Hulk Hogan’s roles as movie star, media crusader and MAGA hypeman had a major impact outside of the ring

Hulk Hogan, who died on Thursday at the age of 71, he will be remembered as a true icon of professional wrestling. His extraordinary star power has helped transform the wrestling industry into a global phenomenon that rivals traditional sports in reach, revenue and cultural influence.

However, as important as his wrestling legacy was, the man born Terry Gene Bollea also left his mark in other ways. These are some of the most memorable roles he played outside the ring.

TV and film star

Hogan's larger-than-life tough guy persona seemed perfectly suited to the hyper-macho aura that defined action films of the 1980s and '90s. His first acting gig was perhaps his most successful when he played the wrestler known as Thunderlips in 1982. Rocky III. He landed his first leading role seven years later, again playing a character inspired by his wrestling personality in No restrictions. The film turned out to be a commercial failure and was absolutely panned by critics. His next two films Suburban Commando And Mister Nanny, received similar receptions. Hogan had no luck on television either. His show Thunder in Paradisedebuted in 1994, was canceled after one season.

Although his attempts to become a leading man failed, Hogan had a long list of memorable guest roles and bit parts in a wide variety of projects over the decades, including Suddenly Susan, Muppets in space And Goldbergs.

reality star

Hogan had much more success on screen when he wasn't playing a character at all. The first episode of the series aired on VH1 in 2005. Hogan knows bestwhich chronicles his daily life with his wife and two children, Brooke and Nick. The show was a great success, collecting largest audience ever for a premiere episode to that point. The show ran for four seasons before being abruptly canceled due to a series of scandals within the family, including car accident involving Nick Hogan, leaving his friend seriously injured.

Hogan knows best helped Brooke achieve modest success as a recording artist and star of her own reality show, Brooke knows best.

Media crusader

Hogan found himself at the center of one of the most important media legal battles in recent history. In 2012, popular gossip and news site Gawker published clips of a video of Hogan having sex with a friend's ex-wife. With the financial backing of right-wing tech billionaire Peter Thiel, Hogan sued on the grounds that Goker had violated his privacy and caused him emotional harm. The jury found in his favor, awarding him total damages of $140 million.

The case sent Gawker Media, one of the defining media brands of its time, into bankruptcy. Its flagship site was closed in 2016. Some of its other properties, including Deadspin, Gizmodo and Jezebel, remained in operation under new ownership, but never came close to reaching the heights they achieved while under Gawker's umbrella.

MAGA hypeman

Hogan's wrestling persona was decidedly pro-American, but politics did not become a major part of his personal brand until the 2024 presidential race. Last year, he became one of President Trump's most ardent supporters. He promoted “Trumpmania” during what Trump called an “absolutely electric speech” at the Republican National Convention last July, in which Hogan resumed his signature move of ripping his shirt to shreds. He put on a similar show during a Trump rally in New York a few weeks before Election Day.

“In politics, celebrity endorsements rarely go viral. But by thinking BIG and retro…Team Trump could do just that,” Yahoo's Andrew Romano. wrote after Hogan's speech at the convention.