Wrestling legend
"Rowdy" Roddy Piper has died at the age of 61. Piper, born Roderick
George Toombs, died from cardiac arrest in his sleep at his home in
Hollywood on Thursday night but was discovered on Friday.
Piper was a wrestling icon -- one of the biggest stars in the WWE back
in the '80s, and even wrestled in "Wrestlemania I" back in
1985 ... squaring off against Hulk Hogan and Mr. T.
Roddy's rep tells us, "I am devastated at this news. Rod was a good
friend as well as a client and one of the most generous, sincere and authentic
people I have ever known. This is a true loss to us all."
Piper had been diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2006, but last
November he said he was cancer free. A family source tells us he was
"cancer free" at the time of his death.
A family member tells us, "Our family is saddened by the sudden
passing of our father and beloved husband, Roderick Toombs aka Rowdy Roddy
Piper."
Roddy was admitted into the WWE Hall of Fame back in 2005 and was one of
the top 50 villains in the history of the WWE.
Piper had a long relationship with WWE -- last wrestling back in 2008
... but appeared on various WWE shows up until 2014.
Roddy is survived by his wife Kitty and their 4 kids -- including 3
daughters and son Colton who's pursuing a career in professional
wrestling.
The death is especially shocking considering we just spoke to him on
Friday and asked his opinion about the Hulk Hogan scandal.
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