It’s been sad week for celebrity deaths. First, metal icon Ozzy Osbourne passed away on Tuesday, July 22, after a long time suffering with Parkinson’s disease. Then, news broke of ‘The Cosby Show’ actor Malcolm-Jamal Warne passing away. Now, this week has claimed one of the greatest sports entertainers in the industry.
Hulk Hogan has died at 71 years old, according to TMZ Sports and multiple reports. According to TMZ, medics were sent to Hogan’s Clearwater, Florida home Thursday morning, July 24, and he was experiencing a “cardiac arrest.”
TMZ adds, “We’re told a slew of police cars and EMTs were parked outside Hogan’s home, and the icon was carried on a stretcher and into an ambulance.”
Hulk Hogan’s Cause of Death
According to the Today Show, Hogan died after “suffering a sudden cardiac arrest on July 24, his possible cause of death, according to local authorities.”
Hogan’s cause of death was also confirmed by the Clearwater Police Department in Florida. In a statement, officials said fire and police personnel responded to a medical call for Hogan, and that “the nature of the call was for a cardiac arrest.” He was pronounced dead at 11:17 a.m.
In June 2025, Us Weekly reported that the wrestler was recovering following a recent heart surgery, with a source claiming, “Hulk had pretty serious heart surgery a few weeks ago and was doing well afterward. It wasn’t a near-death thing.”
The Us Weekly story adds that talk “about Hogan’s health started circulating on Wednesday, June 18, after radio host Bubba the Love Sponge said Hogan, 71, was in the hospital and phone calls had been made to loved ones ‘about getting to town to come say your goodbyes.'”
Now, the Worldwide Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has also confirmed the legend’s death in a statement on X, saying, “WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has 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.”
Hogan was born Terry Eugene Bollea on August 11, 1953, Augusta, Georgia. He became one of the most popular wrestling personalities of the 1980s and is considered one of professional wrestling’s greatest of all time. Over the years, he became famous for his wild ring theatrics and powerful physique. He was also popular with kids and helped transform professional wrestling into home entertainment, along with the WWE.
Hulk Hogan on the Big Screen
While Hogan was known for his work in the ring, he was also one of the first wrestlers to get into feature films. In 1982, the wrestler appeared in the movie ‘Rocky III’ portraying the wrestler Thunderlips.
“Ever the performer, Hogan maintained an acting career, appearing in the 1982 film ‘Rocky III’ as the character Thunderlips, as well as ‘No Holds Barred,’ ‘Suburban Commando’ and ‘Mr Nanny,'” The Guardian states. “From 2005 and 2007, he starred on the VH1 reality show ‘Hogan Knows Best’ along with his then wife Linda and his children Brooke and Nick.” He starred in a total of 15 movies during his career.
On a personal level, Hogan was married three times. He got engaged to yoga instructor Sky Daily in 2023, and they got married on Sept. 22 of that year. He shares a daughter named Brooke and a son named Nick with his ex-wife, Linda Hogan.
Hulk Hogan Cause of Death Announced