Lou Ferrigno sat down with PNJ reporter Jake Newby to talk a bit about himself and what he has planned for Pensacon. Jacob Newby/


Lou Ferrigno is an actor, fitness trainer and consultant, retired legendary bodybuilder and now an active reserve sheriff's deputy in Los Angeles, California. But this weekend, the original Incredible Hulk takes a break from all of that to interact with fans at Pensacon 2018.

Ferrigno is probably best known for his role as the Hulk in the CBS TV series that ran from 1978-1982, but he's been acting in movies and TV shows consistently for more than 30 years. The Brooklyn native said he's recently worked on three movies: the action flick "Enter the Fire," the horror/mystery/thriller "Cranial Sacral" and the comedy "Purge of Thrones," a spoof of the hit TV series "Game of Thrones." 

Two of those movies are completed and the other is still being filmed.

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"Also I'm doing a new TV series, it's kind of like the 'Celebrity Apprentice' of fitness," said Ferrigno, who was previously in the fifth installment of "The Celebrity Apprentice" in 2012. "I had a great time on ('Celebrity Apprentice') because I learned a lot about branding. And I raised $100,000 for muscular discography." 

When he's not in front of the camera, Ferrigno takes pride in his job as a reserve sheriff's deputy in LA. 

"I do a lot of sheriff's investigating, rescuing people, for example, from suicide, gang violence and theft," he said. "And I also teach weapon shooting and I do a lot of speaking for the department so I'm involved in a lot of different things." 

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Ferrigno said he puts a lot of hours into his job at the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. He said he's honored to be in law enforcement. 

"The police today, they get so much backlash," the California resident said. "Especially today, like with the shooting. We need Homeland Security and our police and our sheriff's departments." 

Ferrigno will have a table at Pensacon with autographed posters and pictures for sale, and he'll also take part in Q&As over the three days of appearances. 


Q&A with Lou Ferrigno

1. Favorite modern-day Marvel movie? 

"The Incredible Hulk, of course." 

2. Have you seen "Black Panther" yet and if so, what did you think of it? 

"I have not gotten the chance to see it yet. I've heard great things."

3. Favorite movie to be a part of in your career? 

"I've done a lot, but I've got to say "The Purge of Thrones," it's a comedy on "The Game of Thrones." 

4. You're still in great shape. What's your diet like these days?

"I eat a balanced diet of meat, eggs, fish, fruit and vegetables. I don't over-indulge in fattening food and unrefined sugars. I try to eat my calories instead of drinking my calories." 

5. You're from Brooklyn. What's your favorite thing to eat in New York City? 

"A New York pizza." 

6. To touch on your decorated bodybuilding career, what's the most you ever bench pressed? 

"560 pounds." 

7. Your career-best squat? 

"640 pounds." 

8. Deadlift? 

"About 900. I was in the first World's Strongest Man, I beat Jon Cole in the deadlift, him and Franco Columbu. And Jon Cole had the world record deadlift at the time and I defeated both of them. I mean, if I did it today you'd probably have to bring a gurney here and go straight to the hospital."

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