10 Fascinating WWE Backstage Facts About Hulk Hogan

4. Hulk Hogan Turned Down The Leading Role In 'The Wrestler'

Hulk Hogan invents time travel
Warner Bros

Hulk Hogan was an accomplished actor when, graciously allowing the next generation of stars to take over the wrestling world, he ventured to Hollywood.  

In Mr. Nanny, a contemplative portrait of the American family, Hogan displayed an unexpected sensitivity as the man who administered much-needed life lessons to an absentee father. Sadly for Hogan, this life-affirming tale went against the grungy, nihilistic Gen X zeitgeist. Its profound message was lost, ignored. However, much like The Thing and Once Upon A Time In America, Mr. Nanny has since been re-appraised as a masterpiece in critical circles. 

(Hogan was actually nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal of Sean Armstrong, but, deciding it wasn't fair on the other actors, withdrew from consideration. He was just a grateful visitor in their world.)

This formed a pattern throughout Hogan's career. Despite its brilliance - The Secret Agent Club only masqueraded as a spy flick spoof, obscuring a potent political message about gun ownership - this overlooked classic was actually too ahead of the times. It's a coincidence, no, that the first Austin Powers movie was released just a year later? 

Perhaps scarred by his experience as a thespian that went unappreciated in his own time, Hogan - despite director Darren Aronofsky claiming to know nothing of this - turned down the role of Randy 'The Ram' Robinson in The Wrestler, feeling that he didn't deserve it. 

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Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!