Famous body builders
Arnold Schwarzenegger - maybe the most famous body builder in history, he was crowned Mr Universe at the age of 22, and won the Mr. Olympia title 7 times. He used his body building career as a platform to launch successful careers in acting and politics. He is currently the Governor of California for some reason.
The documentary 'Pumping Iron' covers the 1975 Mr. Olympia competition, pitting Arnie against some of his biggest rivals of the time, including this man;
Source: Keneller.TypePad.Com
This is Lou Ferrigno, a body builder most famous for playing the Incredible Hulk in the 70's TV show. He started muscle building at the age of 13, and since leaving the field of competitive body building, he has pursued careers in acting and sport. As well as the title role in the Incredible Hulk, Ferrigno also had a minor role (as himself) in US sitcom 'King of Queens', as well as roles in 'Hercules' and most recently cameo roles in a film adaptation of The Incredible Hulk, and in the comedy I Love You, Man. He also enjoyed a spell in American football, as well as the obligatory DVD and magazine features providing body building information.
Charles Atlas
Born Angelo Siciliano in 1892, Atlas emigrated to the United States, changed his name, and became the most popular muscle-man of the 1920's and 30's. He created a body building method called 'Dynamic Tension', and promoted it with a series of iconic print ads, in which he promised that those who bought his body building exercises would change from a '97 pound weakling', into a 'beast of a man'.
Dexter Jackson.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
The current Mr. Olympia is from Jacksonville, Florida, and finally won the prestigious body building title at the third attempt, defeating reigning champion Jay Cutler. Although he has not done much outside of the field of body building, the esteemed Governor of California has shown us that anything is possible, so keep an eye out for Dexter at your local cinema or polling station.
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