WWE legend “Rowdy” Roddy Piper is dead at the age of sixty-one. Damn, sixty seems too young to die. My dad’s 70 and he’s still kicking it. (Yeah, he had me later in life). Anyway, the wrestler/actor (he had a role in John Carpenter’s They Live, among other sci-fi/horror films) died of an apparent heart attack at his home in Hollywood. Here’s what his agent reported, via Variety:
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.”
Buddy and fellow wrestler Hulk Hogan sent out a tweet:
Totally lost for words,RIP,Roddy one,and God bless your family,I love you my brother,only love HH
— Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) August 1, 2015
The main players in the WWE family (which Hulk Hogan is no longer a part of) tweeted their condolences as well.
Piper’s Facebook page simply reads:
“Our family is saddened by the sudden passing of our father and beloved husband, Roderick Toombs aka Rowdy Roddy Piper. Please respect our family’s privacy during this difficult period.”
Understood. Rest in peace, Mr. Piper.
awwww…poor Roddy. I love They Live! It’s such a fun, cheesy, awesome late night on a Saturday what’s on tv kinda movie!