Sylvester Stallone Pays Tribute to ‘Rocky III’ Co-Star Hulk Hogan Following His Death
Sylvester Stallone paid tribute to Hulk Hogan hours after his death on July 24. On Instagram, the actor shared a photo from the 1982 movie Rocky III, which featured a scene in the ring with Hogan.
“I have the pleasure of meeting this brilliant personality and showman when he was 26 years old,” Stallone, 79, captioned the photo. “He was absolutely wonderful and his amazing skill made Rocky three incredibly special. My heart breaks. I think that he’s gone.”
Hogan, whose birth name was Terry Gene Bollea, died at his Clearwater, Florida, home on July 24, with 911 operators stating he suffered a "cardiac arrest” incident, TMZ reported. The WWE Hall of Famer was 71 years old.
In Rocky III, Hogan played Thunderlips, a world wrestling champion who fights Stallone’s Rocky in an exhibition charity event. The movie also featured Mr. T as boxer Clubber Lang.
Stallone, who remained friends with Hogan for the next four decades, previously posted a photo from the Rocky III scene which showed him holding Hogan above his head during filming. “Who knew that …I would be lifting the Incredible Hulk Hogan who was over 310 pounds!” the actor wrote. “HULK also THREW the straightest punches I’ve ever encountered. Great athlete. “
In a 2024 Instagram post, Stallone also reflected on working with Hogan. “WOW, HULK was the best,” he wrote. "Fantastic athlete and threw the most amazing punches of all. Because he was bare fisted I could actually feel his punch touching my skin yet he knew just when to pull back… Amazing!"
On July 24, Hogan was remembered by the WWE in a heartfelt post on X. “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. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans,” the post read.
Hogan is survived by his wife, Sky Daily, and his children, Brooke and Nick Hogan.
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