WWE legend Hulk Hogan dies at 71
MIAMI (AFP)Hulk Hogan, the iconic face of professional wrestling in the 1980s who parlayed his prowess in the ring into an acting career, has died at the age of 71, US media reported Thursday.Hogan, a Hall of Fame talent known for his towering 6'7" (two-meter) physique, bandana and distinctive blond handlebar mustache -- died at his home in Florida, NBC News reported, citing his manager Chris Volo.TMZ also reported the news, citing unnamed sources and an emergency personnel dispatch call about a "cardiac arrest" at his home.Hogan's magnetic personality, his ring character was a heroic all-American, and wrestling skills transformed the sport into mainstream family entertainment, attracting millions of viewers and turning the league into a revenue juggernaut.Hogan, real name Terry Bollea, first competed in 1979 in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now known as WWE) but became a mainstay and fan favourite in the mid-1980s alongside others like Andre the Giant and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper.
His brand of "Hulkamania" transferred to the small and big screen, with roles in films such as "Rocky III," and "No Holds Barred". He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Middle East Eye
2 days ago
- Middle East Eye
Ziad Rahbani, icon of Lebanese music and theatre, dies at 69
Ziad Rahbani, one of Lebanon's most influential cultural figures and the son of Arab music legend Fairuz, has died at the age of 69. A playwright, composer, and political commentator, Rahbani shaped the landscape of Lebanese theatre and music with his biting wit, leftist and secular politics, and sharp portrayals of his country's fractured society. "On Saturday at 9:00 am [6am GMT], the heart of the great artist and creator Ziad Rahbani stopped beating," said a statement from the Beirut hospital where the artist, who has long suffered from health problems, was being treated. The son of Fairuz, who turned 90 last year, and the late composer Assi Rahbani, Ziad first rose to prominence in the 1970s. He broke away from the romanticism of his parents' work to create art rooted in social critique and everyday struggles. Tributes poured in for the enfant terrible of Lebanese music, whose theatre productions and songs left an enduring mark on generations of Lebanese - many of whom know his lyrics and playscripts by heart. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Rahbani was a versatile composer and a pioneer of oriental jazz. He mixed traditional Arabic melodies with jazz, funk and classical influences, creating a unique and instantly recognisable sound. Rahbani composed for Fairuz in her later years, bringing political depth to her repertoire. Throughout Lebanon's civil war (1975-1990) and in the decades that followed, Rahbani's plays became spaces where Lebanese audiences confronted their harsh realities. He often highlighted the hardships of Lebanon's working class. His characters were disillusioned citizens, ex-revolutionaries or everyday people caught in the complexities of Lebanon's political and sectarian struggles. Lebanese diva Fairuz talks to her son, Ziad Rahbani, and Armenian conductor Karen Durgarian during rehearsals prior to their concert in Dubai on 23 January 2003 (AFP) One of his most influential plays, Nazl el-Sourour (Happiness Hotel), is a political satire set in a run-down hotel, where two laid-off workers take the guests hostage in a failed attempt at revolution. Through humour and absurdity, the play critiques class divisions and the hollowness of political slogans in pre-war Lebanon. Another one of his landmark works, the 1980 production Film Ameriki Tawil (A Long American Film), is a satirical portrayal of the civil war, set in an asylum where the patients represent different segments of society. Rahbani articulated a collective frustration and longing for change. For many in Lebanon and across the Arab world, his death marks the loss of a singular voice that never stopped asking uncomfortable questions.
Al Etihad
2 days ago
- Al Etihad
Lebanese artist Ziad Rahbani, son of Fairuz, dies at 69
26 July 2025 16:30 BEIRUT (AFP)Renowned Lebanese musician and composer Ziad Rahbani, son of music icon Fairuz and pioneer of Oriental jazz, died on Saturday aged 69 after revolutionising Lebanese theatre and music."On Saturday at 9:00 am (0600 GMT), the heart of the great artist and creator Ziad Rahbani stopped beating," said a statement from the Beirut hospital where he was being had long suffered from health poured in for the enfant terrible of Lebanese music -- a musician, composer and theatre producer who made a huge mark on generations of Lebanese with his theatre pieces and songs, which many know by Rahbani was the son of Arab musical icon Fairuz, who turned 90 last year, and the late Lebanese composer Assi Rahbani who along with his brother Mansour modernised Arab music by blending Western, Russian and Latin American sounds with Eastern adored by older generations, Fairuz became a youth idol when her son began composing jazz-influenced songs for her, calling it "Oriental jazz".Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said in a statement that Rahbani was "a voice that rebelled against injustice, an honest mirror for the oppressed and marginalised". Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said that "Lebanon has lost an exceptional artist and creative, a free voice who stayed faithful to the values of justice and dignity" and who said "what many don't dare to say".
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Khaleej Times
‘Our childhood hero': UAE fans mourn death of wrestling legend Hulk Hogan
Wrestling fans in the UAE are mourning the loss of Hulk Hogan, one of the most iconic figures in professional wrestling, who died on Thursday at the age of 71. For many residents, especially those who grew up watching wrestling in the 1980s and 90s, Hogan was more than just an athlete - he was a strength, drama, and entertainment. 'He was our childhood hero,' said Haidar, a 42-year-old Sharjah resident who has been a wrestling fan since the age of 10. 'The way he entered the ring, with that music, the red and yellow bandana, tearing his shirt apart. It gave us goosebumps every time.' Hogan, born Terry Gene Bollea, died at a Florida hospital after suffering cardiac arrest. Known for his larger-than-life personality and his 24-inch biceps, Hogan helped make wrestling a global sensation. His popularity extended far beyond America and the UAE, along with other countries in Asia. 'In the 90s, we would gather in front of the TV every Sunday and Monday noon and evening to watch him,' said Haider. 'There was no internet or social media back then. Hogan was the superstar we all talked about in school. We would try to mimic his moves without hurting each other.' Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. For many, watching wrestling became a ritual that bonded friends, families, and entire neighbourhoods. 'I remember rushing home from school every Monday, throwing my bag aside, grabbing lunch, and switching on the TV,' said Fahad Sheikh, a 35-year-old resident of Arjan. 'WWE was everything. One Monday, it was raining and school was closed, so all my friends from the building came over. We sat together, shouting at the screen as Hogan fought. It's one of my happiest childhood memories.' Fans also recalled their favourite moments like Hogan's historic body slam of Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III, or his epic clash with The Rock in 2002. 'I was just 12 years old then, and we had waited for this clash for weeks,' added Fahad. 'All of my cousins gathered at our place, including our father and elder brothers, to witness the showdown.' Among the many fans who remember Hogan is Jose Francisco, a 39-year-old Filipino expat in Dubai, who recalled waking up in the early hours back home just to catch Hogan on TV. 'I grew up in Cebu, and WWE used to air around 8 or 9 in the morning, Philippine time,' said Jose. 'We would skip Sunday mass sometimes just to watch it live. I remember once, I pretended to be sick just so I wouldn't miss Hulk Hogan's match. My parents were furious later, but it was worth it.' Jose recalled dressing up in a WWE starts during a school talent show in 1995. 'I wrapped a yellow towel around my head like a bandana and tore an old T-shirt on stage. I got the loudest cheers that day,' he said. Hogan was inducted twice into the WWE Hall of Fame and is widely considered one of the most influential wrestlers in history.
