Wrestling legend “Rowdy” Roddy Piper has died at the age of 61… TMZ Sports has learned.
Roddy Toombs, best known for portraying “Rowdy” Roddy Piper in both the former WWF and WCW, is dead at the age of 61 according to a TMZ report. He died from cardiac arrest in his sleep at his home in Hollywood at around noon Friday. He was central to the explosion of WWF’s popularity, with his feuds against Hulk Hogan and Mr. T playing prominent roles in the creation of the first Wrestlemania and its 1986 sequel. WWE inducted him into its Hall of Fame in 2005.
Piper was a wrestling icon — one of the biggest stars in the WWE back in the ’80s, and even wrestled in “Wrestlemania I” back in 1985 … squaring off against Hulk Hogan and Mr. T.
He was also the star of the criminally underrated 1988 sci-fir horror film, They Live.
Piper had been diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2006, but last November he said he was cancer free.
Roddy was admitted into the WWE Hall of Fame back in 2005 and was one of the top 50 villains in the history of the WWE .
Piper had a long relationship with WWE — last wrestling back in 2008 … but appeared on various WWE shows up until 2014.
Roddy is survived by his wife Kitty and their 4 kids — including 3 daughters and son Colton who’s pursuing a career in professional wrestling.
Here are some tweets from his son, other WWE contemporaries, and the WWE Chairman himself:
My father @R_Roddy_Piper was a great man and my best friend I will miss him forever and will alway try to be the man he raised me to be
— Colt Toombs (@ColtToombs) July 31, 2015
Sad to hear about Roddy Piper.He once worked 91 nights w/out a day off.WWE wouldn't be what it is today w/out him.Wonderful athlete & friend
— Jesse Ventura (@GovJVentura) July 31, 2015
Heartbroken & numb @ news of Roddy Piper. One of my best friends. Many memories. Prayers & love to his family @ this time. RIP Hot Rod.
— SGT SLAUGHTER (@_SgtSlaughter) July 31, 2015
Roddy Piper was one of the most entertaining, controversial and bombastic performers ever in WWE… (1/2)
— Vince McMahon (@VinceMcMahon) July 31, 2015
…beloved by millions of fans around the world. I extend my deepest condolences to his family. (2/2)
— Vince McMahon (@VinceMcMahon) July 31, 2015
The WWE lost another icon six weeks ago, when Dusty Rhodes passed away at the age of 69.
Today, we are all out of bubble gum.