Dan Lurie
Encyclopedia
Dan Lurie is a founding father of bodybuilding
and a physical fitness pioneer. A world-class bodybuilder in the 1940s, by 1949 he had won the Mr. America
title of "America's Most Muscular Man" four times.In 1948, Lurie established the International Federation of Body Builders and he owns the Dan Lurie Gyms and Health Clubs, a gym which has attracted people such as Sylvester Stallone
. On April 29, 2007, Lurie was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.
His book, Heart of Steel: The Dan Lurie Story with foreword by Regis Philbin
, chronicles how he overcame poverty to rise to success in the fitness industry and exposes the truth behind his relationships with other famed fitness industry men such as Joe Weider
, Arnold Schwarzenegger
and Lou Ferrigno
.
Lurie appeared on the Sealtest Big Top Circus Variety Show on CBS
. This was the first color television program in the USA. He played "Sealtest Dan, The Muscle Man". Ed McMahon
played a clown. He also appeared as "The Mighty Rewop" in the popular children's TV series Captain Video
.
Bodybuilding
Bodybuilding is a form of body modification involving intensive muscle hypertrophy. An individual who engages in this activity is referred to as a bodybuilder. In competitive and professional bodybuilding, bodybuilders display their physiques to a panel of judges, who assign points based on their...
and a physical fitness pioneer. A world-class bodybuilder in the 1940s, by 1949 he had won the Mr. America
Mr. America
Mr. America may refer to:* AAU Mr. America, bodybuilding contest held by the Amateur Athletic Union from 1939 onwards* IFBB Mr. America, bodybuilding contest held by the International Federation of BodyBuilders in 1949 and 1959-1988...
title of "America's Most Muscular Man" four times.In 1948, Lurie established the International Federation of Body Builders and he owns the Dan Lurie Gyms and Health Clubs, a gym which has attracted people such as Sylvester Stallone
Sylvester Stallone
Michael Sylvester Gardenzio Stallone , commonly known as Sylvester Stallone, and nicknamed Sly Stallone, is an American actor, filmmaker, screenwriter, film director and occasional painter. Stallone is known for his machismo and Hollywood action roles. Two of the notable characters he has portrayed...
. On April 29, 2007, Lurie was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.
His book, Heart of Steel: The Dan Lurie Story with foreword by Regis Philbin
Regis Philbin
Regis Francis Xavier Philbin is an American media personality, actor and singer, known for hosting talk and game shows since the 1960s. Philbin is often called "the hardest working man in show business" and holds the Guinness World Record for the most time spent in front of a television camera...
, chronicles how he overcame poverty to rise to success in the fitness industry and exposes the truth behind his relationships with other famed fitness industry men such as Joe Weider
Joe Weider
Josef E. "Joe" Weider is co-founder of the International Federation of BodyBuilders along with brother Ben Weider and creator of the Mr. Olympia, the Ms. Olympia, and the now-defunct Masters Olympia bodybuilding contests...
, Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
and Lou Ferrigno
Lou Ferrigno
Louis Jude "Lou" Ferrigno is an American actor, fitness trainer/consultant, and retired professional bodybuilder. As a bodybuilder, Ferrigno won an IFBB Mr. America title and two consecutive IFBB Mr. Universe titles, and appeared in the bodybuilding documentary Pumping Iron...
.
Lurie appeared on the Sealtest Big Top Circus Variety Show on CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
. This was the first color television program in the USA. He played "Sealtest Dan, The Muscle Man". Ed McMahon
Ed McMahon
Edward Peter "Ed" McMahon, Jr. was an American comedian, game show host and announcer. He is most famous for his work on television as Johnny Carson's sidekick and announcer on The Tonight Show from 1962 to 1992. He also hosted the original version of the talent show Star Search from 1983 to 1995...
played a clown. He also appeared as "The Mighty Rewop" in the popular children's TV series Captain Video
Captain Video
Captain Video and His Video Rangers is an American science fiction television series. It was broadcast on the DuMont Television Network, and was the first series of its kind on American television...
.
Strength and endurance records
- 1225 parallel dips in 90 minutes
- A one handed over head bent press with 285 lb bodyweight 168 lb
- Leg press with 1230 lb
- Back lift of 1810 lb