Terry Gene Bollea (born August 11, 1953) better known by his ring name Hulk Hogan, is an American actor, and semi-retired professional wrestler.
One of the most popular professional wrestlers of all time, Hulk Hogan was born Terrence Bollea in 1953.
Raised in Florida, Hogan gained an early interest in music, playing guitar and bass in a number of rock bands in the Florida area during his early adult life. After a brief stint at the University of South Florida, he became more interested in body building, and followed a friend's suggestion to try his hand at pro wrestling.
By the early '80s, Hogan had won an NWA championship and become involved with the WWF, where he soon became one of the most popular figures in professional wrestling.
He also appeared in the movie Rocky III in 1982.
Hogan's wrestling career would continue through the '80s, '90s, and 2000s, and during that time he also explored other mediums, popping up in movies like Suburban Commando and Mr. Nanny, and even recording music as his pro wrestling character.He also starred with his family in a popular candid reality show called Hogan Knows Best starting in 2005, following the adventures of his eccentric household. The show starred Hogan, his wife, Linda, his son, Nick (who pursued a career in the vehicular sport of drifting), and his daughter Brooke, a burgeoning pop star.
Hulk Hogan's Pastamania was a restaurant in the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. It was created and financed by Hogan. It opened on the Labor Day weekend of 1995 and was later heavily hyped on World Championship Wrestling's live flagship show WCW Monday Nitro, which actually premiered that September from the mall. The restaurant, which remained in operation for less than a year, featured such dishes as "Hulk-U's" and "Hulk-A-Roos." In 2006, Hogan unveiled his own energy drink, Hogan Energy, distributed by Socko Energy. It was featured in an episode of Hogan Knows Best. His name and likeness are also applied to a line of microwavable hamburgers, cheeseburgers and chicken sandwiches sold at Walmart called "Hulkster Burgers"
In April 2008, Hulk Hogan announced that he would be lending his license to video game developer Gameloft to create "Hulkamania Wrestling" for mobile phones. Hogan stated in a press release that the game would be "true to [his] experiences in wrestling" and use his classic wrestling moves like the Doublehand Choke Lift and Strong Clothesline. In October 2007, Hogan transferred all trademarks referring to himself to his liability company named "Hogan Holdings Limited". The trademarks include Hulk Hogan, "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan, Hulkster, Hogan Knows Grillin, Hulkamania.com, and Hulkapedia.com.
His net worth, according to divorce papers made public on September 5, 2008, is estimated to be $26.7 - $32 million.
On December 18, 1983, Bollea married Linda Claridge (born August 24, 1959). They have a daughter Brooke (born May 5, 1988) and a son Nick (born July 27, 1990). Bollea made his personal life the centerpiece of the television show Hogan Knows Best, which includes his wife and two children.
Bollea's 17 year old son Nick was indicted as an adult on November 7, 2007 on four criminal charges. The charges stemmed from an August car accident which seriously injured the passenger in Nick's car, John Graziano. Nick pleaded no contest and was sentenced to eight months in jail on May 9, 2008.
On November 20, 2007, Bollea's wife Linda filed for divorce in Pinellas County, Florida. Hulk told St. Petersburg Times he was not even aware of the filing when the paper called for a comment. The Graziano family's lawyer believes the divorce might be an attempt to divide the family's assets from a planned civil suit against the Bolleas regarding their son, Nick.
Linda Bollea was seen with her new 19 year-old boyfriend, whose name is Charlie Hill. They were seen together at the beach and Linda has been buying him gifts and clothes since they started dating. Charlie Hill went to the same high school as her kids, a year ahead of Nick and a year below Brooke.
Bollea was honored as the 2008 king of the Krewe of Bacchus, a New Orleans carnival organization. As Bacchus XL, he joined the ranks of Charlton Heston, Jackie Gleason, and Bob Hope. Hogan visited the Children's Hospital of New Orleans and rode in the parade where he threw doubloons with his likeness. Hogan received the honor in part because meeting Hogan is one of the most requested "wishes" of the terminally ill children benefited by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Bollea is currently living with his daughter Brooke who currently stars in the VH1 reality series Brooke Knows Best.