Roddy Piper (WWE)
'Rowdy' Roddy Piper was one of the greatest talkers of all-time. (WWE)

Legenday professional wrestler Roderick "Roddy" Toombs, better known worldwide as "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, passed away Thursday at the age of 61.

Piper, known as one of the best villains and most charismatic talkers in the history of sports entertainment, was a beloved figure throughout the wrestling community who was also dubbed "Hot Rod" for his fiery persona.

“Roddy Piper was one of the most entertaining, controversial and bombastic performers ever in WWE, beloved by millions of fans around the world,” said WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon in a statement released by the company. “I extend my deepest condolences to his family.”

According to Piper's representative Jay Schachter, who spoke with The Hollywood Reporter, Piper "passed away peacefully in his sleep" Thursday night.

"I am shocked and beyond devastated. He was an amazing man and a true friend," Schachter said. "He was one of the most generous, sincere and authentic people I have ever known. This is a true loss to us all."

Piper, a native of Canada whose in-ring persona played on his Scottish heritage, gained immense popularity after joining what was then known as the World Wrestling Federation in the 1980s.

In his first major stint with the company from 1984-96, Piper headlined multiple WrestleManias, working the main event of the first show and serving as a special guest referee in the main event of the 10th. Like many then-WWF wrestlers, Piper transitioned over to World Championship Wrestling for five years, but he returned to WWE in 2005 when he was named to the company's Hall of Fame.

In 2006, Piper was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma but declared himself clear of the disease in 2007 following months of radiation treament.

Piper worked part-time as a WWE Legend over the last decade, often hosting his popular Piper's Pit interview segment, which he debuted with the company in 1984. An antagonist at heart, let's just say Piper and fire extinguishers were two peas in a pod. Of course, his most famous Piper's Pit segment included Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka and Piper cracking a real coconut over the legend's head.

Feuding with top superstars throughout his career, Piper is best known for his showdown with Hulk Hogan, which eventually involved pop singer Cyndi Lauper, Captain Lou Albano and Mr. T. Piper and Paul Orndorff took on Hogan and Mr. T at WrestleMania I while Lauper, Albano looked on and Muhammad Ali served as a special guest referee. Piper then fought Mr. T one-on-one in a boxing match at the pay-per-view event the following year.

Piper's popularity in the squared circle transitioned to the world of entertainment. He was a guest star on a number of television shows in the 1980s and 1990s including Saturday Night Live; Walker, Texas Ranger; and Highlander. He also appeared in one of Lauper's music videos in the 80s and has dozens of movie roles to his credit. Piper is best known for his turns as "Quick" Rick Roberts in Body Slam (1986) and Nada in They Live (1988).

Though Piper never won the heavyweight title in WWF/WWE or WCW, he held the Intercontinental and World Tag Team championships one time each, partnering with Ric Flair for the latter belt. His sleeper hold finisher was famous the world over, and Piper will go down in wrestling history as one of the greatest of all time.

Piper is the second WWE Hall of Famer to pass away this summer; 'The American Dream' Dusty Rhodes died on June 11 at the age of 69.

Here's how some current and former wrestlers reacted to news of Piper's passing: