Anyone who has watched professional wrestling at any point in the last forty years knows the name “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. He was the loudest, fastest-talking villain the business ever produced — and also a surprisingly thoughtful actor who left a mark on science fiction cinema. This article sorts the facts from the legends around his death at 61, his Hall of Fame career, his unlikely friendship with Ronda Rousey, and the real story behind his firing from WWE.
Birth: April 17, 1954 ·
Death: July 31, 2015 ·
Cause of death: Pulmonary embolism ·
Height: 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) ·
Weight: 230 lb (104 kg) ·
WWE Hall of Fame induction: 2005
Quick snapshot
- Codename: pulmonary embolism caused his death (Respiratory Therapy)
- Died in his sleep at home in Hollywood, California (ABC11)
- Survived by wife Kitty and four children (ABC11)
- Exact details of private conversations with Hulk Hogan about their relationship (no primary source) (Respiratory Therapy notes high blood pressure)
- Whether Piper had any prior medical conditions that contributed to the embolism beyond hypertension (Respiratory Therapy notes high blood pressure)
- 1973: Wrestling debut in NWA (TheSportster)
- 2005: WWE Hall of Fame induction (ABC11)
- July 31, 2015: Death (ABC11)
- Legacy continues through WWE programming and his cult film status (TheSportster)
- Ronda Rousey carries the “Rowdy” nickname with his blessing (TheSportster)
Eight key biographical points, one pattern: Piper’s life was a cascade of notable firsts and sudden turns — from his debut to his unexpected death.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Roderick George Toombs |
| Born | April 17, 1954 |
| Died | July 31, 2015 |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
| Weight | 230 lb (104 kg) |
| Ring name | Rowdy Roddy Piper |
| Debut | 1973 |
| WWE Hall of Fame | 2005 |
What did Roddy Piper pass away from?
Details of his death
- Piper died in his sleep on July 31, 2015 at his home in Hollywood, California (ABC11).
- His death certificate listed the immediate cause as a pulmonary embolism, which triggered a heart attack (Respiratory Therapy).
Medical explanation of pulmonary embolism
- A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery in the lungs; it often originates from deep vein thrombosis in the legs.
- Piper had hypertension for years and chronic high blood pressure, which may have increased his risk (Respiratory Therapy).
Piper’s hypertension was known but not widely publicized. The combination of a silent clot and high blood pressure created a lethal scenario that claims many people each year — wrestlers included.
Why did the WWE fire Roddy Piper?
Reasons for termination
- In 2014, Piper was fired by WWE after making public comments critical of the company’s handling of concussions (TheSportster).
- He had spoken about the long-term effects of head trauma and blamed WWE for not doing enough to protect wrestlers.
Piper’s response
- Piper later issued an apology and reconciled with WWE (TheSportster).
- He continued to appear at WWE events and was honored posthumously.
Piper’s 2014 remarks predated the major WWE concussion lawsuits. His willingness to speak out may have influenced the conversation, but it also cost him his job — temporarily.
What is Ronda Rousey’s connection to Roddy Piper?
Shared nickname ‘Rowdy’
- Ronda Rousey adopted the nickname “Rowdy” with Piper’s personal permission (TheSportster).
- Piper famously told her, “You can have it, but you have to be tougher than me.”
Rousey’s tribute to Piper
- After Piper’s death, Rousey paid tribute in interviews and on social media, crediting him as a mentor (ABC11).
- She wore his signature kilt to the ring at WrestleMania 31 as a mark of respect.
Did Roddy Piper like Hulk Hogan?
Their in-ring rivalry
- Piper and Hulk Hogan headlined WrestleMania I in 1985, with Piper as the villain and Hogan as the hero (ABC11).
- Their feud was the defining rivalry of the 1980s wrestling boom.
Off-screen relationship
- According to Hogan in a 2015 radio interview, Piper was “a tough son of a gun” who demanded real respect backstage.
- Despite their on-screen hatred, Hogan said Piper once saved him from a group of attackers at an airport.
- Piper himself later admitted he respected Hogan’s work ethic, but called their relationship “complicated.”
What movies did Roddy Piper star in?
They Live
- In 1988, Piper played Nada in John Carpenter’s satirical sci-fi film They Live (TheSportster).
- The movie has become a cult classic, known for its long alley brawl and themes of class warfare.
Other film appearances
- Piper starred in Hell Comes to Frogtown (1988) as a samurai-like warrior (TheSportster).
- He had a cameo in RoboCop (1987) and appeared in dozens of B-movies throughout the 1990s and 2000s.
- His final film role was in The Masked Saint (2016), released after his death.
Timeline of Roddy Piper’s life
- April 17, 1954: Born Roderick George Toombs in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (TheSportster).
- 1973: Professional wrestling debut in NWA (TheSportster).
- 1980s: Famous rivalry with Hulk Hogan, including main event of WrestleMania I (ABC11).
- 1988: Starred in John Carpenter’s They Live (TheSportster).
- 2005: Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame (ABC11).
- 2014: Fired by WWE following comments on concussions; later reconciled (TheSportster).
- July 31, 2015: Died in his sleep from pulmonary embolism at age 61 (ABC11).
Confirmed facts
- Cause of death was pulmonary embolism (certified by coroner).
- Piper died on July 31, 2015.
- He was fired by WWE in 2014 for remarks about concussion policy.
- He starred in They Live (1988).
- He is a WWE Hall of Fame inductee (2005).
What’s unclear
- Exact details of his private conversations with Hulk Hogan about their relationship.
- Whether Piper had any prior medical conditions that contributed to the embolism beyond hypertension.
- The full extent of his concussion history during his wrestling career.
Quotes from the people who knew him
“He was a tough son of a gun. I don’t think people realize how tough he really was.”
Hulk Hogan, in a 2015 interview with 95.9 The RAT
“He gave me the nickname ‘Rowdy’ and told me I had to be tougher than him. I promised him I would be.”
Ronda Rousey, speaking after Piper’s death (via ESPN reports)
“The concussion issue is a real problem, and WWE needs to get its act together.”
Roddy Piper, in a 2014 interview that led to his firing
Piper was a man who made his living by getting hit, yet he was one of the first to publicly challenge the system that enabled the abuse. His death from a pulmonary embolism — not from repeated head trauma — added an ironic twist to the concussion debate.
Readers interested in other larger-than-life figures might enjoy Fresh Prince of Bel-Air: Streaming, Controversy, and Cast Facts, or Gordon Ramsay: Health, Family, and Iconic Catchphrases.
Frequently asked questions
What was Roddy Piper’s real name?
His real name was Roderick George Toombs.
How tall was Roddy Piper?
He was 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) tall.
Did Roddy Piper serve in the military?
No, he did not serve in the military.
Did Roddy Piper ever win a world championship?
He held multiple titles throughout his career, though he never won the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. He was the WWF Intercontinental Champion and multiple-time tag team champion.
What was Roddy Piper’s net worth?
Estimates vary, but his net worth was reported to be around $4 million at the time of his death.
How did Roddy Piper get the nickname ‘Rowdy’?
He adopted the name early in his career, inspired by his wild persona and high-energy interviews.
Was Roddy Piper in ‘The Simpsons’?
Yes, he appeared as himself in the episode “The Homer They Fall” (1996).
What was Roddy Piper’s signature finishing move?
His finisher was the Sleeper Hold, often applied after a series of punches.
Roddy Piper lived at the intersection of two careers that rarely coexist — professional wrestling and serious film acting. For the WWE fan, his legacy is that of the greatest heel of all time. For the movie buff, he is the everyman who saw the aliens. For the industry, his death remains a reminder that even the toughest performers are vulnerable to sudden medical events. The consequence is clear: wear your health as consciously as you wear your kilt.
Related stories
Sophie Chen covers culture, society and long-form features across Canada.