Wrestling Legend 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper Dies at Age 61

(CBS SF/AP) – "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, who trash talked his way to the main event of the first WrestleMania and later found movie stardom, has died. He was 61.

The WWE says Piper died Friday, July 31st but provided no additional details. In 2006, he battled Hodgkin's lymphoma, but later said he had beaten the cancer. In recent months, Piper was active in the charity Stand For The Silent, an organization aimed at honoring the victims of bullying and bringing awareness to the issue.

Piper, born Roderick Toombs, was the second WWE Hall of Famer to die this summer following the June death of Dusty Rhodes.

Piper became a household name because of his rivalry with Hulk Hogan, and the involvement of pop star Cyndi Lauper and her friend Captain Lou Albano. The feud led to an MTV special "The War to Settle the Score" in 1985. Piper was cast as the villain, and his disqualification led to Hogan keeping the WWF championship. A brawl at the end of that fight would lead to the first WrestleMania.


 
Related: 5 Things You Didn't Know About Roddy Piper


 
In a statement to TMZ, "I will forever miss him." Hulk Hogan said. "He was my best friend. He is a legend."

Hogan also tweeted:

Another wrestling icon, Ric Flair issued a statement, also through TMZ:

"We've shared the ring, traveled the world, maintained a friendship throughout the ups and downs of the wrestling world, and battled to see who was the better heel. It's almost impossible to express my grief. My condolences to his children and to his wife Kitty." - Ric Flair

Flair also tweeted:

Friends & celebrities remember the late wrestler through social media:

RIP Rowdy Roddy Piper... thank you for blessing me with the opportunity to rumble in the ring with you. Despite being...

Posted by Rob Dyrdek on Friday, July 31, 2015

I'm absolutely devastated. My heart goes out to Roddy's family. R.I.P. my friend. One of the best in every way! We took...

Posted by Ted DiBiase the "Million Dollar Man" on Friday, July 31, 2015

R.I.P. Rowdy Roddy Piper So sad to hear he passed away. LOOK: http://peewee.com/2015/07/31/r-i-p-rowdy-roddy-piper/

Posted by Pee-wee Herman on Friday, July 31, 2015

 

Piper is survived by wife Kitty and their four children.

 

TM and†© Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

 

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