also extended its condolences to Hogan’s “family, friends, and fans.”
Retired professional wrestler Ric Flair took to social media Thursday, writing, “I Am Absolutely Shocked To Hear About The Passing Of My Close Friend @HulkHogan! Hulk Has Been By My Side Since We Started In The Wrestling Business.”
FILE – World Wrestling Federation heavyweight champion Hulk Hogan, left, and Mr. T. appear at a news conference on Sunday, March 18, 1985, in New York’s Madison Square Garden. AP Photo/Corey Struller
He added, “An Incredible Athlete, Talent, Friend, And Father! Our Friendship Has Meant The World To Me. He Was Always There For Me Even When I Didn’t Ask For Him To Be. He Was One Of The First To Visit Me When I Was In The Hospital With A 2% Chance Of Living, And He Prayed By My Bedside. Hulk Also Lent Me Money When Reid Was Sick. Hulkster, No One Will Ever Compare To You! Rest In Peace My Friend! .”
Flair’s daughter, American professional wrestler Charlotte Flair, shared a tribute to Hogan on X, stating that he was there for her when she “nearly lost my dad 8 years ago.”
“One of the few people who was there for all of it was Hulk Hogan,” she wrote, adding that her “heart breaks” for Hogan’s son and daughter, Nick Hogan and Brooke Hogan.
WWE Champ John Layfield also shared a memory of Hogan on X, writing that Hogan was “one of the reasons I got into wrestling.”
Hulk Hogan attends the NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment 2015 Upfront at The Jacob Javits Center on May 14, 2015, in New York. Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File
“Hulk was always so nice to me and was the one celebrity that wanted to see all the kids I brought over from Bermuda,” Layfield added. “RIP legend. There will never be another. Hulkamania never dies.”
On X, House Speaker Mike Johnson shared a photo of himself with Hogan, now-Education Secretary Linda McMahon and President Donald Trump on the campaign trail last year.
Hogan notably gave a speech in support of Trump on the final night of the Republican National Convention last year.
“We all have fond memories of Hulk Hogan,” Johnson wrote. “From my childhood in the ’80s, to campaigning with him last year, I always saw him as a giant in stature and in life. May he rest in peace.”
Donald Trump Jr. also took to X with a photo of Hogan and wrote, “R.I.P to a legend. HULK HOGAN.”
Hulk Hogan attends a New Era In Florida Gaming Event at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa on December 08, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images
Hogan’s friends across Hollywood also paid tribute to him following his death. Throughout his career, the wrestler had made several television appearances, including appearing on the sitcom “Suddenly Susan” alongside Brooke Shields.
Shields shared a post about Hogan to Instagram on Thursday, along with a photo of her, Hogan and Kathy Griffin.
“Rest easy, Hulk,” she wrote in the caption. “This moment and his entire guest episode on ‘Suddenly Susan’ was a true highlight. Sending love to all of his loved ones today .”
In 1982, Hogan appeared alongside Sylvester Stallone in “Rocky III” as the wrestling champion Thunderlips.
Stallone wrote on Instagram, “I had the pleasure of meeting this brilliant personality and showman when he was 26 years old. He was absolutely wonderful and his amazing skill made Rocky three incredibly special.”
“My heart breaks,” he added.
Former “Saved by the Bell” star and TV host Mario Lopez shared an Instagram post Thursday, recounting the moment he and his kids met Hogan in person. Lopez wrote that he “grew up running wild like a true Hulkamaniac” and was “truly starstruck” when he finally got to meet the wrestler.
“Hearing about Hulk Hogan’s passing hits deep — feels like a piece of my childhood is gone,” he wrote. “The bandana, the flex, the leg drop, the larger-than-life energy he was the superhero for so many of us. Rest easy brother… Forever a legend.”