Lou Ferrigno: The Real Hulk Speaks

[Guest EdwardKnoxII]

http://www.tvguide.com/newsgossip/insider/030616b.asp

 

Lou Ferrigno: The Real Hulk Speaks

by Danny Spiegel

 

Back in 1977, when Lou Ferrigno first donned green make-up to star in The Hulk, he was just 25 years old, a two-time Mr. Universe with no real acting experience. But except for all the ripped shirts, his TV role turned out to be a perfect fit. He convincingly growled and flexed his way through five seasons and three subsequent TV movies, the last airing in 1990. (Those telefilms and the series pilot episode are now on DVD). Since then, Ferrigno, 51, has stayed in shape, written his autobiography (available at www.louferrigno.com) and landed a recurring role on The King of Queens. And this Friday, he can be seen making a cameo in Ang Lee's big-budget Hulk feature. Here, we catch up with the former (not-so-jolly) green giant.

 

 

TV Guide Online: So how many times could you bench-press your Queens co-star, Kevin James?

Ferrigno: I don't know. If he let me try, I probably could do him more than a few.

 

TVGO: Like five, six, seven times?

Ferrigno: Yeah. Haven't done it though.

 

TVGO: How much can you bench-press now if you're maxing out?

Ferrigno: Well now I could still probably do 400 lbs., one drop.

 

TVGO: And what was it before?

Ferrigno: 560, in my prime when I was 25.

 

TVGO: Wow, that's a lot of weight.

Ferrigno: Yeah, I still train very hard. I train a lot of people on the side as a personal trainer, but I still work out myself to keep in great shape.

 

TVGO: Michael Jackson was a personal training client of yours. Did he wear make-up when he worked out?

Ferrigno: Not so much I know of, but when Michael's with me, he's really himself. And I always have a great time with Michael.

 

TVGO: I heard that director Ang Lee does a pretty good impression of you as the Hulk.

Ferrigno: He did, and it was very funny. After my last scene of shooting, the photographer wanted to take a picture, so then [Ang] ended up doing the Hulk pose next to me. And we're both doing the Hulk pose right before the camera. I remember getting a standing ovation from the crew, and everybody was throwing the Hulk pose and chanting and jumping up and down. I couldn't believe how everybody reacted to my filming on the set; it was overwhelming.

 

For more of Danny Spiegel's interview with Ferrigno, pick up the new issue of TV Guide magazine, on sale now.

[Guest Choken One]

Why didn't they just Use Ferrigno for the movie instead of this unknown guy?

[Guest EdwardKnoxII]

I thought it was pretty cool that Lou Ferrigno a cameo in the movie. I was wondering if he would have one.

 

Why didn't they just Use Ferrigno for the movie instead of this unknown guy?

 

Lou Ferrigno worked out great on the show cause it was the 70's and the effects weren't anywhere as good as they are now and the show had a low budget. But, with effects being what they are I think it was smart going with a CGI Hulk because lets remember the Hulk is a larger then life monster that not many can match in the Marvel world.

[Guest Mik at Cornell]

I think Choken actually meant Eric Bana. Choken, Ferrigno was the green Hulk, while Bill Bixby was Bruce Banner.

 

It wouldn't work.

[Guest EdwardKnoxII]

Oh I thought the unknown guy thing was a joke about the CGI Hulk.

[Guest WrestlingDeacon]

Yeah, I thought it was a joke too.

 

And Bill Bixby is dead anyway. I believe Stan Lee has cameo in the new film as well, but then has a cameo in all Marvel based films pretty much.

 

I met Lou Ferrigno at a comic book convention a few years ago with George the Animal Steele as well. Ferrigno wanted like ten bucks for an autograph, so there wasn't a lot of people flocking to him.

[Guest TheZsaszHorsemen]

Is it true that Lou Ferrigno is hearing-impaired? I heard that somewhere.

[Guest The Grand Pubah of 1620]

Is it true that Lou Ferrigno is hearing-impaired? I heard that somewhere.

Yes, he is partially deaf. I met him when I was a kid. He seemed to ba a pretty cool guy at the time.

[Guest Youth N Asia]

Why didn't they just Use Ferrigno for the movie instead of this unknown guy?

Cause Bruce Banner's suppose to be a normal guy...plus Lou isn't a great actor.

[Guest Marshall]

Anyone see Eric Bana in Chopper? It's fucking awesome.

 

Lou Ferrigno has a cameo in Hulk. I think he's the guard talking to Stan Lee. It's a pretty cool moment.

[Guest croweater]

Eric Bana ie. the unknown guy absolutely RULES. Thankfully I've been able to watch him on tv for the past 10 or so years, and not only is he a great actor (which was shown in Chopper) but He is one funny bastard too. His story amazes me because it seems like he was just a bloody funny sketch show talent..... and now he's the friggin' HULK!!

 

Eric Bana: always Poita to me (for all 2 of you that may get that)

[Guest Youth N Asia]

Least he's not one of these bitter had beens that's bitching about not being picked to revise his old role.

[Guest Lil Naitch]

Sounds like a good guy.

And he can lift 400 lbs and he's HOW old? Damn.

I guess I wouldn't like him when he's angry

[LivingLegendGaryColeman 0]

<thinks back to Mafia!> LOU FERRIGNO!

 

At least I think that was Mafia!, it's been a while...

 

Yeah, I liked the cameo, it's funny because someone I saw the movie with saw the two (Lou and Stan Lee) in the scene and was like "Yeah right, a security guard would look like that", so I explained it.

 

I like those little cameos though, interesting to see the people from a while back like him and "how they are now". And the coolness of catching little things that others don't is nice sometimes too...