Piper – born Roderick George Toombs – passed away from natural causes at a home in Hollywood.
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Known as “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, he was as famous for his wrestling matches as he was for his trash-talking of competitors, including the equally over-the-top Hulk Hogan.
Piper rose to fame as one of wrestling’s biggest superstars in the ’80s, and like Hulk Hogan he used his popularity to transition to film and television, most notably in John Carpenter’s horror / sci-fi classic They Live.
“Rod passed peacefully in his sleep last night”, a statement from his representative, Jay Schachter, read. “This is a true loss to us all”, Piper’s rep told TMZ.
Piper was diagnosed with the form of cancer in 2006, but revealed he was cancer free in November. 2014.
Legendary wrestling champion “Rowdy” Roddy Piper has reportedly died at the age of 61.
The wrestling icon was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005. Continue to read on for more details about his sudden passing.
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Piper is survived by his wife Kitty and their four children daughters Anastacia Shea, Ariel Teal, and Falon Danika, and son Colton Baird, as well as one grandchild.
