Actor Lou Ferrigno makes Tracy’s morning while in town for Wizard World Comic Con
Internationally known bodybuilder and actor, Lou Ferrigno will make an appearance at Wizard World Comic Con in Indianapolis this weekend. He stops by Indy Style first.
Lou Ferrigno was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1951 and as a child suffered from an ear infection that resulted in permanent partial hearing loss. Lou threw himself into athletics (predominantly weightlifting and body building) and at the age of 21 won his first Mr. Universe title. For good measure, he came back and won it again the following year!
He appeared on TV screens as The Incredible Hulk in 1978. With his 6′ 5″, 285 lb. frame, Lou was the biggest professional bodybuilder of the time, and had recently starred in the documentary Pumping Iron, about the 1975 Mr. Olympia contest in South Africa. He successfully auditioned for the part of the green-skinned Goliath, and that is the role with which he is most closely identified.
It was at the time, a very narcissistic sport because you have to be so engaged at working out. You have to be so driven, so focused that you want to be a world champion. It gave me the discipline to do what I want to do today.”
“The Hulk” was a huge ratings success and spawned several telemovies after the initial TV series completed its run. Lou continued to remain busy in films and TV with appearances often centered around his remarkable physique. His films included Hercules (1983), Sinbad of the Seven Seas (1989) and Frogtown II (1992). Lou has additionally guest-starred on several TV shows including The Fall Guy (1981) and The New Mike Hammer (1984) and had a recurring role on The King of Queens (1998). In 1997 he was featured in the dynamic documentary about his sensational return to professional bodybuilding at age 43, Stand Tall (1997). The film detailed how he returned to compete in the Masters category of the Mr. Olympia contest against several familiar bodybuilding foes. In more recent years, he has appeared in several films, including The Misery Brothers (1995), Ping! (2000), From Heaven to Hell (2002) and a cameo as a security guard in the big-budget remake of Hulk (2003).
I was just hoping it would get picked up as a series. I didn’t expect every country in the world loving the character.”
Lou is also a successful author with two books detailing his bodybuilding knowledge, and his life behind the scenes playing the Incredible Hulk on TV in the 1970s, plus he has a popular website frequented by his many fans worldwide.
AND he was gracious enough to fulfill a special request for an adoring fan:
This is the first time I’ve ever done a talk show where I’m signing and giving the host my personal autograph.”
Be sure to stop by the WISH-TV/CW booth at Wizard World.
We’ll be onsite all weekend with our WISH-TV/CW booth taking The Flash and Arrow photos with fans and registering for prize giveaways.
Robb Ellis, will be onstage introducing the weekend’s headliner, William Shatner at 4PM on Saturday.
WISH-TV/CW is hosting the Central Indiana premiere of iZombie on Sunday, 2/15 at 3:30pm. wishtv.com
For more information about the event visit the website: wizardworld.com