Apart from being bodybuilding legends, Lou Ferrigno and Arnold Schwarzenegger have also been incredible actors in Hollywood. Although several other athletes and bodybuilders have also tried to get into the film industry, very few have achieved the limelight like Schwarzenegger and Ferrigno.
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Talking about the very same matter, late bodybuilder Mike Mentzer had once voiced his opinions on the bodybuilding stars’ success outside the sport.
How bodybuilding success helped Schwarzenegger and Ferrigno?
In one of his old interviews, bodybuilding icon Mike Mentzer talked in depth about the sport and its athletes. The late bodybuilding legend also shared his views on bodybuilders turning into movie stars.
Mentzer believed that not every bodybuilder has the capability to achieve what Schwarzenegger and Ferrigno had in Hollywood. Sharing his opinions, He said, “Two things that Louis and Arnold had going were their enormous success in bodybuilding which tended to carry over the public at large.”
Furthermore, Mentzer also believed that the two legendary bodybuilders’ approach and dedication towards their work was one of the main reasons for their success. He said, “And they were extremely disciplined and highly motivated people… I think what they did was re-appropriate their energy and discipline to the area of acting. And as a result, they became successful there also.”
In the new age, gaining roles in films and TV has become easier, but it was not easy back then. However, the “Terminator” star and “The Hulk” hero’s dedication and desire led them from one successful field to another.
Arnie and Ferrigno’s success in Hollywood:
Since his early bodybuilding days, Schwarzenegger had always wanted to become a Hollywood star. Hence, the greatest moved to LA in 1968, searching for big-screen fame.
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A year later, due to his incredible physique, Schwarzenegger landed his first movie role with Hercules in New York. Coincidentally, Ferrigno’s one of most popular roles saw him portray the part of Hercules. However, Schwarzenegger’s breakthrough in Hollywood came with The Terminator. And his bodybuilding rival Lou Ferrigno became the famous green superhero – “The Incredible Hulk”.
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Although both legendary bodybuilders have bid farewell to the sport, their journey as Hollywood superstars continues, even today.