When Hollywood meets the squared circle, things don’t always go according to script. Character actor Kurt Fuller learned this lesson the hard way while filming the 1989 wrestling flick No Holds Barred alongside Hulk Hogan. What was supposed to be a simple scene nearly turned into a medical emergency that left Fuller bleeding and fighting for breath.
The Scene That Went Horribly Wrong
During a recent appearance on Wrestling Life with Ben Veal, Fuller pulled back the curtain on his terrifying experience working with the Hulkster. The scene in question called for Hogan’s character to force a check into Fuller’s mouth while delivering the memorable line about not being around when the check cleared.
Fuller entered the scene with typical Hollywood expectations – fake it till you make it, with safety protocols firmly in place. Unfortunately, nobody apparently briefed Hogan on standard film industry practices.
“He’s supposed to shove the check down my mouth, throat, and then I’m supposed to swallow it. His line is, ‘I won’t be around when this check clears, if you know what I’m saying.’ So I figured, okay Hulk, you’re not really supposed to shove it down my throat.”
When Wrestling Meets Method Acting
What happened next shocked the veteran actor to his core. Instead of simulating the action for the cameras, Hogan went full wrestling mode and literally jammed the check down Fuller’s throat. The Hulkster’s fingers scraped against Fuller’s throat lining, causing immediate bleeding and nearly choking the actor.
The aftermath was equally disturbing. When Fuller coughed up the check and confronted Hogan about the dangerous stunt, the wrestling icon’s response was disturbingly casual.
“Oh yes, yes he is—I guess. He shoved it down my throat, his fingers scraped the back of my throat and it started bleeding. I almost died. I had to cough it up. And he goes, ‘Oh sorry brother, sorry brother, that’s the way we do it.'”
Amateur Hour on a Professional Set
Fuller’s incredulous reaction speaks volumes about the culture clash between wrestling and mainstream filmmaking. The actor couldn’t believe that Hogan thought his approach was standard operating procedure, questioning whether anyone on set understood basic safety protocols.
The situation deteriorated further when Fuller developed a throat infection from Hogan’s fingernails. What started as a routine filming day turned into a medical nightmare that left lasting physical and professional scars.
“I said, ‘Really? You really shove the check down somebody’s throat?’ I don’t think so. Could we check? Would you want to? Is there anybody here— you know, it was like real amateur hour. Then I developed an infection because of his fingernails on my throat. It was bad for a little while.”
The Lasting Impact on Fuller’s Career Perspective
Beyond the physical trauma, the incident fundamentally changed Fuller’s view of the entertainment industry. The respected character actor, who has appeared in countless films and television shows, admitted that Hogan’s reckless behavior damaged his faith in collaborative filmmaking.
This revelation sheds new light on the challenges faced by No Holds Barred, a film that was already fighting an uphill battle to legitimize wrestling stars in Hollywood. While the movie became a cult classic among wrestling fans, behind-the-scenes stories like Fuller’s suggest the production faced serious professionalism issues.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of how different worlds can collide catastrophically when proper communication and safety measures aren’t established. Fuller’s harrowing experience makes you wonder what other untold stories exist from wrestling’s early attempts to conquer Tinseltown – and whether modern crossover stars have learned from these dangerous mistakes.
