Sylvester Stallone Reflects on Hulk Hogan’s Unforgettable Presence in Rocky III

Sylvester Stallone is remembering his late Rocky III co-star Hulk Hogan as a rare talent with an unmistakable glow — a man whose energy, humility, and care for others made him stand out in Hollywood from the very start of his career.

Hogan, who died on July 24 at age 71 after going into cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida, is best known as a professional wrestling legend and pop culture icon. But before his meteoric rise in the ring, he made his big-screen debut alongside Stallone in 1982, portraying the flamboyant wrestling champion Thunderlips in the third installment of the Rocky franchise.

“He Had a Light”

In the new documentary TMZ Presents: The Real Hulk Hogan, Stallone recalls first meeting the then-26-year-old wrestler and instantly sensing his star power.

“There’s certain people… that have a light,” Stallone said. “There’s a glow. They just have it.”

While Stallone admitted he could sometimes be moody on set, Hogan was the opposite — “always self-deprecating, loud, welcoming.” That easygoing energy made him a joy to work with, even in the midst of grueling, physically demanding scenes.

Wrestling’s Stigma — and Hogan’s Big Risk

At the time, Hogan’s decision to appear in Rocky III came at a steep personal cost. He later revealed he had been fired from his wrestling job for taking the role, as industry attitudes back then discouraged crossover between wrestling and film.

“When he was playing Thunderlips, he hadn’t quite got his act together,” Stallone said, noting Hogan was still shaping his voice and persona. “So what you’re seeing there is the really young Hulk Hogan at the very inception of his career as an actor — and, of course, a superstar in wrestling.”

Protecting His Co-Star

Stallone also shared a behind-the-scenes detail that left a lasting impression: Hogan’s commitment to protecting him during their wrestling sequences.

“People say, ‘Oh, wrestling’s not real’ — gravity is real,” Stallone explained. “You have a guy 300 pounds landing on you, but he’s breaking the fall. So he’s actually hurting himself to protect you. And that’s what a lot of people don’t see. He was so incredibly concerned about my welfare and not his own.”

Remarkably, Stallone emerged from filming without injury, something he attributes to Hogan’s skill and consideration.

A Lasting Tribute

Following Hogan’s death, Stallone paid tribute on Instagram, writing: “I had the pleasure of meeting this brilliant personality and showman when he was 26 years old. He was absolutely wonderful and his amazing skill made Rocky III incredibly special. My heart breaks.”

Speaking to TMZ, Stallone reiterated that Hogan had been “a force to be reckoned with” even before he reached the height of his fame. “He just came in, and you just knew this guy had a glow about him… He was enthusiastic, and we got him at the very beginning.”

For Stallone, the memory of that young, charismatic, and fiercely generous Hogan remains as powerful as the character he brought to life on screen.