As one of American wrestling's foremost superstars, Hulk Hogan reached households far beyond the scope of the landscape he inhabited.
The WWE star was less a wrestler and more a bohemian, wearing a lot of different hats over the course of his lengthy career.
He was a pop star without the music, a movie star who rarely acted. Hogan's presence drew buzz, both from the people who pooled into colosseums to get a glimpse of his skills and others who had never heard of his name before.
Pop culture can be a fickle sorceress, even for sport's grandest names. But for Hogan, the well was ever-flowing, resulting in a number of positive experiences.
With that, here's a look back at some of Hogan's most notable pop culture moments.
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Hulk Hogan best pop culture moments
'Real American'
Hogan's theme song, "Real American," proved a major hit across various parts of the country — namely, the Bible Belt. The track, authored by Rick Derringer and Bernard Kenny for "The Wrestling Album," was not initially penned with Hogan in mind. U.S. Express — the tag-team duo of Barry Windham and Mike Rotunda — initially used the offering, while Hogan resorted to other tracks, including "Eye of the Tiger."
But when the ditty landed in Vince McMahon's lap, he knew he had a winner. He just needed the right person to lay claim to the anthem. Hogan, with his wisps of blonde hair and brash persona, took on the honor, aided by his feud with The Iron Sheik, whose Iranian heritage was a point of contention for American wrestling fans.
Thus, a star was born. "Real American" remained a cultural touchstone among those who cake themselves in red, white, and blue. Given Hogan's politics, that's likely just what he wanted.
The song later became an inspiration for Hogan's "Real American Beer," which he promoted frequently.
'Say your prayers, eat your vitamins'
Hogan was a lot of things during his time on this mortal coil — a wrestler, a movie star, and, at times, a prodigious teller of tales. But he knew how to sell himself. Case in point: his foray into the world of children's multivitamins.
Hogan was no health expert. He did have the gift of gab, though. He'd spin tales about supplements, first as a way to sell his fights — and his persona. Not only did he spur on viewership. But his signature quote — "Say your prayers, eat your vitamins, be true to yourself, be true to your country, be a real American" — also gave him legitimacy, at least among a segment of his fans.
That was enough to land him a vitamins deal. Go figure.
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Rocky III
Hogan wasn't just a wrestler. He was an entertainer. And like any entertainer, he had to try his luck on the silver screen.
What better film to do so in than "Rocky III", one of the 1980s' most talked-about screenplays? Hogan wasn't the movie's only supernova, but he served up a quintessentially Hogan performance, showcasing range, athleticism, and his distinct stage presence as Thunderlips, the loudmouth wrestler tasked with quelling Rocky's stardom. Also, it was fun seeing Sylvester Stallone treat him like a rag doll in front of
The appearance proved successful both for "Rocky III" — which grossed more than $270 million worldwide — and Hogan, whose debut set him up for a variety of film roles. Hogan appeared in "No Holds Barred" before earning starring roles in "Suburban Commando" and "Mr. Nanny," among other movies.
Hulk Hogan action figures
Hogan was made the subject of many trinkets during his lengthy career. His unmistakable look made him an icon, not only among wrestling viewers but also action figure enthusiasts. Mattel, Ringside, Funko Pop, Nitto, Wrestling Superstars — brands past and present felt compelled to make Hogan their muse.
Some had him cloaked in red and white, others decked him in his signature yellow. Regardless, with more than 400 figurines erected in his honor, Hogan's legacy resides on bookshelves and cabinets across the world.
Hogan lands on cover of Sports Illustrated, hosts SNL
The WWF needed its best and brightest to advertise its nascent competition, WrestleMania, in 1985. It called on Hogan, who took to the "Saturday Night Live" stage with Mr. T one night before WrestleMania's debut.
Hogan's wizardry with the microphone was on full display during his monologue, which saw him tear apart his and Mr. T's prospective opponents: "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndoff.
The appearance was a hit. Hogan, with his artful diction and captivating tone, put butts into seats, both during the "SNL" appearance and afterwards. A month later, Hogan broke through to the sports mainstream, appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
Sports Illustrated Cover, April 29, 1985: Hulk Hogan pic.twitter.com/iPgHRum2vb
— RetroNewsNow (@RetroNewsNow) April 29, 2018
Forty years later, the impact of those events — and the spectacle that preceded them — not only further legitimized the WWF but also still lingers.
Hogan's command of the camera also set the stage for myriad television appearances, both as a guest star and the centerpiece. "Hulk Hogan's Wrestling Rock n Wrestling" captivated audiences throughout the mid-1980s, while the "Hogan Knows Best" reality show drew interest in the mid-2000s.