Where Are They Now? The Over The Top Cast: 5 Stars, Recent 2025 Updates, And The Bull Hurley Tragedy

Released in 1987, the sports drama Over the Top remains a cult classic, a quintessential 80s film that combined the grit of a road trip movie with the high-stakes drama of a world-class arm-wrestling tournament. Starring Sylvester Stallone as Lincoln "Linc" Hawk, a truck driver fighting to win back his estranged son and the World Armwrestling Championship, the film is an unforgettable entry in the Cannon Films library.

As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, fans are curious about the fate of the cast that brought this underdog story to life. While some stars, like Stallone, continue to dominate Hollywood, others have tragically passed away, and one former child star has found a surprising new career path. Here is the definitive, fresh update on the main cast of Over the Top.

The Complete Over the Top Main Cast: Biography and Current Status (2025)

The core cast of Over the Top featured a mix of established Hollywood veterans, a rising child star, and a professional arm-wrestling champion, creating a unique ensemble that defined the film's tone.

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• Sylvester Stallone (Lincoln "Linc" Hawk): The protagonist, a truck driver and arm wrestler trying to reconnect with his son, Michael.
• Robert Loggia (Jason Cutler): The wealthy and cold grandfather of Michael, determined to keep Linc away from his grandson.
• Susan Blakely (Christina Hawk): Linc's estranged wife and Michael's mother, whose illness triggers the events of the movie.
• David Mendenhall (Michael "Mike" Hawk): Linc's son, initially resentful but eventually supportive of his father.
• Rick Zumwalt (Bob "Bull" Hurley): Linc's main rival, the intimidating, reigning world arm-wrestling champion.
• Terry Funk (Ruker): One of the arm wrestlers Linc defeats on his way to the championship.

Sylvester Stallone (Lincoln "Linc" Hawk): The Action Icon's 2025 Domination

Of all the cast members, Sylvester Stallone's career has, predictably, remained the most active and high-profile. Now in his late 70s, "Sly" has shown no signs of slowing down, with his career enjoying a significant resurgence in recent years, proving his enduring star power.

Recent & Upcoming Projects (2024-2025):

• Levon's Trade (2025): Stallone is confirmed to star in this action thriller, based on a novel by Chuck Dixon, with the film set for a 2025 release.
• ALARUM (2025): Another major action film, *ALARUM*, is slated for 2025, continuing Stallone's commitment to the genre.
• The Expendables 4: Though his role was smaller, he reprised his iconic character Barney Ross in the 2023 sequel, demonstrating his commitment to the franchise he created.
• Reality TV & Streaming: Stallone has also embraced the streaming world, starring in the Paramount+ series Tulsa King (2022) and the reality show The Family Stallone (2023), offering fans an intimate look at his personal life.

Robert Loggia (Jason Cutler) and Rick Zumwalt (Bob "Bull" Hurley): The Tragic Fates

Two of the film's most memorable and imposing figures, Robert Loggia and Rick Zumwalt, have since passed away, leaving behind powerful cinematic legacies.

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Robert Loggia (Jason Cutler)

The veteran character actor, known for his gravelly voice and roles in films like Scarface and Big, played the cold, manipulative grandfather, Jason Cutler. Loggia had an exceptionally long and distinguished career that spanned over six decades.

• Death: Robert Loggia passed away on December 4, 2015, at the age of 85.
• Cause: His death was due to complications from Alzheimer's disease, a battle he had fought for five years.

Rick Zumwalt (Bob "Bull" Hurley)

Zumwalt, who played the intimidating world champion "Bull" Hurley, was a legitimate, world-class professional arm wrestler, which added significant authenticity to the film's climactic scenes. His death was a shock to the arm-wrestling community and fans of the movie.

• Death: Rick Zumwalt tragically died on March 19, 2003, at the age of 51.
• Cause: His cause of death was a heart attack in Desert Hot Springs, California.

David Mendenhall (Michael "Mike" Hawk): The Child Star's Voice-Acting Career

David Mendenhall, who played the pivotal role of Linc's son Michael, was a prominent child actor in the 1980s. After Over the Top, his career took a fascinating turn, moving away from on-screen roles to focus heavily on voice acting.

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• Current Career Focus: Mendenhall is a successful voice actor. His most famous voice role is Daniel Witwicky in the Transformers Generation 1 animated series and The Transformers: The Movie (1986).
• Recent Activity: In a fresh update for 2024, Mendenhall was an announced guest at TFcon Los Angeles, a major Transformers fan convention, confirming his continued engagement with his voice acting legacy.
• Other Roles: He also provided voices for animated series like Rainbow Brite and The Berenstain Bears.

Susan Blakely (Christina Hawk): Focused on Family and Select Projects

Susan Blakely played Christina Hawk, the catalyst for the entire plot. Blakely was a Golden Globe winner for her role in the 1976 miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man and has maintained a steady, if selective, career in film and television.

• Later Career: Her later career included roles in popular television series. Her last major TV appearance was a guest role in the hit drama This is Us (2017).
• Recent Work: More recently, Blakely appeared in the 2024 short film Between The Lines, showing she continues to take on interesting projects.
• Personal Life: Blakely was married to screenwriter and publicist Steve Jaffe for 39 years until his death in 2020. She has largely kept her private life out of the spotlight since.

Topical Authority: The Real Arm Wrestlers and the Iconic Soundtrack

The enduring appeal of Over the Top is not just about the main cast, but also the authentic elements that made the arm-wrestling scenes feel real and the soundtrack that defined the 80s action genre.

The Authenticity of the Arm-Wrestling Tournament

To ensure the arm-wrestling scenes were believable, director Menahem Golan and the production team hired and featured dozens of legitimate, world-class professional arm wrestlers.

• John Brzenk: Widely considered the greatest professional arm wrestler of all time, Brzenk was a major influence on the character of Lincoln Hawk. He was present at the tournament and is featured in the film.
• Other Pros: Alongside Rick Zumwalt, other professional arm wrestlers who appeared in the film include Cleve Dean, Carl Adams, and Allen Graf, lending the final championship a genuine, high-stakes feel.

The Classic Rock Soundtrack That Defined the Movie

The film's soundtrack, produced by Giorgio Moroder, is a major reason for its cult status, featuring an array of classic rock anthems that perfectly captured the "Rocky-meets-Road-Warrior" vibe.

• "Winner Takes It All" by Sammy Hagar: The theme song, played during the final, triumphant arm-wrestling match, is arguably the most famous track from the movie.
• "In This Country" by Robin Zander: The song, which became a patriotic anthem for some, was sung by Cheap Trick's Robin Zander on the US version of the soundtrack, though international versions featured Eddie Money.
• Frank Stallone: Sylvester's brother, Frank Stallone, also contributed to the soundtrack with the song "Bad Nite," continuing a long tradition of collaborating on his brother's films.

The Legacy of Cannon Films and Menahem Golan

Over the Top is also a significant piece of cinema history because of its connection to The Cannon Group, the production company run by Israeli cousins Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus.

• The Director: Menahem Golan, who also directed the film, was known for his ambitious, often over-the-top, and mid-budget action films.
• The Budget: The film was one of Cannon's most expensive projects at the time, with a budget rumored to be around $25 million, a massive investment for the studio. The film's commercial performance was considered a disappointment, but its legacy as a unique 80s action-drama is undeniable.
• Topical Influence: The movie's focus on a niche sport like arm wrestling paved the way for other unique sports dramas and cemented the trope of the underdog athlete fighting for a personal cause.

Will There Be an Over the Top 2?

Despite the film's enduring popularity and the trend of 80s reboots and sequels, there has been no official announcement regarding a sequel to Over the Top. While fan concepts and speculation about a potential Over the Top 2 or a modern reboot continue to circulate online, Sylvester Stallone and the original producers have not confirmed any active development. The movie remains a standalone classic, forever remembered for its iconic arm-wrestling scenes and the powerful bond between a father and his son.