RIP: Rowdy Roddy Piper, WWE legend and They Live star passes away at 61

Last Updated on July 22, 2021

Damn it all to hell. And today was such a good day, too.

"Rowdy" Roddy Piper, WWE legend, star of the John Carpenter classic THEY LIVE, kicker of asses, and chewer of bubblegum, has passed away of cardiac arrest in his sleep at the age of 61.

Born Roderick George Toombs in Saskatchewan, Canada, he joined the WWF (now the WWE) in 1984, playing up his Scottish ancestry and earning himself the nickname "Rowdy" with his antics and quick wit. 

He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 and named one of the organizations 50 top villains, earning himself legions of fans across the globe with his highly publicized bouts against the likes of Hulk Hogan and Mr. T. Of course, in the hearts of horror fans everywhere he will always be remembered as the mysterious drifter "Nada" from Carpenter's anti-Reaganomics cult classic.

Carpenter himself shared his grief with this heartbreaking tweet:

Well, so much for enjoying Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp this weekend. Or anything. Ever again. I hope you all find a way to honor Roddy in the way you deem best, whether it be cracking open your THEY LIVE Blu-Ray for the hundredth time, dusting off those old WWE tapes, or breaking your jaw on the biggest wad of Dubble Bubble you've ever chewed.

Source: TMZ, Variety

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