Reg Park
Roy "Reg" Park (born June 7, 1928) from Yorkshire, England, is a former bodybuilder, businessman, and film actor.
Brief history
Park won the 1949 Mr. Britain, and then subsequently spent six months in the United States. There, he met up with Joe Weider who began to feature the Englishman prominently in his magazines. Park was runner-up to Steve Reeves in the 1950 NABBA Amateur Mr. Universe and then broke what had been an American monopoly on bodybuilding titles by winning the 1951 NABBA Amateur Mr. Universe. He went on to win the 1958 and 1965 NABBA Pro Mr. Universe titles. Standing 6'1" and with a top weight of 250 pounds, Park was also renowned for his strength, which he often demonstrated in public performances.
Reg Park was an early influence and mentor for champion bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger.[1] Bonus footage from the DVD release of the documentary film Pumping Iron (1977) features Park mentoring Schwarzenegger. Park can also be heard performing the Master of Ceremonies duties in the Mr. Universe and Mr. Olympia Contests featured in the film proper.
As an actor, Park made only five films — all Italian
Reg Park's legacy is continued by his son, Jon Jon Park, a personal trainer and former Olympic Swimmer. Reg Park raised and trained Jon Jon in South Africa. Today Jon Jon Park is the owner of the Legacy Gym, a popular gymnasium in West Los Angeles, CA.
In his seventies, Park continued to train clients at the Morningside Virgin Active Gym in Sandton, South Africa. He has been featured in many fitness and bodybuilding magazines, and has also appeared on the cover of MUSCLE magazine. Park was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma in 2007, and is currently undergoing treatment.
Reg is also mentioned by former professional wrestler Bret Hart as being a good friend to his father Stu Hart and is also mentioned as a major influence in designing many wrestling championship title belts, including ones for the WWE.
Filmography
- Ercole Alla Conquista Di Atlantide (1961) Italty. aka Hercules and the Captive Women (1963)
- Ercole Al Centro Della Terra (1961) Italy. aka Hercules in the Haunted World (1961) co-starring Christopher Lee
- Maciste Nelle Miniere Di Re Salomone (1964) Italy. aka Maciste in King Solomon's Mines (1964)
- Ursus, Il Terrore Dei Kirghisi (1964). Italy. aka Hercules, Prisoner of Evil (1964)
- Sfida Dei Giganti (1965) Italy. aka Hercules The Avenger (1965)
See also
External link
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