Wrestling legend and pop culture icon Hulk Hogan, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 71, leaves behind not just an unmatched legacy in the world of professional wrestling, but also a memorable chapter in film and television.
While Hogan rose to global fame inside the ring, his persona carried him smoothly into Hollywood. Throughout the 1980s and ’90s, he became a regular on screen, bringing his mix of action and humour to a wide range of roles.
Rocky III (1982) |
Hogan’s most remembered film appearance came in Rocky III (1982), where he played the wrestler Thunderlips opposite Sylvester Stallone. Though a guest appearance, it remains one of the most iconic moments in the Rocky franchise and helped propel Hogan’s mainstream acting career.
Mr. Nanny (1993) |
He went on to star as the lead in several films, including No Holds Barred (1989), a wrestling drama produced by WWE, which was much loved. He also starred in family-friendly comedies like Suburban Commando (1991) and Mr. Nanny (1993), which helped show his comedic side, something which viewers had not seen before. While these films weren’t box office blockbusters, they are an entertaining watch and have stood the test of time on OTT platforms.
No Holds Barred (1989) |
Along with his film work, Hogan was also seen on television, including guest roles on Walker, Texas Ranger, The A-Team, and his own reality show Hogan Knows Best, which was on TV in the mid-2000s. These appearances further helped him in areas other than the wrestling ring.
Suburban Commando (1991) |
Though his acting career never matched up to his wrestling stardom, The Hulk, as he was commonly referred to, had become a fixture in pop culture.
Recently, in the last few years, he was also seen on famous podcasts such as The Joe Rogan Show, talking about his wrestling memories and life after. Hogan’s death has led to all sorts of tributes from fans from all over the world on social media, who grew up watching him in WWF and WWE in their growing-up years.
