Roddy Piper dies at 61

Wrestling legend “Rowdy” Roddy Piper has died aged 61.

It’s been reported by TMZ that Piper died in his sleep following a cardiac arrest.

Piper was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (a form of cancer) in 2006, but last November stated he was cancer-free.

The charismatic performer was born Roderick George Toombs in 1954 in Saskatoon Canada, though due to his Scottish heritage he was billed as coming from Glasgow, Scotland and his entire persona was built around that detail.

Piper was one of the biggest wrestling stars in the 1980s, appearing at numerous WrestleManias and having highly-regarded matches with the likes of Hulk Hogan.

While he was entertaining in the ring, it was on the mic that Roddy truly shone, and his quick wit and apparent lack of an internal censor has led many contemporary stars to name him as their inspiration for getting into the wrestling business. His talk show, Piper’s Pit

Piper also starred in the cult 1988 John Carpenter film, They Live.

Roddy was admitted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.

He is survived by his wife Kitty and their four children; three daughters and son Colton who is pursuing a wrestling career of his own.