Lou Ferrigno (born Nov. 9, 1951) is an American actor, motivational speaker, fitness trainer and professional bodybuilder. As a bodybuilder, Lou won an IFBB Mr. America title and two consecutive IFBB Mr. Universe titles, and appeared in the bodybuilding documentary, Pumping Iron.
As an actor, he is best known for portraying the title role in the CBS television series, The Incredible Hulk. Lou was born in Brooklyn, New York. Soon after he was born, Lou suffered a series of ear infections and lost 75% of his hearing (though his condition was not diagnosed until he was three years old). Undeterred by what some may have perceived as a disadvantage, Lou threw himself into athletics (predominantly weightlifting and bodybuilding). Lou was only 21 when he won his first Mr. Universe title, a Guinness Book world record that stands to this day.
In February 2006, Lou was sworn in as a Los Angeles County, California reserve sheriff deputy and in November 2010, Lou was sworn in as a member of a Maricopa County, Arizona volunteer sheriff posse in order to help control illegal immigration in the Phoenix Valley area.
Most recently, he and his family started Ferrigno FIT – a community focused on positive habits, lifestyles, and ideas.