Just Like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bodybuilding Rival Lou Ferrigno Shared the Same Struggle With His Father Growing Up

Published 11/21/2022, 7:45 AM EST

Bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno is one of the legendary athletes in the United States. Ferrigno is a title winner of the IFFB Mr. America championship and a two-time winner of the IFFB Mr. Universe title. Other than bodybuilding, the star bodybuilder is also a famous Hollywood actor.

He has played the iconic superhero “The Hulk” in the CBS TV series “The Incredible Hulk”. Even today, the bodybuilder-turned-actor is as fit as he was in his early bodybuilding days. Ferrigno, who grew up in New York, is of Italian descent and grew up with a strict father like his rival Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Article continues below this ad

Lou Ferrigno on growing up in Brooklyn

In 1951, Ferrigno was born in Brooklyn, New York, to parents Victoria and Matt. His father was a police lieutenant in the NYPD [New York Police Department].

In 2019, during a candid interview with Tulsa Beacon, Ferrigno talked about his childhood and growing up with a strict and conservative father. He said, “I grew up with an adamant father. He worked for the New York Police Department and I had that strict Italian upbringing.”

Ferrigno also recalled that he used to live in a neighborhood full of Jewish and Italian people. Hence, everyone there was like a family to him. Although his father was stern, Ferrigno still enjoyed his upbringing in the city. “It was a lot of fun because people would get together and have a block party,” said the legendary bodybuilder.

“I Got Beat Up a Lot as a Kid”: Lou Ferrigno Once Confessed the Actual Reason Behind His Obsession With Power

Ferrigno also grew up with his cousins and other family members who lived in the same locality. In 2015, following his father’s footsteps, Ferrigno joined the San Luis Obispo County, California, Sheriff’s Department as a reserve deputy.

How was Schwarzenegger’s father similar to Ferrigno’s?

Article continues below this ad

Ferrigno’s childhood was somewhat similar to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s, under whom he had trained early in his bodybuilding career. Like Ferrigno, Schwarzenegger too had a restricted and strict upbringing.

However, the Austrian-born Schwarzenegger’s father was a Nazi soldier who was involved during the Second World War. On many past occasions, Schwarzenegger revealed how his father’s war injuries affected him as a child. In 1956, Schwarzenegger also served in the Austrian Army to fulfill the duties required by every Austrian male after turning 18.

Article continues below this ad

Watch This Story: Five years younger than Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lou Ferrigno looks like a beast next to the Terminator actor

Even though Ferrigno and Schwarzenegger had orthodox fathers, the two bodybuilders are complete opposites and can be termed the “cool dads”.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Soumya Bontra is a US Sports author for EssentiallySports. She has been working as a sports journalist and writer for the past two years. Soumya has a Bachelor’s in Mass Media.

Edited by:

Simar Singh Wadhwa

Just Like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bodybuilding Rival Lou Ferrigno Shared the Same Struggle With His Father Growing Up

Lou Ferrigno on growing up in Brooklyn

Trending

Arnold Schwarzenegger Reveals How Gen Z Is “Fueling the Decline in Happiness”

“Rest Well Champ”: Death of ‘Most Shredded Bodybuilder Ever’ Sends Shockwaves Amongst Bodybuilding World

“Steroids Did a Number on His Face”: Zac Efron Faces Fierce Scrutiny From Fitness World Over His Insanely Jacked Wrestler Avatar

“Rest in Heaven Sir”: Fans Mourn Loss of 26-YO Bodybuilder Who Got Killed by Wife During Heated Argument

“He’s Like a Real-Life Wolverine”: Super Shredded 48-YO Arm Wrestling Legend Leaves Bodybuilding Community Spellbound

How was Schwarzenegger’s father similar to Ferrigno’s?