Lou Ferrigno is a legend in the bodybuilding industry for his sheer size and tenacity. A man who had a hearing impairment that affected his speech. He grew into popularity as the fan favorite to win Mr. Olympia and Mr. Universe in 1975 against Arnold Schwarzenegger and one of the main subjects of the documentary titled Pumping Iron. While he didn’t take the win from Arnold he continued in that career alongside any film and television series roles he gained. Most popularly known to us as the one and only Incredible Hulk.
After sitting with Lou and having a wonderful chat, I can say he is no doubt still the Incredible Hulk! I will be sitting with him throughout the weekend but for now here are a few things we spoke about over a hearty craft beer.
CBM Manny: How has it been overcoming a hearing impairment in this industry
LF: It’s funny over the years, I’ve changed everything about myself. I’ve changed my voice, I’ve tried to articulate as best I can. From doing voices, to some cartoons, to the Hulk in these movies. It’s funny but I’ve changed to overcome.
I got to banter with him a little over his work in the past from his portrayals of Hercules to his stint as Sinbad and how that affected his career. We even spoke about his current work in the bodybuilding world. Lou, 62, is in amazing shape! Not only for his age but is pretty capable of showing up many younger champions in the field. We joke a little about this and I randomly asked if he thought Arnold Schwarzenegger was slacking in his workout.
CBM Manny: So what do you think? Arnold? Is he just slacking!?
LF [chuckling]: Yes! Well it’s my passion, because I train 5 to 6 days a week. I just love being appreciated, I just love the audience, I just love being the “Hulk”, feeling powerful and also my physicality. When I do a show, it’s not a costume, it’s me and I love how people react to that.
He was able to give me a tiny tidbit about the Incredible Hulk and if it was gaining a sequel but was not able to reveal too much of it yet. For any voice work on Hulk he usually waits until Marvel brings him in at post production and is hoping to be able to continue doing so for the rest of the MCU past Avengers: Age of Ultron but was unable to say much more as some of what he’s been added to is still confidential.
He’s recently played an Orion in the extremely popular and award-winning fan-created series Star Trek Continues, alongside fan favorites Vic Mignogna, Todd Haberkorn and Chuck Huber. He also expressed how he’d like to play an evil character in films one day. Something along the lines of a slasher-film. To portray a killer. A role that is unusual to him in his film career.
Lou has a long list of films under his belt and spoke about a few roles he'll be appearing in, from a new Scorpion king film alongside Rutger Hauer, Royce Gracie and Micheal Biehn to vocal work in the Bandit Hound with Paul Sorvino and Judd Nelson. Lou has also launched his bodybuilding competition, the IFBB Ferrigno Legacy with World Gym which brings a Professional Bodybuilding Championship to Santa Barbara, California this year in November.
Lou is scheduled for a few meet and greets and will be talking about his roles in the industry throughout the weekend here at Wizard World Richmond
He is set to voice, once again, the Hulk in Avengers: Age of Ultron, which releases next year alongside a vast cast of heroes.
From left to Right: Ed Fortner, myself EF "Manny" Camacho, Lou Ferrigno, Michelle Lawhorn "Stormy" @ the Capital Ale House in Richmond, VA for Wizard Worlds Press Meet and Greet.
I'll be here with some support staff, Ed Fortner and Michelle "Stormy" Lawhorn, documenting everything from the show. While I don't expect any type of announcements to be made, there are Marvel Editors here that might give us some info on new comic projects. I'll be meeting and speaking to Jon Bernthal, Micheal Rooker, Dave Bautista, James Marsters, Bruce Campbell and many more! I've already interviewed Fan favorite Jason David Frank, from the many incarnations of Power Rangers. Stay tuned to CBM and to our Twitter and Facebook accounts for more
By @EmanuelFCamacho