Jimmy Hart Opens Up After Sudden Death of Hulk Hogan: “We Thought He Was Doing So Well”
Jimmy Hart Breaks Silence on Hulk Hogan’s Sudden Passing: “It Just Hit So Fast”
The wrestling world is still in mourning following the shocking death of Hulk Hogan, who passed away from cardiac arrest on July 24, 2025, just one day before Friday’s WWE SmackDown aired a tribute in his honor. Among those most devastated by the loss is Hogan’s longtime friend and former manager, Jimmy “The Mouth of the South” Hart, who shared emotional memories and a haunting final phone call with People this weekend.
“I called [Hogan] on Wednesday night,” Hart recalled. “And then Thursday morning is when everything took place… It just happened overnight. The day before, everything was so positive.”
Hart, like many in Hogan’s inner circle, believed the WWE Hall of Famer was on the road to recovery after undergoing neck surgery in May. Just two days before Hogan’s sudden passing, Hart described him as “great” and “phenomenal”—making the news all the more devastating.
“It just hits so fast. It was like, ‘Oh my God.’ We thought he was doing so well,” Hart continued. “We didn’t go visit him at home or the hospital because we didn’t want to risk giving him an infection. Everyone was being cautious.”
Their friendship was more than just business. Hart often visited Hogan’s Clearwater, Florida home, where the two would watch wrestling together every week—tuning in to WWE on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays. They also enjoyed karaoke nights at Hogan’s Hangout, the family-run bar operated with his son Nick.
The last time the two legends appeared on-screen together was during the Netflix premiere of WWE Raw earlier this year, where Hogan promoted his Real American Beer. Just months later, Hart would be in attendance for Friday night’s SmackDown on July 25, where WWE aired a heartfelt tribute package honoring Hogan’s legacy as a 12-time world champion and pop culture icon.
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The tragic passing of Hulk Hogan marks the end of an era for professional wrestling. That Jimmy Hart which was one of Hogan’s closest friends—spoke with him just hours before his death makes this loss all the more surreal. Hogan wasn’t just a megastar; he was a mentor, an entertainer, and the embodiment of wrestling’s golden age. As fans around the world mourn, one thing is clear: there will never be another Hulkamania.
