Mike Katz

For the musician, see Mike Katz (musician).
Mike Katz
 Bodybuilder 
Personal info
Born Michael Katz
(1944-11-14) November 14, 1944
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[1]
Weight 240 lb (109 kg) (1975)
Professional career
Pro-debut IFBB Mr. America, 1969
Best win IFBB Mr. Universe, 1972
Active Retired 1981

Michael Katz (born November 14, 1944) is a former American IFBB professional bodybuilder and former professional football player with the New York Jets, most famous for his appearance with Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1977 bodybuilding documentary film Pumping Iron.

Katz attended Southern Connecticut State College, graduating in 1966. He worked as a Jr. High School gym teacher while training as an amateur bodybuilder. Katz cited bullying in his youth, for being Jewish and wearing glasses, as inspiration for weight training. He was known for his role as the underdog in the 1975 Mr. Universe competition, where he refused to give up on himself despite placing 4th place in the Tall division. Katz later went professional and qualified for the 1976 Mr. Olympia, placing 2nd in the heavyweight division in what was considered his peak form (Katz had greatly improved his proportions, considered his main flaw as a competitor).

Mike Katz was also a pro football player with the New York Jets before ending his NFL career with a leg injury in 1968.

Katz appeared in the documentary Challenging Impossibility, commenting on the weightlifting odyssey of spiritual teacher and peace advocate Sri Chinmoy. The film was an Official Selection of the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival.

Bodybuilding career

Competitive statistics

Competitive history

See also

References

  1. "ALL ABOUT MIKE KATZ". BodybuildingPro.comApril 9, 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 Avidan, Ron. "Almanac of Men's Bodybuilding", "http://www.bodybuilding.com", Retrieved on 9 August 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 Mike Katz (1977). "Pumping Iron" (documentary). Rollie Robinson, White Mountain Films. External link in |title= (help)
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