Rowdy Roddy Piper Dead at Age 61

Jul 31, 2015

Roddy Piper – real name Roderick George Toombs – passed away around noon today from cardiac arrest in his sleep at his home in Hollywood, CA, TMZ is reporting.

From TMZ:

‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper Dies at 61 From Cardiac Arrest

Piper — born Roderick George Toombs — died from cardiac arrest in his sleep at his home in Hollywood at around noon 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 Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2006, but last November he said he was cancer free.

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.

Death