Sad news to report: Wrestling icon "Rowdy" Roddy Piper was found dead in his home (July 31). He was 61-years-old.

According to TMZ, Piper, who was born Roderick George Toombs, passed away last night (July 30) at his home in Hollywood, California. He reportedly died from cardiac arrest in his sleep.

A rep for Piper said, "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 Hodgkin's Lymphoma back in 2006, but he was cancer-free as recently as last November. His family claims he did not have cancer when he died.

A family member commented on Piper's death, saying, "Our family is saddened by the sudden passing of our father and beloved husband, Roderick Toombs aka Rowdy Roddy Piper."

Piper is survived by his wife and four children, three daughters and a son who plans on becoming a professional wrestler like his father. Piper was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 and has also been named one of the top 50 villains of all time in the WWE. And although he stopped wrestling regularly in 2008, he maintained a strong relationship with the WWE, appearing on different shows through 2014.

In addition to his wrestling career, Piper also starred in They Live, a cult classic horror movie by John Carpenter.

Our thoughts go out to Piper's family during this difficult time.

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