Biography
Who is Lou Ferrigno?
Early life and background
Lou Ferrigno was born in Brooklyn, New York, to parents Victoria and Matt Ferrigno. His father served as a police lieutenant. During his childhood, he suffered from ear infections that caused a significant loss of hearing. This condition was not identified until he turned three. He faced bullying from other children because of his speech and hearing difficulties. Seeking to protect himself, he developed an interest in comic book heroes like the Hulk and Spider-Man. He wanted to become powerful to defend himself against those who mistreated him. He attended St. Athanasius Grammar School and later Brooklyn Technical High School, where he gained skills in metal working. He began training with weights at thirteen. Lacking expensive equipment, he constructed his own weights using cement and broomsticks. He looked up to Hercules star Steve Reeves as a primary inspiration.
Bodybuilding career and competition
After finishing high school in 1969, Lou won the IFBB Mr. America title. He secured the IFBB Mr. Universe title four years later. During his early professional years, he resided in Columbus, Ohio, where he trained alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger. He finished second at the 1974 Mr. Olympia competition and third the following year. His rivalry with Schwarzenegger became the focal point of the 1977 documentary film Pumping Iron. Despite these sporting achievements, bodybuilding did not provide enough income for a full-time living. He spent three years working as a sheet metal worker in a Brooklyn factory. He later left that job after a dangerous accident involving a co-worker. He briefly joined the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League as a defensive lineman, though he left the team after two games. He also competed in the 1977 World's Strongest Man competition, finishing fourth. In the 1990s, he returned to the bodybuilding circuit to compete in the Mr. Olympia and Masters Olympia contests. He retired from professional competition following his appearance in the 1996 documentary Stand Tall.
Acting career and television roles
In 1977, Lou secured the title role in the CBS series The Incredible Hulk. He worked closely with co-star Bill Bixby, whom he considered a mentor and father figure. He performed this role until the show concluded in 1982, and later returned for three television movies. He played the lead in the 1983 film Hercules. Later, he appeared as himself in the long-running sitcom The King of Queens between 2000 and 2007, often appearing with his wife Carla. He contributed to the Marvel Cinematic Universe by providing the voice for the Hulk in films such as the 2008 production The Incredible Hulk and subsequent projects, continuing this work until 2015. He also appeared in the 2003 film Hulk as a security guard.
Law enforcement and other pursuits
Outside of entertainment, he pursued roles in law enforcement. In 2006, he was sworn in as a reserve sheriff's deputy for Los Angeles County. He later served as a volunteer sheriff posse member in Maricopa County, Arizona, and as a reserve deputy in San Luis Obispo County, California. He eventually achieved full peace officer status. In 2013, he became a special deputy in Delaware County, Ohio. He participated in the reality show The Celebrity Apprentice in 2012 to raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. In 2018, he was appointed to the Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition by President Donald Trump. He also markets his own fitness equipment line called Ferrigno Fitness.
Birthday and age
Lou Ferrigno was born on November 9, 1951, which makes Lou 75 years old today. That birthday falls under the Scorpio sign. Lou shares the date with 44 other famous people.
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