Born Terry Gene Bollea in Augusta, Georgia, he began wrestling professionally for the first time in 1978, using various names. Around 1980 he joined the World Wrestling Federation calling himself Hulk Hogan. He became one of the most popular wrestlers of the 1980s, with loyal fans known as "Hulkamaniacs". He played the role of an honest and courageous good guy, reminding children to take their vitamins. Hogan is 6'8" tall with long blonde hair, with a bald spot usually covered by a bandana. As the Hulk, his usual colors were yellow and red.
He used his popularity to gain television and cinema roles such as his appearance in 1982's Rocky III, in which he played the wrestler Thunderlips, which helped increase his wrestling popularity. He starred in his own films including No Holds Barred (1989), Suburban Commando (1991), Mr. Nanny (1993), and Santa with Muscles (1996). He starred in his own television series, Thunder in Paradise, in 1994.
He briefly retired from wrestling, before reinventing himself as a heel (or villain) in the 1990s. He dyed his beard black and joined the nWo, or New World Order.