From July 26 to 28, the “Corpus Christi Comic Con” comic festival took place in Corpus Christi, USA. Among the invited stars were American actors Rachael Leigh Cook, Chuck Norris, Summer Glau, Adam Baldwin, Lou Diamond Phillips, Sean Maher, and others. WWE fans had the chance to meet Amy Dumas and Mick Foley, while bodybuilding enthusiasts were able to see Lou Ferrigno.
Two icons of the 1980s came together at the comic festival, and martial arts movie star Chuck Norris was photographed with “The Incredible Hulk” Lou Ferrigno. Ferrigno is an American bodybuilder and a regular participant in various American TV shows of the 1980s and 1990s. Lou played the lead role in the series “The Incredible Hulk” (1978–1982) and also voiced the Hulk in all subsequent films. He starred in leading roles in films such as “Sinbad of the Seven Seas,” “Hercules,” “The Seven Magnificent Gladiators,” and several other films and series.
Ferrigno began competing and winning prizes in youth bodybuilding competitions in 1971, and by 1973 and 1974, he had become the overall champion of “Mr. Universe” and “Mr. America.” At that time, his height was 194 cm, and his weight was 130 kg. After his successes in 1974–1975, Ferrigno’s sports career slowly declined. Following his participation in the 1975 “Mr. Olympia” contest, which was featured in the film “Pumping Iron,” Ferrigno left competitive bodybuilding despite having serious chances of becoming the next winner after Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s departure from the scene. The reason was that he was offered the role of the Hulk in the TV series “The Incredible Hulk,” which began filming in 1976. It was impossible to combine the lengthy filming schedule with competition preparation, and Ferrigno saw a television career as more promising. Lou also participated in the “World’s Strongest Man” competition, where he placed fourth.
After an unsuccessful return to major bodybuilding in the early 1990s, he ended his career in 1994 and then started his own business selling gym equipment, earning a decent income. Currently, Ferrigno lives in Arroyo Grande on California’s Central Coast and serves as a reserve deputy sheriff in San Luis Obispo County. At 72, Lou maintains a fit physique.
“Last weekend at Corpus Christi Comic Con, I had the pleasure of meeting an old friend,” Chuck Norris wrote on July 29. “Lou Ferrigno and I have known each other for a long time. Such a kind and wonderful person. It was truly an incredible blessing to meet.” Surely, the same words could be said by the fans who were lucky enough to see “The Incredible Hulk.”
