Lou Ferrigno facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lou Ferrigno
Ferrigno in 2018
Born	Louis Jude Ferrigno (1951-11-09) November 9, 1951 (age 73) New York City, U.S.
Occupation	Bodybuilder actor personal trainer
Years active	1971–present
Spouse(s)	Susan Groff ​ ​ (m. 1978; div. 1979)​ Carla Green ​ ​ (m. 1980; separated 2023)​
Children	3, including Lou Jr.
Bodybuilder
Personal info
Height	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight	315 lb (143 kg)
Professional career
Pro-debut	NABBA Mr. Universe, 1972
Best win	IFBB Mr. Universe, 1973–1974
Active	Retired 1995

Louis Jude Ferrigno Sr. (born November 9, 1951) is an American actor and retired professional bodybuilder. He is famous for winning major bodybuilding titles like Mr. America and Mr. Universe. Many people know him best for playing the Hulk in the TV show The Incredible Hulk. He also voiced the Hulk in many Marvel movies. Besides acting, Lou Ferrigno has appeared in fantasy adventure films such as Hercules. He has also played himself in TV shows like The King of Queens.

Lou Ferrigno's Early Life

Lou Ferrigno was born in Brooklyn, New York. When he was very young, he had ear infections. These infections caused him to lose most of his hearing. He didn't know about his hearing loss until he was three years old. Because of his hearing problems, other kids sometimes made fun of him. They called him "deaf" or "mute."

During this time, Lou found comfort in comic books. He loved characters like the Hulk and Spider-Man. He later said he wanted to be strong enough to defend himself. This dream led him to start weight training at age 13. He looked up to bodybuilder and actor Steve Reeves. Since he couldn't afford weights, he made his own. He used a broomstick and pails filled with cement. Lou went to St. Athanasius Grammar School and Brooklyn Technical High School.

Lou Ferrigno's Bodybuilding Career

After high school in 1969, Lou Ferrigno won his first big title: IFBB Mr. America. Four years later, he won the IFBB Mr. Universe title. Early in his career, he trained with famous bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger. In 1974, he tried to win the Mr. Olympia competition. He came in second place. The next year, he placed third. His efforts to beat Schwarzenegger were shown in the 1977 movie Pumping Iron. This movie helped make Ferrigno very famous.

Even with his wins, bodybuilding didn't pay enough at first. His first job was working with sheet metal in a factory. He worked there for three years. He didn't like the job because it was dangerous. He left after a friend had an accident at work.

After this, Ferrigno stopped competing in bodybuilding for a while. He even tried playing football for a short time. He played as a defensive lineman for the Toronto Argonauts. He had never played football before. He was cut from the team after only two games.

Lou Ferrigno is very tall, almost 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m). When he competed, he weighed around 285 lb (129 kg) in 1975. By 1992, he weighed 315 lb (143 kg). In 1977, he took part in the first World's Strongest Man competition. He finished fourth among eight competitors.

In the early 1990s, Ferrigno returned to bodybuilding. He competed for the Mr. Olympia titles in 1992 and 1993. He finished 12th and 10th. Then, he competed in the 1994 Masters Olympia. His attempt to win was featured in the 1996 movie Stand Tall. After this, he officially retired from competing.

Lou Ferrigno's Acting Career

Playing the Hulk and Other Roles (1977–2008)

In 1977, Lou Ferrigno got the role of the Hulk in The Incredible Hulk TV series. He and Bill Bixby, who played the Hulk's normal self, became good friends. Ferrigno saw Bixby as a mentor. He continued playing the Hulk until 1981. Later, he and Bixby also starred in three Incredible Hulk TV movies.

Ferrigno's handprints at Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park

In 1983, Ferrigno played the main character in the movie Hercules. Critics praised his strong body in the film. He also appeared as John Six in the TV show Trauma Center. From 2000 to 2007, Ferrigno often appeared as himself on the TV show The King of Queens. He and his wife were shown as the main characters' neighbors.

Lou Ferrigno also made small appearances as a security guard in the movies Hulk (2003) and The Incredible Hulk (2008). In these movies, he also voiced the Hulk. He continued to voice the Hulk in other Marvel Cinematic Universe films until 2015.

Later Career and Other Projects (2009–Present)

Ferrigno at the 2009 Dragon Con Parade

In the early 1990s, Lou Ferrigno trained Michael Jackson for a while. In 2009, he helped Jackson get ready for a series of concerts. These concerts were later canceled.

Ferrigno also appeared in a funny video with the comedy group Smosh. He has his own line of fitness equipment called Ferrigno Fitness. In 2016, he appeared as a playable Lego version of himself in the video game Lego Marvel's Avengers.

Other Things Lou Ferrigno Does

In 2006, Lou Ferrigno became a reserve sheriff's deputy in Los Angeles County. In 2010, he joined a volunteer sheriff posse in Arizona. This group also included actors Steven Seagal and Peter Lupus.

Ferrigno was a contestant on The Celebrity Apprentice in 2012. He joined the show to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. His team won a challenge, earning $50,000 for the charity.

In 2012, he became a reserve deputy for the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Department. He completed training to become a full peace officer. In 2013, he became a special deputy in Delaware County, Ohio.

In 2017, Lou Ferrigno was honored by being put into the International Sports Hall of Fame. In 2018, President Donald Trump asked Ferrigno to join his Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition.

Lou Ferrigno's Personal Life

As a child, Lou Ferrigno lost much of his hearing due to ear infections. He has used hearing aids since he was five years old. Ferrigno believes his hearing loss helped him become determined. He says it gave him strength of character. He always tells people about his hearing loss when he starts a new movie or TV show. This helps everyone communicate better. Later in life, he received a cochlear implant, which greatly improved his hearing.

Lou Ferrigno married Susan Groff in 1978, but they divorced a year later. On May 3, 1980, he married Carla Green. Carla became his manager and later a personal trainer. They have three children: Shanna (born 1981), Louis Jr. (born 1984), and Brent (born 1990). Shanna is an actress, appearing in shows like Days of Our Lives. Louis Jr. played football in college and is now an actor on the TV series S.W.A.T..

Lou Ferrigno's Bodybuilding Competitions

• 1971: Pro Mr. America – WBBG, Teen 1st
• 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
• 1973: IFBB Mr. Universe, Tall 1st, Overall Winner
• 1974: IFBB Mr. International
• 1974: IFBB Mr. Universe, Tall 1st, Overall Winner
• 1974 Mr. Olympia, Heavyweight 2nd
• 1975 Mr. Olympia, Heavyweight 3rd place
• 1992 Mr. Olympia, 12th
• 1993 Mr. Olympia, 10th
• 1994: Olympia Masters, 2nd

Filmography

Film Roles

Television Roles

Video Game Roles

Images for kids

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  Ferrigno in 2018

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  Ferrigno at the 2009 Dragon Con Parade

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  Ferrigno's handprints at Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park

In Spanish: Lou Ferrigno para niños

• List of male professional bodybuilders