Lou Ferrigno was born on November 9, 1951, in Brooklyn, New York. He is a retired professional bodybuilder and actor best known for his role as the Hulk in the 1978 rendition of “The Incredible Hulk.” As a bodybuilder, Ferrigno won an I.F.B.B. Mr. America title and two consecutive I.F.B.B. Mr. Universe titles. He was so prevalent in the world of bodybuilding that he was also featured in the documentary film “Pumping Iron” in 1977. Ferrigno also appeared in several other films and shows, but he has since retired and he is known for his bodybuilding legacy.
Fast Facts
Full Name:
Louis Jude Ferrigno Sr.
Nickname:
Lou
Birth date:
November 9, 1951
Age:
73
Zodiac Sign:
Scorpio
Height:
6' 5"
Relationship Status:
Married
Net Worth:
$12 million
Background
Louis Jude Ferrigno Sr. was born on November 9, 1951, in Brooklyn, New York, to Victoria and Matt Ferrigno, a police lieutenant and he is of Italian descent. He was bullied for his speech impediment and hearing impairment which wasn’t diagnosed until he was three years old. As a result of the will to defend himself and an obsession for power, he started reading comic books such as “Hulk” and “Spider-Man.” Ferrigno started weight training when he was 13 with Steve Reeves as one of his role models. He made his own weights using a broomstick and pails partially filled with cement because he couldn’t afford to buy weights.
Ferrigno won his first major title, I.F.B.B. Mr. America after graduating high school in 1969 and four years later, he won the title I.F.B.B. Mr. Universe. Ferrigno lived in Columbus, Ohio and trained with Arnold Schwarzenegger. The documentary, “Pumping Iron” made him famous with his attempt at beating Arnold Schwarzenegger for the Mr. Olympia title being the subject of the documentary. In 1977, he competed in his first World’s Strongest Man competition, finishing in fourth place. Ferrigno returned to bodybuilding in the early 1990s and he competed in the 1992 and 1993 Mr. Olympia competitions, finishing in 12th and 10th place respectively. He then went on to compete in the 1994 Masters Olympia. This was captured in the 1996 documentary “Stand Tall” after which he retired from competing.
Ferrigno had a brief acting career in the 1970s and 1980s which included several European-produced fantasy adventures. He also played himself in the CBS sitcom, “The King and Queens” beginning in 2000 until 2007. He was also a personal trainer to the famous American singer, Michael Jackson, beginning in the early 1990s until the death of the singer in 2009.
Career timeline
Louis Ferrigno competes in his first bodybuilding competition.
Ferrigno competes in the World’s Strongest Man competition.
Ferrigno competes in the Masters Olympia competition.
Ferrigno plays the lead role in “The Incredible Hulk.”
Why We Love Lou Ferrigno
His determination
Louis Ferrigno is an incredibly determined person. He tried to beat Arnold Schwarzenegger and competed in various bodybuilding competitions.
His relationship
Ferrigno has an incredibly strong relationship with his wife. They have been married since 1980 and they have three kids together.
His legacy
Ferrigno is one of the first bodybuilders to become an actor. His legacy as the Hulk will forever be printed on the minds of people around the world.
5 Surprising Facts
The voice of Hulk
Louis Ferrigno voiced the character of Hulk until 2015.
He loves dogs
Ferrigno is a self-proclaimed dog lover.
His hearing loss
As a child, Ferrigno had an ear infection that caused him to lose 75 to 80% of his hearing.
The Canadian Football League
Ferrigno played two games in the Canadian Football League though he had no experience.
His diet
Ferrigno's diet includes three to four small meals daily based heavily on healthy proteins along with fruits and vegetables.
Lou Ferrigno FAQs
Who was bigger, Arnold Schwarzenegger or Lou Ferrigno?
Ferrigno was bigger, weighing an enormous 275 pounds compared to Schwarzenegger’s estimated weight of 230 to 240 pounds.
Are Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno friends?
Yes, they are longtime friends.
What does Lou Ferrigno do now?
He is a reserve sheriff’s deputy in Los Angeles County.
Lou Ferrigno’s birthday dates
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2025 | November 9 | Sunday |
2026 | November 9 | Monday |
2027 | November 9 | Tuesday |
2028 | November 9 | Thursday |
2029 | November 9 | Friday |