If you’re a fan of what many consider to be the ‘Golden Era of Bodybuilding’ the name Lou Ferrigno with instantly spring to mind. Big Loui Ferrigno is one of the most famous bodybuilders from the 70s and 80s, second only perhaps, to a certain Mr Schwarzenegger. Lou Ferrigno not only turned heads as a pro bodybuilder, he also gained quite the following thanks to his TV work as well. But precisely who is Lou Ferrigno, how did he become one of the best bodybuilders in the world, how did his transition into acting go, and how has he stayed so jacked, despite being close to 70 years of age? All of that, and a little more besides, will soon be revealed.
Who is Lou Ferrigno?
Lou Ferrigno is a former pro bodybuilder, an actor, an entrepreneur, a personal trainer, a fitness model, a fitness consultant, and much more besides. Lou Ferrigno has won numerous bodybuilding titles over the years including the IFBB Mr America, and the Mr Universe title twice. He is perhaps best known for his appearance in the 1970s hit ‘mockumentary’ Pumping Iron, directed by George Butler. As well as bodybuilding, he also made a name for himself appearing as the Incredible Hulk in the TV show of the same name. He has also appeared in a number of other TV shows and movies, as well as working as a fitness consultant, a motivational speaker, a personal trainer, and much more besides.
Bodybuilding career
Lou Ferrigno first came to the attention of the general public thanks to his bodybuilding career. Lou began competing in the 1970s, and at the same was considered to be one of the biggest bodybuilders ever. He stood at 6ft 5 and weighed in at around 275-pounds on stage. Nowadays, that’s no big deal in the IFBB but at the time, he was considered enormous. Lou won the Mr America title, as well as the Mr Universe title, before entering the Mr Olympia contest in 1974. He came 2nd in his debut, losing out to Arnold Schwarzenegger. The following year, he was featured in the hit ‘mockumentary’ Pumping Iron, which chronicled the lives of a select few bodybuilders, including Arnold, as they trained for the 1975 Mr Olympia contest. Lou came 3rd that year, but because he was portrayed as the underdog in Pumping Iron, his fanbase grew massively. Amazingly, nearly twenty years later, he once again competed in the Olympia, placing 12th and then 10th. In 1994 he competed in the Olympia Masters, and placed 2nd.
Acting and TV work
Because of his huge stature and impressive physique, Lou was cast to play the Incredible Hulk in the CBS tv show of the same name. He would also land a role playing a version of himself, on the smash-hit comedy the King of Queens, starring Kevin James. He has also appeared in other TV shows, including some non-acting endeavours such as the Celebrity Apprentice.
