WWE paid tribute to Hogan, calling him “one of pop culture’s most recognizable figures.”
WASHINGTON — Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan died Thursday, just a few weeks shy of his 72nd birthday. The news was confirmed by WWE in a statement shared on social media.
“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,” the wrestling promotion said. “WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans.”
The wrestler’s manager, Chris Volo, told NBC Los Angeles that Hogan died at his home in Clearwater, Florida, surrounded by family.
What happened to Hulk Hogan?
An official cause of death has not yet been released, as of early Thursday afternoon.
The Clearwater Police Department reported medical personnel responded to a medical call for a cardiac arrest at Hogan’s home just before 10 a.m. Thursday morning.
The department said Hogan was treated by Clearwater Fire & Rescue crews before being being transported to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
His passing comes just one month after his representative responded to rumors that the star was on his death bed. At the time, Hogan had been hospitalized for ongoing back and neck issues.
The rep told E! News there were “no reasons to panic” and that over the years Hogan has “had problems with his back,” but the surgery was “successful.”
Hogan, whose real name was Terry Gene Bollea, became a professional wrestler in 1977, but rose to international fame after signing with the World Wrestling Federation, which later became the WWE.
Known for his flamboyant and heroic style in the ring, Hogan quickly became one of the most prolific wrestlers on the circuit, and helped usher in a boom in wrestling’s popularity in the 1980s.
Hogan, with his signature horseshoe moustache and bandanas, is widely known as one of the most recognized wrestling stars in the world. He has been retired from active participation in the ring since 2012, but remained signed with WWE as a brand ambassador.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.