Variety has some sad news http://variety.com/2015/biz/obituaries-people-news/roddy-piper-dies-dead-wwe-wrestler-1201554513/
Andre Csillag/REX Shutterstock
Born Roderick George Toombs, Piper joined the WWE in 1984 after getting his start with the NWA in the late 1970s. He and Hulk Hogan met in landmark matchups including MTV’s “The War to Settle the Score” and the first WrestleMania, where Piper and “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff took on Hogan and Mr. T.
Piper’s agent Jay Schacter confirmed the news, first reported by TMZ, to Variety. “Rod passed peacefully in his sleep last night,” Schacter said in an email. “I am shocked and beyond devastated.”
Piper had suffered a bout of Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2006 but was reportedly deemed cancer-free last November.
“WWE extends its sincerest condolences to Toombs’ family, friends and fans,” WWE said in a statement.
WWE chairman and CEO Vince McMahon also extended his condolences in a statement. “Roddy Piper was one of the most entertaining, controversial and bombastic performers ever in WWE, beloved by millions of fans around the world. I extend my deepest condolences to his family.”
The wrestler had also made a foray into film acting, starring in John Carpenter’s sci-fi pic “They Live.”
“Devastated to hear the news of my friend Roddy Piper’s passing today. He was a great wrestler, a masterful entertainer and a good friend,” Carpenter wrote on Facebook.
WWE stars and friends such as Hulk Hogan, Chris Jericho and the Iron Sheik also shared their condolences on Twitter.
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He came to chew gum and kick-ass. And he was all out of gum. A fun actor in The Live and other movies and a great laugh with the old WWF. Yet another wrestler lost to "heart attack".
Tempus fugit
Ah b*llocks. While not the world's best - 'They Live' is one of my favourite movies. I've still got a video of it. I think I'll watch it with some popcorn tomorrow. RIP Roddy Piper. The fight scene with David Keith is epic...."wear the glasses..." everyone should watch this movie.
ReplyDeleteThe bit where Piper smashes the bottle on the car and it disintegrates and they both burst out laughing! And Hell Comes To Frog Town alongside the legend that is/was Rory Calhoun!!
ReplyDeleteI remember him from my childhood. RIP mate.
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