Reg Park was an American actor and bodybuilder, best known for his roles in “Hercules and the Captive Women,” “Hercules in the Haunted World,” and “Maciste in King Solomon’s Mines.” He was also a legendary bodybuilder who inspired many, including Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Personal and Family Life
Reg Park was born as Roy Park in Leeds, Yorkshire, England, on June 7, 1928. He married Mareon Isaacs in 1952, and together they had two children, Jon Jon Park and Jeunesse Park. The family moved to South Africa where Reg successfully ran multiple fitness studios.
Bodybuilding Career
Park first gained fame as a bodybuilder and won the Mr. Universe title three times: in 1951, 1958, and 1965. He was known for his impressive strength and was the first bodybuilder to bench press 500 pounds. Arnold Schwarzenegger looked up to him and trained with him for some time, further solidifying Park’s influence in the bodybuilding community.
Death and Legacy
Reg Park passed away from melanoma on November 22, 2007, in Johannesburg, South Africa. His contributions to bodybuilding and cinema left a lasting impact, and he is fondly remembered by fans and athletes alike, including Schwarzenegger, who hailed him as one of the best in the “peplum” genre.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Ercole al centro della terra | 1961-11-16 | Hercules (Ercole) |
| Ercole alla conquista di Atlantide | 1961-08-19 | Ercole |
| Maciste nelle miniere del re Salomone | 1964-06-25 | Maciste |
| Ursus, il terrore dei kirghisi | 1964-07-31 | Ursus |
| La sfida dei giganti | 1965-08-13 | Hercules |
| Raw Iron: The Making of ‘Pumping Iron’ | 2002-01-01 | Self – Friend and mentor |