Lou Ferrigno was arguably, during his time, the second most popular bodybuilder in the world only behind Arnold Schwarzenegger. The rivalry between the two was legendary and was even turned into a 1977 documentary titled Pumping Iron. Beyond the world of bodybuilding, Schwarzenegger captured the imagination of the audience through his action movies on the silver screen. Ferrigno on the other hand, won fans over with his performance as The Incredible Hulk in the CBS television series of the same name.
Early on in his career, Ferrigno even trained with Schwarzenegger and was regarded by many as the next big thing in the world of professional bodybuilding. Unfortunately for him, this was right in the middle of Schwarzenegger’s stranglehold on Mr. Olympia contests.
Did Lou Ferrigno ever win Mr. Olympia?
Lou Ferrigno’s first shot at Mr. Olympia contests was all the way back in 1974. He ended at second place behind the Austrian Oak. He fell a place lower, dropping to third in his second attempt a year later in 1975. Schwarzenegger announced his retirement from professional bodybuilding after winning his 6th consecutive Mr. Olympia.
Many saw this as Ferrigno’s opportunity to claim the number one sport. However, Ferrigno, who won the IFBB Mr. Universe in 1973 and 1974, came to the conclusion that his victories were not paying him enough and much to the surprise of many, moved on from the sport as well/
In 1977, he was cast as the Hulk in The Incredible Hulk and portrayed the role until 1981. He also starred in three The Incredible Hulk TV movies.
Ferrigno eventually returned to professional bodybuilding in the early 1990’s competing in 1992 and 1993 Mr. Olympia contests. Much to his dismay, he placed 12th and 10th, ending his career without ever winning the prestigious bodybuilding contest.
Ferrigno almost joined Vince McMahon’s World Bodybuilding Federation
Before he returned to the IFBB, Ferrigno was almost lured by Vince McMahon to join his newly created World Bodybuilding Federation. The Hulk actor was offered a massive $1,000,000 contract spread over two years and when that failed, he offered him first a $700,000 contract, and according to several reports at the time, another offer in excess of $1 million!
According to late bodybuilding journalist Peter McGough, Ferrigno had issues with Vince McMahon’s insistence that WBF own the rights to their athlete’s merchandise. Joe Weider, the co-founder of International Federation of BodyBuilding and Fitness (IFBB), only offered half of what Vince McMahon offered in cash but allowed him the freedom to maintain the rights to his merchandise as well as film roles.
Despite this there was fear that Ferrigno may be swayed by the Wrestling giant. In the end, Ferrigno chose IFBB over WBF claiming that he always saw the IFBB co-founder as a father figure and would never compete in any other organization.
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