Lou Ferrigno | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Ferrigno in 2025 | |
| Born | Louis Jude Ferrigno (1951-11-09)November 9, 1951 (age 74) New York City, U.S. |
| Occupations | |
| Years active | 1971–present |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 3, includingLou Jr. |
| Professional bodybuilder | |
| Best statistics | |
| Height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)[1] |
| Weight | 315 lb (143 kg)[1] |
| Professional (Pro) career | |
| Pro-debut |
|
| Best win |
|
| Active | Retired 1996 |
Louis Jude Ferrigno Sr. (/fəˈrɪɡnoʊ/fə-RIG-noh,Italian:[ferˈriɲɲo]; born November 9, 1951)[2] is an American actor and retiredprofessionalbodybuilder. He won anIFBB Mr. America title and two consecutive IFBB Mr. Universe titles, and appeared in the documentary filmPumping Iron (1977). As an actor, he is best known for histitle role in theCBS television seriesThe 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 asHercules (1983) andSinbad of the Seven Seas (1989), and as himself in thesitcomThe King of Queens and the 2009 comedyI Love You, Man.
Ferrigno was born inBrooklyn, New York, to Victoria and Matt Ferrigno, a policelieutenant.[3] He is of Italian, specificallyCampanian, descent, with his mother hailing fromConca dei Marini and his paternal grandparents fromAmalfi andCava de' Tirreni.[4] 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.[5][6] Hearing loss and hisspeech impediment caused Ferrigno to be bullied by peers during his childhood who called him "deaf" and "mute". He began reading comic books such asHulk andSpider-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,"[7] 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".[8]
Ferrigno started weight training at the age of 13, citing bodybuilder andHercules starSteve Reeves as one of his role models.[9] Because he could not afford to buy weights, he made his own using a broomstick and pails which he partially filled with cement.[9] Ferrigno attended St. Athanasius Grammar School[10] andBrooklyn Technical High School, where he learned metal working.[10]
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 inColumbus, Ohio, and trained withArnold Schwarzenegger. In 1974, he came in second on his first attempt at theMr. Olympia competition. He came in third the following year, and his attempt to beat Schwarzenegger was the subject of the 1977 documentaryPumping Iron. The documentary made Ferrigno famous.[11]
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.[12]
Following this, Ferrigno left the competition circuit for many years, a period that included a brief stint as a defensive lineman for theToronto Argonauts in theCanadian Football League. He had never played football, and was cut after two games.[13] Ferrigno left the world of Canadian football after he broke the legs of a fellow player during a scrimmage.[14]
Ferrigno, weighed by during competition at 275 lb (125 kg) in 1973 and 285 lb (129 kg) in 1976.
Ferrigno competed in the first annualWorld's Strongest Man competitionin 1977, where he finished fourth in a field of eight competitors.[15]
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,[16] where his attempt to beat Robbie Robinson and Boyer Coe was the subject of the 1996documentaryStand Tall. After this, he retired from competition.[17]
In 1977, Ferrigno was cast asthe Hulk inThe Incredible Hulk. Though they were rarely on camera together,[9] Ferrigno andBill Bixby — who played the Hulk's "normal" alterego — became 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.[18] 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 threeThe Incredible HulkTV movies.
In November 1978 and again in May 1979 Ferrigno appeared inBattle of the Network Stars.[19][20] He portrayed the titular character in the 1983 science fantasy adventure filmHercules, and received mixed-to-negative reviews for his performance. He was, however, praised by Marylynn Uricchio, a film critic for thePittsburgh Post-Gazette,[21] and Andy Brack ofCharleston City Paper.[22] Gary Allen Smith, author of the bookEpic 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".[23] In 2014,Decider named Ferrigno the tenth "hottest onscreen Hercules ever".[24]
In 1983, Ferrigno appeared as John Six in the short-lived medical dramaTrauma Center.[25]
.webp)
Ferrigno played himself during intermittent guest appearances on theCBSsitcomThe 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 filmHulk and the 2008 filmThe Incredible Hulk, in which he also voiced the Hulk.[26] 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 otherMarvel Cinematic Universe films, uncredited.[9][27][28] He voiced the Hulk until 2015'sAvengers: Age of Ultron.[29][30] Mark Ruffalo has voiced Hulk in subsequent films.[31]
He trainedMichael Jackson intermittently beginning in the early 1990s, and in 2009, he helped Jackson get into shape for a planned series ofconcerts in London,[32] which were ultimately cancelled due toJackson's death.
Ferrigno took part in aSmosh sketch, titled "I Love Lou Ferrigno", in which he is tracked down by one of Smosh's members,Anthony Padilla, inHollywood. The skit ends with Ferrigno knocking Padilla unconscious, in response toIan Hecox's claim that Padilla stole Ferrigno'sButterfinger.
Ferrigno has his own line of fitness equipment called Ferrigno Fitness. In January 2009, he provided equipment toThe Price Is Right for use as aOne Bid prize, and demonstrated the equipment himself.[33]
In 2016, Ferrigno appeared as a playable Lego version of himself inLego Marvel's Avengers.[34]
In February 2006, Ferrigno was sworn in as aLos Angeles County, California, reservesheriff's deputy, Level II.[35] In November 2010,Maricopa County, Arizona sheriffJoe Arpaio swore Ferrigno in as a member of a volunteer sheriff posse, which also included actorsSteven Seagal andPeter Lupus, in order to help controlillegal immigration in thePhoenix Valley area.[36]
Ferrigno was a contestant onseason five of theNBC reality television seriesThe Celebrity Apprentice, which premiered in February 2012. He appeared on the program in order to raise money for his charity, theMuscular 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 aviral video to promoteO-Cedar's ProMist Spray Mop, placing him in competition with actressTia 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.[37] He was fired in episode nine, "Ad Hawk", which involved creating a 60-second commercial for Entertainment.com.[38]
In June 2012, Ferrigno was sworn in as a reserve deputy to theSan Luis Obispo County, California,Sheriff's Department.[39] 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 theDelaware County, Ohio, Sheriff's Department.[40]
In 2017, Ferrigno was inducted into theInternational Sports Hall of Fame.[41]
In May 2018, PresidentDonald Trump appointed Ferrigno to be a member of hisCouncil on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition.[42]
Due toear infections he had soon after birth, Ferrigno lost 75 to 80% of his hearing and has been usinghearing aids since the age of five.[43] Ferrigno says hishearing 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."[5] Later in life, he received acochlear implant which restored much of his hearing.[7]
Ferrigno married Susan Groff in 1978, divorcing a year later. On May 3, 1980, he marriedpsychotherapist 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 inDays of Our Lives and has also appeared in theNBC seriesWindfall, the television filmWithin, and theE! reality television seriesFilthy Rich: Cattle Drive. Louis Jr. was alinebacker for theUniversity of Southern California Trojans football team[44] and later became an actor, with recurring roles in TV series such asS.W.A.T.[45] andOuter Banks.[46]
Ferrigno has filed suit against his younger brother, Andrew, on two occasions over the use of the name Ferrigno in business ventures.[47][48]
 | This section of abiography of a living persondoes notinclude anyreferences or sources. Please help by addingreliable sources. Contentious material about living people that is unsourced or poorly sourcedmust be removed immediately. Find sources: "Lou Ferrigno" – news ·newspapers ·books ·scholar ·JSTOR(August 2020) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
.jpg)
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Pumping Iron | Himself | Docudrama |
| 1983 | Hercules | Hercules | |
| The Seven Magnificent Gladiators | Han | ||
| 1985 | The Adventures of Hercules | Hercules | Sequel toHercules |
| 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 | |
| 1993 | Return to Frogtown | Ranger John Jones | |
| 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)[27] |
| 2014 | Moms' Night Out | Cameo | |
| 2015 | Avengers: Age of Ultron | Voice collaboration (uncredited)[27] | |
| 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 | Voice collaboration (uncredited)[51] | |
| 2019 | Ring Ring | Mr. Daniels |
| 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"; uncredited[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"[52] |
| 2016 | We Bare Bears | Paul | Episode: "Yard Sale" |
| 2022 | The Offer | Lenny Montana | Miniseries |
| Year | Title | Voice role | Notes | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Lego Marvel's Avengers | Himself / Hulk (Lou Ferrigno) | Can transform into the Hulk | .[34] |
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
