Hulk Hogan's Most Memorable Movies And TV Moments That Made Him A Pop Culture Icon

News18

24-07-2025

Last Updated:
From Rocky III to Mr. Nanny and Thunder in Paradise, Hulk Hogan brought Hulkamania to Hollywood with his loud, larger-than-life roles.
Hulk Hogan, the larger-than-life wrestling legend who ruled the ring in the 1980s and brought WWE to the mainstream, has passed away. He was 71. Apart from wrestling, Hogan carved out a memorable path in movies and television. While fans will forever remember his iconic bout with Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III, Hogan's legacy extends well beyond body slams and leg drops. With his unmistakable moustache, booming voice and red-and-yellow persona, he became one of the most recognisable celebrities of his generation on screen as much as in the ring.
Hogan made his film debut with a bang in Rocky III, playing the flamboyant wrestler Thunderlips opposite Sylvester Stallone's Rocky Balboa. The brief but memorable appearance introduced Hogan's larger-than-life charisma to global audiences. Stallone once recalled that Hogan was so intense during filming, he accidentally sent four stuntmen to the hospital while performing a crowd leap.
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No Holds Barred (1989): Life Imitates the Ring
Riding high on Hulkamania, Hogan starred in No Holds Barred, a fictional wrestling film produced by WWE. Hogan played Rip, a character not unlike himself — a heroic, unstoppable wrestler who must face a monstrous rival named Zeus. Though critically panned, the film became a cult favourite and even spilled into real-life WWE storylines.
Mr. Nanny (1993) and Suburban Commando (1991): Hulk in Family Mode
As Hollywood leaned into family-friendly action comedies in the early '90s, Hogan was cast in a series of slapstick, fish-out-of-water roles. In Suburban Commando, he played an intergalactic warrior stranded in suburbia. In Mr. Nanny, he portrayed a tough guy tasked with babysitting rebellious kids — cue hijinks and headbands. While these roles were mocked by critics, they earned Hogan a new generation of young fans.
Santa With Muscles (1996): So Bad It's Good
Often cited as one of the worst Christmas movies ever made, Santa With Muscles has become a beloved disasterpiece over time. Hogan plays a selfish millionaire who ends up believing he's Santa Claus. It's peak '90s absurdity and perfectly in line with Hogan's over-the-top appeal.
Thunder in Paradise (1994): TV's Tropical Tough Guy
Hogan found a new home on the small screen with Thunder in Paradise, a syndicated action-adventure series about ex-Navy SEALs and a high-tech boat. It combined beach vibes with B-movie storytelling and was unmistakably a Hogan vehicle from start to finish.
Cameos and Voice Work: Hogan in Pop Culture
Hogan leaned into his larger-than-life image with tongue-in-cheek cameos in Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990), Spy Hard (1996), and Muppets from Space (1999). He also voiced himself in animated hits like Robot Chicken and American Dad!, proving that he never took himself too seriously.
Hogan Knows Best and Rock 'n' Wrestling
In 1985, at the height of Hulkamania, he starred in the Saturday morning cartoon Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling, introducing young fans to his character in animated form. Two decades later, he allowed cameras into his personal life with the reality show Hogan Knows Best, featuring his then-wife Linda and their children.
From cult films to cartoons, action series to talk show appearances, Hulk Hogan's entertainment career mirrored his wrestling persona which is loud, bold and always unforgettable. His presence on-screen ensured that Hulkamania wasn't just a wrestling phenomenon but a pop culture movement.
First Published:
July 24, 2025, 22:04 IST
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