Arnold Schwarzenegger knows how to praise real talent. Whether it is for Franco Columbu, whom he considered his “best friend,” or for Flex Wheeler, whom he once acknowledged as the greatest bodybuilder he had ever seen.

This time, Arnold has shared something about his biggest rival in the 1970s, Lou Ferrigno.

Arnold Schwarzenegger praised his former rival

In December 2024, while appearing on the 2 Bears, 1 Cave podcast, Arnie praised Lou Ferringo and called him a “Hardest-Working Bodybuilder.” Schwarznegger said, “he's a great guy, and I really got to appreciate Lou because he was one of the very few bodybuilders that was willing to work his a** off…. not only in the gym but also to the various different jobs.”

And Arnold had every reason to say this.

Lou worked as a sheet-metal welder, a job that was genuinely physically demanding. Following this, he played for the Toronto Argonauts as a defensive lineman in the Canadian Football League for a short time. 

After playing the Hulk in the TV series “The Incredible Hulk,” he also worked as a personal trainer in Hollywood. He worked with several celebrities, like Michael Jackson. And while Ferrigno never rose to superstardom like Arnold Schwarzenegger, he continues to impress people like the seven-time Mr. Olympia.

Lou Ferrigno's after bodybuilding

Lou Ferrigno is still working at the age of 74 as a real-life Sheriff’s Deputy in Los Angeles County. He regularly trains and maintains a healthy lifestyle. Lou also continues his acting career, and on Dec 5, 2025, his new movie “Forgotten Fortune” was released. For his police duty, Lou said, “I think it’s a great career.”

Ferrigno is also fundraising for the Voices Against Cancer organization. While speaking to Dakota News Now, Ferrigno stated, “My whole life, I have people in my life that died from cancer. Especially now my still being a deputy sheriff at 20 years, I’m learning to give back to people. It’s important to me that people get that respect because our society today is dealing with so much sickness. Especially the whole Covid situation.”

What is your opinion on whether Lou Ferrigno? Comment down your answer.

Written by

Supradeep Dutta

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi