Rowdy Roddy Piper Dies at 61
Pro wrestler Rowdy Roddy Piper, known for wearing a kilt in the ring, has died on July 31 at the age of 61.
Born Roderick Toombs in Saskatchewan, Canada, Rowdy Roddy Piper was one of the main stars of the wrestling circuit from the mid-1980s.
During his career, Roddy Piper won more than 30 titles and was inducted into WWE’s Hall of Fame in 2005.
His death comes a month after that of Dusty Rhodes, another Hall of Fame member, aged 69.
The cause of Rowdy Roddy Piper’s death was not revealed. He had successfully fought Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2006.
“Roddy Piper was one of the most entertaining, controversial and bombastic performers ever in WWE,” said chairman Vince McMahon.
He was best known for his rivalry with Hulk Hogan and together they headlined some of wrestling’s biggest events.
Hulk Hogan and his partner, Mr. T, beat Roddy Piper and his partner, “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff at the first WrestleMania at Madison Square Garden in March 1985.
Cast as a villain early in his career, Roddy Piper once cracked a coconut over the head of one of his rivals, Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka.
Roddy Piper gained praise after branching out into acting, starring in the cult 1988 film They Live.
