Lou Ferrigno
Template:Short description Template:Redirect Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox person
Louis Jude Ferrigno Sr. (Template:IPAc-en; born November 9, 1951)<ref>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" Template:Webarchive, IFBB.com, Accessed January 1, 2007). The results were reported in the July 1973 issue of Muscle magazine ("Lou Ferigno, Mr Universe, 1973" Template:Webarchive. IFBB.com); see also "History of Mr. Olympia: Lou Ferrigno" Template:Webarchive.</ref> is an American actor and retired professional bodybuilder. He won an IFBB Mr. America title and two consecutive IFBB Mr. Universe titles, and appeared in the documentary film Pumping Iron (1977). As an actor, he is best known for his title role in the CBS television series The Incredible Hulk (1977–1982) and vocally reprising the role in subsequent animated and computer-generated incarnations. He has also appeared in European-produced fantasy-adventures such as Hercules (1983) and Sinbad of the Seven Seas (1989), and as himself in the sitcom The King of Queens and the 2009 comedy I Love You, Man.
Early lifeEdit
Ferrigno was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Victoria and Matt Ferrigno, a police lieutenant.<ref>Jim Schmaltz (February 2004). Matt Ferrigno: 1925-2003. Flex. Accessed August 1, 2008.</ref> He is of Italian descent. Soon after he was born, Ferrigno says he believes he had a series of ear infections and lost 75% to 80% of his hearing, though his condition was not diagnosed until he was three years old.<ref name=Disaboom>Mabe, Catherine "Lou Ferrigno: Living, Acting, and Bodybuilding with Hearing Loss" Template:Webarchive. Disaboom. Retrieved February 8, 2012.</ref><ref>Doughterty, Margot (May 16, 1988). "Green with Indignation, Lou Ferrigno Is Back in Bulk as the Incredible Hulk" Template:Webarchive. People. Vol. 29, No. 19.</ref> Hearing loss and his speech impediment caused Ferrigno to be bullied by peers during his childhood who called him "deaf" and "mute". He began reading comic books such as Hulk and Spider-Man at this time, later saying "I was obsessed with power", and "I wanted to be strong enough so that I could be able to defend myself",<ref name=":0">Template:Cite news</ref> which eventually made him take up bodybuilding: "My father rejected me because I was not the perfect son, so I fantasized about being like The Hulk and that’s what led to bodybuilding".<ref>‘I thought I looked beautiful’ – how we made The Incredible Hulk</ref>
Ferrigno started weight training at the age of 13, citing bodybuilder and Hercules star Steve Reeves as one of his role models.<ref name=RetFan1>Template:Cite journal</ref> Because he could not afford to buy weights, he made his own using a broomstick and pails which he partially filled with cement.<ref name=RetFan1/> Ferrigno attended St. Athanasius Grammar School<ref name=BrooklynEagle>Parker, Vernon. "On This Day in History: November 9That Incredible Hulk" Template:Webarchive. Brooklyn Eagle. November 9, 2011</ref> and Brooklyn Technical High School, where he learned metal working.<ref name=BrooklynEagle/>
Bodybuilding careerEdit
After graduating from high school in 1969, Ferrigno won his first major title, IFBB Mr. America. Four years later, he won the title IFBB Mr. Universe. Early in his career he lived in Columbus, Ohio, and trained with Arnold Schwarzenegger. In 1974, he came in second on his first attempt at the Mr. Olympia competition. He came in third the following year, and his attempt to beat Schwarzenegger was the subject of the 1977 documentary Pumping Iron. The documentary made Ferrigno famous.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
These victories, however, did not provide enough income for him to earn a living. His first paying job was as a $10-an-hour sheet metal worker in a Brooklyn factory, where he worked for three years. He did not enjoy the dangerous work, and left after a friend and co-worker accidentally cut off his own hand.<ref name="OfficialSite">"About" Template:Webarchive at LouFerrigno.com (official site)</ref>
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.<ref>Grech, Ron. "Lou Ferrigno to Hulk up at the Mac" Template:Webarchive. Daily Press. May 2011. Accessed September 19, 2011.</ref> Ferrigno left the world of Canadian football after he broke the legs of a fellow player during a scrimmage.<ref>Inman, David. The TV Encyclopedia. New York: Perigree, 1991. Print.</ref>
Ferrigno, who stands at almost Template:Convert,<ref name=BBP/> weighed in during competition at Template:Convert in 1975 and Template:Convert in 1992.<ref name=BBP/>
Ferrigno competed in the first annual World's Strongest Man competition in 1977, where he finished fourth in a field of eight competitors.<ref>Bonnie Siegler. Fame & Fortune: Lou Ferrigno Template:Webarchive. Accessed August 1, 2008.</ref>
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,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Acting careerEdit
1977–2008Edit
In 1977, Ferrigno was cast as the Hulk in The Incredible Hulk. Though they were rarely on camera together,<ref name=RetFan1/> Ferrigno and Template:Nowrapwho played the Hulk's "normal" alter Template:Nowrapbecame friends; Ferrigno has described Bixby as a "mentor" and "father figure" who took him under his wing. Ferrigno also singles out the instances in which Bixby directed Ferrigno in some episodes as particularly memorable.<ref>Murphy, Matt. "WWLA: "The Incredible Hulk" Retrospective with Lou Ferrigno" Template:Webarchive. Comic Book Resources. March 16, 2008</ref> 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 November 1978 and again in May 1979 Ferrigno appeared in Battle of the Network Stars.<ref>Template:Citation</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He portrayed the titular character in the 1983 science fantasy adventure film Hercules, and received mixed-to-negative reviews for his performance. He was, however, praised by Marylynn Uricchio, a film critic for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Andy Brack of Charleston City Paper.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Gary Allen Smith, author of the book Epic Films, complimented Ferrigno's physical strength and aesthetics in the film: "At 6'5" and 262 pounds, he is a massive and thoroughly convincing Hercules".<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In 2014, Decider named Ferrigno the tenth "hottest onscreen Hercules ever".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In 1983, Ferrigno appeared as John Six in the short-lived medical drama Trauma Center.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
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, enduring their jokes about him being the Hulk.
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.<ref name=dh>Jeff Otto (May 27, 2008). Special Report: "Hulk" Edit Bay Visit. Dark Horizons. Accessed May 27, 2008.</ref> In the latter film, Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) bribes him with a pizza to gain entry into a university building. He voiced the Hulk in other Marvel Cinematic Universe films, uncredited.<ref name=RetFan1/><ref name="avengers">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="IGN.com">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He voiced the Hulk until 2015's Avengers: Age of Ultron.<ref name="nukethefridge">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Mark Ruffalo has voiced Hulk in subsequent films.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2009–presentEdit
He trained Michael Jackson intermittently beginning in the early 1990s, and in 2009, he helped Jackson get into shape for a planned series of concerts in London,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> which were ultimately cancelled due to Jackson's death.
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 has his own line of fitness equipment called Ferrigno Fitness. In January 2009, he provided equipment to The Price Is Right for use as a One Bid prize, and demonstrated the equipment himself.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In 2016, Ferrigno appeared as a playable Lego version of himself in Lego Marvel's Avengers.<ref name="behindthevoiceactors_com">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Non-acting endeavorsEdit
In February 2006, Ferrigno was sworn in as a Los Angeles County, California, reserve sheriff's deputy, Level II.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In November 2010, Maricopa County, Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio swore Ferrigno in as a member of a volunteer sheriff posse, which also included actors Steven Seagal and Peter Lupus, in order to help control illegal immigration in the Phoenix Valley area.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Ferrigno was a contestant on season five of the NBC reality television series The Celebrity Apprentice, which premiered in February 2012. He appeared on the program in order to raise money for his charity, the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Ferrigno was Team Unanimous' project manager for the task depicted in the fifth episode, "I'm Going to Mop the Floor With You," which was to create a viral video to promote O-Cedar's ProMist Spray Mop, placing him in competition with actress Tia Carrere, the project manager of the women's team, Forte. In addition to the usual $20,000 awarded to the charity of the project manager of the winning team, O-Cedar pledged an additional $30,000 for that task. Team Unanimous' video—in which Ferrigno appeared dancing while mopping—won the task, winning the $50,000 for Muscular Dystrophy Association.<ref>Template:Cite episode</ref> He was fired in episode nine, "Ad Hawk", which involved creating a 60-second commercial for Entertainment.com.<ref>Template:Cite episode</ref>
In June 2012, Ferrigno was sworn in as a reserve deputy to the San Luis Obispo County, California, Sheriff's Department.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> There he completed his level I law enforcement academy, bringing his training up to full peace officer status. In September 2013, Ferrigno was sworn in as a special deputy to the Delaware County, Ohio, Sheriff's Department.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In 2017, Ferrigno was inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In May 2018, President Donald Trump appointed Ferrigno to be a member of his Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Personal lifeEdit
Due to ear infections he had soon after birth, Ferrigno lost 75 to 80% of his hearing and has been using hearing aids since the age of five.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Ferrigno says his hearing loss helped shape his sense of determination in his youth, saying, "I think that if I wasn't hard of hearing I wouldn't be where I am now. Early on, as a youngster it was difficult, but I'm not ashamed to talk about it because many people have misconceptions about hearing loss; like who has hearing loss and what it's like not to hear, so I do talk about it. I think my hearing loss helped create a determination within me to be all that I can be, and gave me a certain strength of character too. Anytime I do a movie or a TV show, I make them aware of my hearing loss at the beginning, and that makes it much easier for all of us to communicate and get the job done."<ref name=Disaboom/> Later in life, he received a cochlear implant which restored much of his hearing.<ref name=":0" />
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; she 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 film 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.<ref>Player Bio: Lou Ferrigno Jr. Template:Webarchive USCTrojans.cstv.com. Accessed January 1, 2007.</ref> His son, Lou Ferrigno Jr is currently playing a recurring role in the TV series S.W.A.T., airing on CBS.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Ferrigno has filed suit against his younger brother, Andrew, on two occasions over the use of the name Ferrigno in business ventures.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
CompetitionsEdit
- 1971: Pro Mr. America – WBBG, Teen 1st<ref name="schwarz">History of Mr. Olympia: Lou Ferrigno Template:Webarchive. Schwarzenegger.it Accessed January 1, 2007.</ref>
- 1971: Teen Mr. America – AAU, 4th, Most Muscular 5th
- 1972: Pro Mr. America – WBBG, 2nd
- 1972: NABBA Mr. Universe, Tall 2nd
- 1973: IFBB Mr. America, Overall Winner<ref name="schwarz"/>
- 1973: IFBB Mr. Universe, Tall 1st, Overall Winner<ref name="schwarz"/><ref name="ifbb">"History of the Men's World Amateur Championships Template:Webarchive". IFBB.com. Accessed January 1, 2007.</ref>
- 1974: IFBB Mr. International<ref name="schwarz"/>
- 1974: IFBB Mr. Universe, Tall 1st, Overall Winner<ref name="schwarz"/><ref name="ifbb"/>
- 1974 Mr. Olympia, Heavyweight 2nd
- 1975 Mr. Olympia, Heavyweight 3rd place<ref name="schwarz"/>
- 1992 Mr. Olympia, 12th<ref name="schwarz"/>
- 1993 Mr. Olympia, 10th<ref name="schwarz"/>
- 1994: Olympia Masters, 2nd<ref name="schwarz"/>
Magazine coversEdit
Template:BLP unreferenced section
- Muscle & Fitness (March 1982, September 1982, March 1983, January 1986, June 1987, July 1988, April 1989, March 1993, March 1994, April 1996)
- Flex (November 1983, August 1985, August 1989, August 1992, October 1992, June 1993, March 1994, November 1994, November 2017)
- Muscle Builder (May 1974, July 1974, April 1977, September 1977, July 1979, March 1980, May 1980)
- Iron Man (July 1973, August 1988, October 1992, November 1994, April 2009)
- Bodybuilding Lifestyle (December 1991, May 1992)
- Muscle Mag International (March 1979, December 1983, November 1994)
- Muscular Development (February 1981, October 1992, April 2009)
- Muscle Training Illustrated (May 1972)
- Natural Bodybuilding (February 1983)
- Strength & Health (November 1983)
FilmographyEdit
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FilmEdit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Pumping Iron | Himself | Docudrama |
| 1983 | Hercules | Hercules | |
| The Seven Magnificent Gladiators | Han | ||
| 1985 | The Adventures of Hercules | Hercules | Sequel to Hercules |
| 1988 | Desert Warrior | Zerak | |
| 1989 | Sinbad of the Seven Seas | Sinbad | |
| Cage | Billy Thomas | ||
| All's Fair | Klaus | ||
| Liberty & Bash | Bash | ||
| 1993 | And God Spoke | Cain | |
| 1994 | Cage II | Billy Thomas | |
| 1996 | Stand Tall | Himself | Docudrama |
| 1998 | The Godson | Bugsy | |
| 2003 | Hulk | Security Guard | |
| 2008 | The Incredible Hulk | Security Guard Hulk |
Cameo Voice collaboration |
| 2009 | I Love You, Man | Himself | |
| 2012 | Liberator | Ed Migliocetti/Liberator | Short film |
| 2012 | The Avengers | Hulk | Voice collaboration (uncredited)<ref name=avengers/> |
| 2014 | Moms' Night Out | Cameo | |
| 2015 | Avengers: Age of Ultron | Voice collaboration (uncredited)<ref name=avengers/> | |
| The Scorpion King 4: Quest for Power | Skizurra | Direct-to-video | |
| Avengers Grimm | Iron John | ||
| 2017 | Instant Death | John Bradley | Lead Role |
| Thor: Ragnarok | Hulk | citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
| 2019 | Ring Ring | Mr. Daniels |
TelevisionEdit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | The Incredible Hulk | Hulk | Pilot movie | |
| World's Strongest Man | Himself / competitor | 4th place | ||
| 1978–82 | The Incredible Hulk | Hulk | 82 episodes | |
| 1979 | Billy | Cameo | ||
| 1980 | Mister Rogers' Neighborhood | Himself | 2 episodes | |
| 1983 | Trauma Center | John Six | 13 episodes | |
| The Fall Guy | John Six | Episode: "Trauma" | ||
| 1984 | Matt Houston | Steve Otto | Episode: "Blood Ties" | |
| 1985 | Night Court | The Klondike Butcher | Episode: "The Battling Bailiff" | |
| Amazing Stories | Hulk | Episode: "Remote Control Man"; uncreditedTemplate:Citation needed | ||
| 1988 | The Incredible Hulk Returns | Movie | ||
| 1989 | The Trial of the Incredible Hulk | |||
| 1990 | The Death of the Incredible Hulk | |||
| 1996–1997 | The Incredible Hulk | Voice role | ||
| 2000–07 | The King of Queens | Himself | 20 episodes | |
| 2002 | Raw Iron: The Making of 'Pumping Iron | Himself | Documentary | |
| 2004 | My Wife and Kids | Big Guy | Episode "Illegal Smile" | |
| Reno 911! | Deputy Cletus Senior | Episode: "Department Investigation: Part 2" | ||
| 2010 | Chuck | Sofia Stepanova's bodyguard | Episode: "Chuck Versus the Suitcase" | |
| Sonny with a Chance | Himself | Episode: "My Two Chads" | ||
| 2010–16 | Adventure Time | Billy / Bobby | 4 episodes | |
| 2012 | Celebrity Apprentice | Himself | 8 episodes (9th fired) | |
| Next Great Baker | Guest judge | Episode: "Cake Powers, Activate!" | ||
| 2014 | Star Trek Continues | Zaminhon | Web series; episode: "Lolani"<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation | CitationClass=web
}}</ref> |
| 2016 | We Bare Bears | Paul | Episode: "Yard Sale" | |
| 2022 | The Offer | Lenny Montana | Miniseries |
Video gameEdit
| Year | Title | Voice role | Notes | Template:Abbr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Lego Marvel's Avengers | Harley Keener / Hulk | Can transform into the Hulk | .<ref name="behindthevoiceactors_com" /> |
See alsoEdit
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
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