The bodybuilder and actor Lou Ferrigno celebrates 73 today
Ferrigno’s transition to acting happened when he was cast as the Hulk in the popular 1977 television series The Incredible Hulk, alongside Bill Bixby as Dr. David Banner
The bodybuilder and actor Lou Ferrigno celebrates 73 today
Louis Jude Ferrigno, better known as Lou Ferrigno, was born on November 9, 1951, in Brooklyn, New York. Diagnosed with partial hearing loss as a child due to a series of ear infections, Ferrigno faced bullying and struggled with self-confidence, turning to weightlifting at a young age to build strength and resilience. This passion would eventually lead him to a career as a bodybuilder and, later, a beloved actor.
Ferrigno’s bodybuilding career took off in his late teens. He won his first major title in 1973, becoming Mr. America, and followed this with two Mr. Universe titles by 1974. Ferrigno’s size and dedication put him on par with other prominent bodybuilders of the time, such as Arnold Schwarzenegger. Their rivalry, captured in the 1977 documentary Pumping Iron, brought both athletes worldwide fame and made Ferrigno a household name.
Afterward, Ferrigno continued competing and training, ultimately leaving a lasting legacy in the fitness world as a bodybuilder and an inspiration to those with disabilities.
Ferrigno’s transition to acting happened when he was cast as the Hulk in the popular 1977 television series The Incredible Hulk, alongside Bill Bixby as Dr. David Banner. Ferrigno’s size and physicality made him the perfect choice for the green-skinned superhero, and the show became a massive hit, running until 1982 and spawning several TV movies. His portrayal of the Hulk became iconic, and he remains closely associated with the character to this day, even voicing the Hulk in several Marvel Cinematic Universe films.
Following The Incredible Hulk, Ferrigno continued to appear in films and TV shows, including Sinbad of the Seven Seas (1989) and Hercules (1983). He also appeared in reality TV series like Celebrity Apprentice and The King of Queens, where he played a fictionalized version of himself. Outside of acting, Ferrigno maintained his dedication to fitness, working as a personal trainer and fitness consultant and starting his own fitness and training business.
In recent years, Ferrigno has remained active in fitness, speaking at conventions, promoting healthy living, and staying physically fit well into his seventies.
Ferrigno married Carla Green in 1980, and the couple has three children. They reside in California, where Ferrigno is deeply involved in his local community. Ferrigno has also served as a part-time sheriff’s deputy in Los Angeles and other locations, a role he has taken seriously as a way to give back to his community.
Watch Lou Ferrigno’s transformation into Hulk, his most famous character
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