Hulk Hogan, the stage name of Terry Gene Bollea, was much more than a professional wrestler: he became the face that popularized wrestling around the world, especially World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), the largest company in the industry.
With his imposing physique, his unmistakable blond mustache, his bandanas, and his defiant attitude, Hogan was WWE's biggest star during the '80s and '90s. His "All-American" Hulk Hogan character captured the spirit of an era in the United States. Later, with his "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan version in World Championship Wrestling (WCW), he managed to reinvent himself and remain relevant.
Hogan was, along with names like Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and John Cena, one of the pillars of wrestling's media boom. In 2005, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, although in 2015 he was expelled after the leak of racist comments. Three years later, he was reinstated in the organization, thus regaining his place among the icons of sports entertainment.
His foray into film and TV
With his powerful presence and magnetic charisma, Hogan managed to establish himself as a media figure who crossed the boundaries of the ring, venturing into both film and television.
His most memorable role outside wrestling was in Rocky III, where he played Thunderlips, a giant wrestler who faces Rocky Balboa in an exhibition match. Although his appearance was brief, it became iconic and reinforced his image as an all-around celebrity.
