Sylvester Stallone Remembers Hulk Hogan Following His Passing

Sylvester Stallone is paying tribute to his late friend and co-star, Hulk Hogan, who passed away on July 24 at the age of 71 due to cardiac arrest at his Clearwater, Florida home.

The two first crossed paths during the filming of the 1982 film "Rocky III," a time when Hogan was still establishing his wrestling persona. Stallone, now 79, recalled their initial meeting, noting, “He just came in and you knew this guy had a glow about him. He was a force to be reckoned with.”

Stallone described Hogan as enthusiastic and larger than life, weighing around 315 pounds. “He had this deep, calming voice, and he was willing to do anything that would make this show better,” Stallone added, reflecting on Hogan's dedication to the project.

In "Rocky III," Stallone's character faces off against Hogan's Thunderlips during a charity event. The actor recounted how Hogan's careful approach during their fight scenes ensured his safety. “We started to roll around and he would literally pick me up and drop me to the ground, and I thought, ‘I’m going to be literally pulp by the time I land,’” Stallone said. “And yet he would always break the fall.”

Stallone praised Hogan's precision in their fight choreography, stating, “No one was more accurate and precise than him.” He demonstrated Hogan's technique, saying, “Literally, he would punch with his knuckle like this, and he would just touch the skin.”

Beyond their film collaboration, Stallone shared that he had seen Hogan just days before his passing. The two had a chance to connect when Hogan met Stallone’s daughters—Sophia, 28; Sistine, 27; and Scarlet, 23—during a signing event. “He was very busy, took time out for them. It’s truly a tragic loss,” Stallone remarked.

Stallone emphasized that Hogan was often underestimated. “He also was very smart. Quite often people judge a book by its cover. I know what that feels like and they did the same with him,” he explained. “But he was very smart, very entrepreneurial, musical; he had a plethora of all these subjects he was interested in.”

“I’m just a better person for knowing him,” Stallone concluded, reflecting on the profound impact Hogan had on his life.