Posted on 07/31/2015 3:20:58 PM PDT by dennisw
Legendary wrestling champion Roddy Piper has reportedly died at the age of 61.
The WWE Hall of Famer died in his Hollywood, Calif. home of natural causes, TMZ reported.
Piper had been diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2006 but last fall said that he was cancer free. Former professional wrestlers Ric Flair watches from outside the ring as WWE Superstar Chris Jericho gets pummeled on the ropes by Piper in 2009. Previous Next
HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 5: (L-R) Former professional wrestlers Ric Flair (seen outside the ring) looks on as WWE Superstar Chris Jericho gets pummeled on the ropes by "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat and Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka look on during WrestleMania 25 at Reliant Stadium on April 5, 2009 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bill Olive/Getty Images) Exported.;
Enlarge Bill Olive/Getty Images Former professional wrestlers Ric Flair watches from outside the ring as WWE Superstar Chris Jericho gets pummeled on the ropes by Piper in 2009.
His unexpected death comes only month after fellow former pro wrestler “Nature Boy” Buddy Landel died at the age of 53 at his home in Virginia.
The Iron Sheik, who was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame with Piper in 2005, tweeted: “Roddy Piper. I love you forever. God bless you
Hulk Hogan might just be the last man standing, it seems.
Lynn Anderson also at 67. (I Never Promised You a Rose Garden)
Wrestling legend “Rowdy” Roddy Piper has died at the age of 61... TMZ Sports has learned.
Piper — born Roderick George Toombs — died from cardiac arrest in his sleep at his home in Hollywood at around noon Friday.
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.
Roddy’s rep tells us, “I am devastated at this news. Rod was a good friend as well as a client and one of the most generous, sincere and authentic people I have ever known. This is a true loss to us all.”
Piper had been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2006, but last November he said he was cancer free. A family source tells us he was “cancer free” at the time of his death.
A family member tells us, “Our family is saddened by the sudden passing of our father and beloved husband, Roderick Toombs aka Rowdy Roddy Piper.”
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.
Read more: http://www.tmz.com/2015/07/31/roddy-piper-dead-dies-wwe-wrestler-cancer/#ixzz3hViqf762
That was a fun movie. The fight scene between Piper and Keith David was epic!
Well, he only came to this earth to do two things: chew bubble gum, and kick ***. And he was all out of bubble gum.
Greatest movie line.
R.I.P. Roddy
There’s a South Park episode where Timmy and Jimmy have a cripple fight, and it’s the same fight choreography.
Yep, South Park parodied that fight scene in the “Cripple Fight” episode:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfgHVSvxZUA
I imagine he was more famous for his acting role than his wrestling. I wonder how he felt about that?
“I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass. And I’m all out of bubblegum.”
They live was a great movie wish it had a remake or sequel. RIP Roddy one of the best wrestling entertainers ever.
He was younger than I am. That’s shocking. I saw him on an episode of Storage Wars and he looked real good. :(
Man he was way too young.
Very sad, Piper was a decent guy. First time I met him was in a convenience store in West Charlotte. He was still wearing his kilt.
Only man I ever knew tough enough to wear a dress on the Westside of Charlotte.
Prayers for his family.
Before the flames, I know a Kilt is not a dress. It’s a joke...lighten up Francis! :)
They Live...but Roddy doesn’t.
he was a character
R.I.P. Rowdy Roddy. “They Live” was a prophetic film. We’re living it today.
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