Look back at the highs and lows of Hulk Hogan

Hulk Hogan, who died at the age of 71, was the American hero of professional struggle, with his combination of macho athletics and the larger than life staging playing a huge role while sport exploded in popularity in the 1980s. But he also had scandals and controversies in recent years.

Born Terry Gene Bollea, he started his career in Florida in the 1970s and won the nickname “Hulk” after imposing the incredible Hulk actor, Lou Ferrigno, in a local television program.

He then became Hogan after joining the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) – whose owner Vince McMahon wanted a fighter with a name for his Irishman.

Hogan is represented with parents Peter and Ruth behind the scenes of Madison Square Garden in New York in 1984.

His ascent to glory went hand in hand with the rise of the fight as a television show, mixing sport with the drama, characters and scenarios of the show business.

With the good guys opposed to Bad, he was the hero and the fans’ favorite.

Hogan put his actor skills to use on the screen when he played Thunderlips, the opponent of Sylvester Stallone in a charity fight, in the 1982 Rocky III film.

He also portrayed Starlight Starbright in the Dolly Parton varieties show in 1987, the country singer appearing as her superfan who became a video in a video for her head song on my heart.

When Wrestlemania V took place in Trump Plaza in Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1989, Hogan met the host of the event – and would continue to approve Donald as president.

He forged a Hollywood career outside the ring in films, including No Helds Bard, Suburban Commando, M. Nanny (photo) and Santa Claus with muscles.

Back in the ring, he faced a new generation of stars of the fight in the 2000s, notably Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in a match presented as “Icon vs icon” in Wrestlemania X8.

“I am in better shape than him,” Hogan told Reuters, five months before his 50th birthday – but the rock came out victorious.

John Cena felt the strength of Hulk Hogan – or at least seemed – when they presented themselves together at the Teen Choice Awards 2005.

Hogan continued to fight while his fame continued to climb up while the years worked – illustrated by facing his veteran colleague Ric Flair in 2009.

The scenarios may have often been pre-written but the blood was real.

In total, Hogan won six WWF / WWE championships, less than WrestleMania eight times and has been gone twice in the WWE renown temple.

He also appreciated the success of reality TV in his own series, Hogan Knows Knows Best, alongside his wife Linda and their two children from 2005 to 2007.

His image took a shot not scripted in 2015 when he was suspended by WWE for having used a racial insult in a disclosed video. “Please forgive me,” he said in an interview in tears with Good Morning America from ABC. “I’m a nice guy.” He was reinstated three years later, but it was not something that many people could forgive.

Hogan was also involved in a high -level legal battle with Gawker after the Gossip website published a video of him having sex with a friend’s wife. The star continued and received 140 million dollars, ultimately satisfied with $ 31 million, putting Gawker on bankruptcy. His legal bill was paid by the technological billionaire Peter Thiel, who said he wanted to brake “the intimidation” of Gawker, and the case was extremely divided.

In recent years, he has divided opinion between fans as one of Donald Trump’s most vocal supporters, interrupting him in his theatrical style of brand during events such as the National Republican Convention a year ago, and a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York in October (photo).