Hulk Hogan

Hogan married Linda Claridge in December 1983, and the couple had two children, Brooke and Nick. The family documented their domestic life on the VH1 reality series Hogan Knows Best from 2005 to 2007. The couple experienced significant strain following a 2007 car crash involving their son Nick that severely injured passenger John Graziano, resulting in Nick serving eight months in prison. Linda filed for divorce in 2007, and the marriage ended in 2009.

Hogan married Jennifer McDaniel in December 2010, and the two divorced in 2021. He later married Sky Daily in September 2023, remaining together until his death. Hogan endured numerous health issues stemming from decades in the ring, undergoing roughly 25 surgeries in his later decades to treat injuries to his neck and back. Hogan suffered a fatal cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida, on July 24, 2025, at the age of 71.

Born Terry Gene Bollea in Augusta, Georgia, Hogan grew up in Tampa, Florida. As an adolescent, his primary ambition was professional baseball, establishing himself as a standout pitcher in Little League and high school. MLB scouts monitored his progress until an elbow injury at age 16 ended his pitching career.

Turning his attention to music, Hogan played bass guitar for a decade across various bands, most notably the Florida rock outfit Ruckus. After attending Hillsborough Community College and studying finance at the University of South Florida, he left school to pursue music full-time. While performing in local venues, he caught the attention of wrestlers Jack and Jerry Brisco, who arranged for Japanese trainer Hiro Matsuda to coach him in professional wrestling.

Hogan made his wrestling debut in 1977 under the name the Super Destroyer before competing as Terry Boulder and Sterling Golden. After appearing on a talk show alongside bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno, a host noted Hogan was larger than television's Incredible Hulk, prompting his nickname. Vincent McMahon Sr. signed him to the World Wrestling Federation in 1979, assigning him the surname Hogan.

Hogan achieved massive mainstream stardom after returning to the WWF under Vince McMahon Jr. in 1983. In January 1984, he defeated the Iron Sheik at Madison Square Garden to capture his first WWF Heavyweight Championship. Promoting a wholesome persona built on training, prayer, and vitamins, Hogan became the centerpiece of the 1980s wrestling boom. His historic showdown against Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III in 1987 drew over 93,000 spectators to the Pontiac Silverdome, culminating in Hogan bodyslamming his opponent in one of the most famous moments in wrestling history.

In 1993, Hogan parted ways with the WWF following controversy surrounding steroid investigations. He signed with Ted Turner's World Championship Wrestling in 1994, capturing the WCW World Heavyweight Championship in his debut match against Ric Flair at Bash at the Beach.

At the 1996 Bash at the Beach event, Hogan shocked fans by turning villainous, rebranding himself as "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan and forming the New World Order alongside Scott Hall and Kevin Nash. The antihero faction propelled WCW to the top of television ratings during the Monday Night Wars. Hogan remained with WCW until its acquisition by the WWF in 2001, returning to WWE in 2002 for iconic matchups against stars like Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

Hogan launched his acting career playing the flamboyant wrestler Thunderlips in Sylvester Stallone's 1982 film Rocky III. During filming, his high-impact stunts resulted in several stunt performers requiring hospital treatment, though the cameo successfully broadened his crossover appeal.

Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, Hogan headlined feature comedies and action films, including No Holds Barred (1989), Suburban Commando (1991), Mr. Nanny (1993), and Santa with Muscles (1996). He also starred in the action television series Thunder in Paradise and voiced characters in animated productions.

In 2012, Hogan initiated legal action against the media company Gawker after it published unauthorized footage from a 2007 sex tape involving Heather Clem. Hogan sued Gawker, founder Nick Denton, and editor A.J. Daulerio for invasion of privacy. In 2016, a Florida jury awarded Hogan $140 million in damages, leading Gawker to declare bankruptcy before settling the case for $31 million.

During the trial, leaked recordings containing racial slurs resulted in WWE terminating Hogan's contract in 2015. He was reinstated in 2018 and made sporadic appearances at major wrestling events, including cohosting WrestleMania 37 in 2021. Hogan also engaged in politics, addressing the 2024 Republican National Convention in support of Donald Trump.