Joe Bonomo

Joseph Bonomo (December 25, 1901 – March 28, 1978) was a famous American weightlifter, strongman, film stunt performer, and actor.

Biography

Bonomo was born to Esther and Albert Bonomo, Sephardic Jewish immigrants from Smyrna, Turkey. His mother emigrated to the United States in 1890 or 1893 and his father in 1894; both lived for a time in France before sailing to their respective emigrations. As a child Bonomo built himself into a strongman, winning the "Mr. Modern Apollo" contest of 1921, for which the prizes included a ten-week movie contract.

He began as a stunt double, soon doubling for Lon Chaney in The Hunchback of Notre Dame and then playing a variety of roles. He lost the role of Tarzan in Tarzan the Mighty when he injured himself before shooting.

Bonomo took interest in dieting and physical culture. His 1954 book Power Plus Cable Course was endorsed by Bernarr Macfadden. In 1951 he authored Calorie Counter and Control Guide, which sold 17 million copies.

Selected filmography Year Title Role Notes 1924 Wolves of the North Pierre DuPree Serial, lost film 1926 The Flaming Frontier Rain in the Face Silent feature 1929 The King of the Kongo Gorilla Serial "talkie" 1929 Courtin' Wildcats Gorilla 1932The Lone Trail Jed

Selected publications

Bonomo Power Plus System of Physical Development (1944) How To Relax (1943) Building Body Power (1950) Calorie Counter and Control Guide (1951) Mighty Joe Bonomo's Famous 3-week Speed Course in Super-strength Dynamic Energy, Greater Health (1952) The Famous Joe Bonomo 'Power-Plus' Cable-Course (1954) The Scientific & Easy Way to Gain Weight (1958) The Strongman: Pictorial Autobiography of Joe Bonomo (1968)