Lou Ferrigno

Louis Jude “Lou” Ferrigno was born in Brooklyn, New York. When Lou was young, he suffered a series of ear infections and lost 75-80% of his hearing. When he was 19 years old, he started weight training. Ferrigno attended St. Athanasius Grammar School and Brooklyn Technical High School.

After graduating from high school, Lou won his first titles as IFBBMr. America and IFBB Mr. Universe. At the beginning of his career he lived in Columbus and trained with Arnold Schwarzenegger. On his first attempt at the Mr. Olympia competition, he came in second place. The following year he came in third place. A documentary, Pumping Iron, was made about this event and this made Ferrigno famous.

In 1977, Lou was cast as the Hulk in The Incredible Hulk. He was cast opposite to Bill Bixby whom he referred to as a mentor and a father figure. In 2000 Ferrigno played himself on the CBS sitcom, The King of Queens, and continued on with the role until 2007.

He made cameo appearances as a security guard in the 2003 Hulk film and the 2008 The Incredible Hulk film. Ferrigno’s voice was once again utilized (in composite) for the Hulk in the 2012 film The Avengers and the upcoming sequel Avengers: Age of Ultron. Ferrigno appeared as himself in the film comedy I Love You, Man.