Jump to content

Lou Ferrigno

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Joethebarber (talk | contribs) at 20:48, 17 November 2011 (→Bodybuilding). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

"Ferrigno" redirects here. For the Italian wine grape also known as Ferrigno, see Cesanese Comune.
Lou Ferrigno
Ferrigno at the New York Comic Convention in Manhattan, October 10, 2010.
Born
Louis Jude Ferrigno

(1951-11-09) November 9, 1951 (age 73)
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Occupation(s)Bodybuilder, actor, personal trainer
Years active1971–present
Spouse(s)Susan Groff (1978-1979)
Carla Green (1980-present)

Louis Jude "Lou" Ferrigno (born November 9, 1951[1]) is an American actor, fitness trainer/consultant, and retired professional bodybuilder. As a bodybuilder, Ferrigno won an IFBB Mr. America title and two consecutive IFBB Mr. Universe titles, and appeared in the bodybuilding documentary Pumping Iron. As an actor, he is best known for portraying the title role in the CBS television series The Incredible Hulk. He has also appeared in European-produced fantasy-adventures such as Sinbad of the Seven Seas and Hercules, and as himself in the sitcom The King of Queens and the 2009 comedy I Love You, Man.

Early life

Lou Ferrigno was born in Brooklyn, New York to Victoria and Matt Ferrigno, an Italian American police lieutenant.[2]

As an infant, Lou suffered an ear infection and lost some of his hearing.[3] Ferrigno started weight training at age 13, citing body builder and Hercules star Steve Reeves as one of his role models.[4] He was also a fan of the Hercules films that starred Reeves—and would later play Hercules as well. Ferrigno's other personal heroes as a child were Spider-Man and the Hulk.[5]

Career

Bodybuilding

After graduating from Bishop Amat Memorial High School in 1969, Ferrigno won his first major titles, IFBB Mr. America and IFBB Mr. Universe, four years later. Early in his career he lived in Columbus and trained with Arnold Schwarzenegger. In 1974, he came in second on his first attempt at the Mr. Olympia competition. He then came third the following year, and his attempt to beat Arnold Schwarzenegger was the subject of the 1975 documentary Pumping Iron. Following this, Ferrigno left the competition circuit for many years, a period that included a brief stint as a defensive lineman for the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League. He had never played football, and was cut after two games.[6]

During competition, Lou Ferrigno weighed 285 lb (130 kg) in 1975,[3] and 316 lb (143 kg) in 1992; at 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)[3]

Ferrigno competed in the first World's Strongest Man competition in 1977, where he finished fourth in a field of eight competitors.[7]

In the early 1990s, Ferrigno returned to bodybuilding, competing for the 1992 and 1993 Mr. Olympia titles. Finishing 12th and 10th, respectively, he then turned to the 1994 Masters Olympia, where his attempt to beat Robbie Robinson and Boyer Coe was the subject of the 1996 documentary Stand Tall. After this, he retired from competition.

Acting

File:Ferrigno as Hulk.jpg
From the 1978 The Incredible Hulk episode "Married"

In 1977, Ferrigno was cast in the title role opposite Bill Bixby as the Hulk in The Incredible Hulk. Although Ferrigno and Bixby did not share lines on camera (except for one episode, "King of the Beach"), the two were friends, with Ferrigno describing Bixby as a "mentor" and "father figure" who took Ferrigno under his wing. Ferrigno also singles out the instances in which Bixby directed Ferrigno in some episodes as particularly memorable.[8] Ferrigno continued playing the Hulk role until 1981—although the last two episodes were not broadcast until May 1982. Later, he and Bixby co-starred in three The Incredible Hulk TV movies.

In 1983, Ferrigno appeared as John Six on the short lived medical drama Trauma Center.[9]

Ferrigno played himself during intermittent guest appearances on the CBS sitcom, The King of Queens, beginning in 2000 and continuing until the program's conclusion in 2007. He and his wife Carla were depicted as the main characters' next-door neighbors. Because of his role as the title character on The Incredible Hulk, he is often the target of Hulk jokes by Doug and his friends.

He made cameo appearances as a security guard in both the 2003 film Hulk and the 2008 film The Incredible Hulk, in which he also voiced the Hulk.[10]

Ferrigno at the 2007 Scream Awards.

Ferrigno appeared as himself in the 2009 feature film comedy I Love You, Man.

2009–present

Ferrigno had trained Michael Jackson on and off since the early 1990s, and in 2009, he had been helping Jackson get into shape for a planned series of concerts in London.[11]

Ferrigno took part in a Smosh video, titled I love Lou Ferrigno; in which he is tracked down by one of Smosh's members, Anthony, in Hollywood. The skit ends with Ferrigno knocking Anthony unconscious, in response to Ian's claim that Anthony stole Ferrigno's Butterfinger.

Ferrigno stated in an interview that he would be involved in the 2012 The Avengers movie.[12][13]

In February 2006, Ferrigno was sworn in as a Los Angeles County, California reserve sheriff's deputy.[14]

Ferrigno sells his own line of fitness equipment through his company, Ferrigno Fitness. In a January 2009 taping, Ferrigno Fitness provided equipment to The Price Is Right, hosted by Drew Carey for use as a One Bid prize, and demonstrated the equipment himself.[episode needed]

In 2010, Ferrigno appeared in "My Two Chads", an episode of Sonny with a Chance, appearing as himself in an episode of the fictional series MacKenzie Falls.[citation needed]

In November 2010, Ferrigno was sworn in as a member of a Maricopa County, Arizona volunteer sheriff posse, which also includes actors Steven Seagal and Peter Lupus, in order to help control illegal immigration in the Phoenix Valley area.[15]

Personal life

Ferrigno sees his loss of hearing as influential towards bodybuilding and his life: "...if I hadn't lost some of my hearing, I wouldn't be where I am now. It forced me to maximize my own potential. I had to be better than the average person to succeed."[3]

Ferrigno married Susan Groff in 1978, divorcing a year later. On May 3, 1980, he married psychotherapist Carla Green, who then also began serving as his manager and later became a personal trainer. They have three children, Shanna, born 1981; Louis, Jr., born 1984; and Brent, born 1990. Shanna has a recurring role as Nurse Janice in Days of our Lives, and appeared in the NBC series Windfall, as well as the television movie Within, and in 2005 she appeared in the E! reality television series, Filthy Rich: Cattle Drive. Louis, Jr. was a linebacker for the University of Southern California Trojans football team.[16]

Lou Ferrigno
professional bodybuilder
Personal info
Born (1951-11-09) November 9, 1951 (age 73)
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Best statistics
Height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)[3]
Weight316 lb (143 kg)[3]
Professional (Pro) career
Pro-debut
  • NABBA Mr. Universe
  • 1972
Best win
  • IFBB Mr. Universe
  • 1973-1974, two years consecutively
ActiveRetired 1995

Competitions

Magazine covers

Total: 37

  • 10 Muscle & Fitness ('82, '83, '86, '87, '88, '89, '93, '94)
  • 8 Flex ('83, '85, '89, '92, '93, '94)
  • 7 Muscle Builder ('74, '77, '79, '80)
  • 4 Iron Man ('73, '88, '92, '94)
  • 2 Bodybuilding Lifestyle ('91, '92)
  • 2 Muscle Mag International ('83, '94)
  • 2 Muscular Development ('81, '09)
  • 1 Muscle Training Illustrated ('72)
  • 1 Natural Bodybuilding ('83)
  • 1 Strength & Health ('83)

Filmography

File:Lou.JPG
Ferrigno's handprints at Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park.
Year Title Role Notes
1977 Pumping Iron Himself Docudrama
The Incredible Hulk The Hulk TV pilot movie for the series The Incredible Hulk
1978–1982 The Incredible Hulk
1980 Mister Rogers' Neighborhood Himself
1983 Hercules Hercules
Trauma Center John Six
The Fall Guy Six Episode "Trauma"
1985 The Adventures of Hercules Hercules Sequel to Hercules
The Seven Magnificent Gladiators Han
1987 Desert Warrior Zerak
1988 Family Double Dare Himself Celebrity contestant
The Incredible Hulk Returns The Hulk TV movie
1989 Sinbad of the Seven Seas Sinbad
The Trial of the Incredible Hulk The Hulk TV movie
Cage Billy Thomas
Liberty & Bash Bash
1990 The Death of the Incredible Hulk The Hulk TV movie
1994 Cage II Billy Thomas
1996 The Incredible Hulk The Hulk Voice
Stand Tall Himself Docudrama
1997 Home Improvement
1998 "The Godson" Bugsy
2000-2007 The King of Queens Himself
2002 Raw Iron: The Making of 'Pumping Iron
2003 Hulk Security guard Cameo with Stan Lee
2004 My Wife and Kids Gay convict Episode "Illegal Smile"
Reno 911! Deputy Cletus Senior Episode "Department Investigation: Part 2"
2008 The Incredible Hulk The Hulk / Security guard Voice / Cameo
2009 I Love You, Man Himself
2010 Chuck Sofia Stepanova's bodyguard Episode "Chuck Versus the Suitcase"
Sonny with a Chance Himself Episode "My Two Chads"
2012 The Avengers The Hulk Voice[12][13]

See also

References

  1. ^ Although Ferrigno's official site does not list a year of birth, it says he was 21 when he won the first of two successive Mr. Universe titles, which occurred in 1973 ("History of the Men's World Amateur Championships", IFBB.com, Accessed 2007-01-01). The results were reported in the July 1973 issue of Muscle magazine ("Lou Ferigno, Mr Universe, 1973". IFBB.com); See also "History of Mr. Olympia: Lou Ferrigno"
  2. ^ Jim Schmaltz (February 2004). Matt Ferrigno: 1925-2003. Flex. Accessed 2008-08-01.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Biography. LouFerrigno.com. Version of February 20, 2006 available at archive.org. Accessed 2007-06-23.
  4. ^ David Robson. The Incredible Hulk Returns: Lou Ferrigno Speaks About His Role & Acting Life!. Bodybuilding.com. Accessed 2008-08-01.
  5. ^ The Incredible Lou.
  6. ^ Grech, Ron. "Lou Ferrigno to Hulk up at the Mac". Daily Press. May 2011. Accessed 2011-09-19.
  7. ^ Bonnie Siegler. Fame & Fortune: Lou Ferrigno. Accessed 2008-08-01.
  8. ^ Murphy, Matt. "WWLA: "The Incredible Hulk" Retrospective with Lou Ferrigno". Comic Book Resources. March 16, 2008
  9. ^ The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present. Ballantine Books. 2003. p. 1227. ISBN 0-345-45542-8.
  10. ^ Jeff Otto (May 27, 2008). Special Report: "Hulk" Edit Bay Visit. Dark Horizons. Accessed 2008-05-27.
  11. ^ Smith, Michael David. "Lou Ferrigno: Michael Jackson Was Energetic and Happy in Training". AOL News. Retrieved 2009-06-19.
  12. ^ a b Nuke The Fridge Interviews Lou Ferrigno (December 16, 2008). YouTube. Accessed 2009-05-16.
  13. ^ a b Ron Messer (2010-10-10). "NY Comic Con: Lou Ferrigno Interview – Opens Up About THE AVENGERS, Mark Ruffalo as The Hulk, and CHUCK". Collider. Retrieved 2010-10-10.
  14. ^ Lou Ferrigno becomes reserve LA County sheriff's deputy (February 13, 2006) AP. Accessed 2008-08-01.
  15. ^ "Lou 'The Hulk' Ferrigno Joins Posse Fighting Illegal Immigration" (November 18, 2010). Fox News/Associated Press. Accessed 2011-01-02.
  16. ^ Player Bio: Lou Ferrigno Jr. USCTrojans.cstv.com. Accessed 2007-01-01.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i History of Mr. Olympia: Lou Ferrigno. Schwarzenegger.it Accessed 2007-01-01.
  18. ^ a b "History of the Men's World Amateur Championships". IFBB.com. Accessed 2007-01-01.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lou Ferrigno.

Template:Italian American Sports Hall of Fame

Template:Persondata

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Lou_Ferrigno&oldid=461168838"