Hulk Hogan, the professional wrestling legend who embodied “Hulkamania” in the 1980s and sent sports entertainment to unheard-of heights, has died. Hogan also appeared in films and TV programs over the course of his long career, and remained a mainstay in the world of professional wrestling. TMZ reports that Hogan died of heart failure this morning at his home in Clearwater, Florida. Hogan was 71.

Born Terry Gene Bollea in Augusta, Georgia, on August 11, 1953, Hogan was inspired to become a professional wrestler by “Superstar” Billy Graham. He began wrestling professionally in the late 1970s, and took on the name “Hulk Hogan” in 1979, when he was signed by Vince McMahon to wrestle for the World Wrestling Federation: Hulk, thanks to his sculpted physique, and Hogan, because McMahon wanted him to play an Irish character. (Hogan did, in fact, have to come to an arrangement with Marvel Comics over the use of the name “Hulk“.) Hogan was thus on the ground floor for McMahon‘s relentless crusade to buy up the country’s scattered wrestling territories and make wrestling a national craze.

What Is Hulkamania?

As McMahon‘s WWF dominated professional wrestling in the 1980s and carved out a place for itself in the pop-culture zeitgeist, Hogan was front and center as the company’s top “babyface.” Addressing his fans as “Hulkamaniacs,” and tearing out of his shirt as he entered the ring, Hogan became an icon, with his own cartoon, action figures, and breakfast cereal. In his heyday, Hogan also became a movie star, appearing in films like Rocky III and Gremlins 2: The New Batch. However, his attempts to become a leading man himself were largely unsuccessful, as he appeared in a string of disappointments that included No Holds Barred, Suburban Commando, and Mr. Nanny. Hogan‘s success also had a dark side; Hogan‘s repeated falsehoods about his career have become legendary, and he is said to have torpedoed an attempt by Jesse Ventura to unionize professional wrestling.

After Hogan‘s heyday in the WWF (later the WWE), he crossed over to rival promotion World Championship Wrestling, where he shockingly went from all-American hero to ruthless villain. After WCW was acquired by WWE, he continued to appear for that promotion sporadically. He also made the news in 2012 when the website Gawker published a sex tape featuring Hogan; Hogan‘s resulting lawsuit, backed by Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel, helped shatter Gawker.

Hogan is survived by his wife, Sky Daily, and his two children, Brooke and Nick. We send our condolences to Hogan‘s friends and family.