Arnold Schwarzenegger was the star of Pumping Iron (1977). While looking like a documentary at face value, Pumping Iron was a docu-drama where Schwarzenegger plays the protagonist who overcomes the challenger, Lou Ferrigno. The film portrayed Lou Ferrigno, Arnie’s rival, as some sort of an antagonist. While the film was a massive hit that gave Arnie a lot of momentum in bodybuilding, many people looked at massive bodybuilders like Schwarzenegger and Ferrigno as “freaks.”

Earlier, Ferrigno, the first actor to portray the live-action version of the Incredible Hulk, spoke about the film. While appearing on The Weekly Show with David J. Maloney, Ferrigno reminisced how the public perceived bodybuilders like Arnie. He revealed why, despite being the star of the film, Arnold Schwarzenegger didn’t feature on the cover of the book.

The seven-time Mr. Olympia was too big

Arnold Schwarzenegger didn’t make it to the cover of the book because of his 6’2″, 240 lbs stature. Ferrigno, who stands at 6’4″ and weighed even heavier than Schwarzenegger, said the public felt scared to approach them. The publishers felt bodybuilders like Arnie and Ferrigno would be “too intimidating for the public.” So, “They used another man named Ed Corney,” said the bodybuilder.

Ed Corney was among the Golden Era legends and was also featured in Pumping Iron. However, the former Mr. Universe stood at 5’7″ stall and competed in the under-200 lbs class in the 70s. The publishers thought Corney would look much less intimidating on the cover of the Pumping Iron.

The fact that even Arnold Schwarzenegger called him one of the greatest posers of all time added to the elegance of the cover. While bodybuilders like The Austrian Oak and Lou Ferrigno did their part in changing the public perception of bodybuilding, many harbored misconceptions about the sport in the 70s. It wasn’t until the Austrian Oak made it big in Hollywood that the public perception changed for good.

Arnold Schwarzenegger had to downsize his physique

However, even in Hollywood, Schwarzenegger’s stature caused issues. Many producers initially found Arnold Schwarzenegger too musclebound. Even John Milius, who directed Arnie’s breakthrough film Conan the Barbarian, said he was too big. Yet, Milius agreed to give the bodybuilding champion time to transform his Olympia-winning physique.

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For nearly two years, the bodybuilding legend trained differently. Instead of putting on muscle, Schwarzenegger worked on increasing endurance, mastered horse riding, and learned the art of sword fighting. In the end, the seven-time Mr. Olympia winner slimmed his bodybuilder’s physique to look more like a warrior.

Arnold Schwarzenegger might be a Hollywood action icon today, but Lou Ferrigno’s confession revealed another hurdle bodybuilders had to overcome to make it to the mainstream.

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