Joe Bonomo (strongman)
| Joe Bonomo | |
|---|---|
| Born |
December 25, 1901 Coney Island, New York |
| Died |
March 28, 1978 (aged 76) Los Angeles |
| Occupation | Stunt performer |
Joseph "Joe" Bonomo (December 25, 1901 in Coney Island, New York – March 28, 1978 in Los Angeles), was a famous American weight lifter, strongman, film stunt performer and actor.
Biography
Bonomo was born to Esther and Albert, Sephardic Jewish immigrants from Izmir.[1] His brother Victor invented Turkish Taffy. As a child Bonomo built himself into a strongman winning the "Mr Modern Apollo" contest of 1921 where the prizes included a ten-week movie contract.[2] He began as a stunt double soon doubling for Lon Chaney in The Hunchback of Notre Dame then playing a variety of roles. He lost the role of Tarzan in Tarzan the Mighty when he injured himself before shooting,.[3]
When sound came, Joe's strong Brooklyn accent precluded him from film roles. He remained famous by series of magazine adverts offering bodybuilding by mail order.
References
- Bonomo, Joe Strongman: A True Life Pictorial Autobiography of the Hercules of the Screen Kessinger Publishing, 2007
Notes
- ↑ The Taranto-Capouya-Crespin Family History: A Microcosm of Sephardic History, Sephardic Horizons
- ↑ p.82 Baxter, John Stunt: The Story of the Great Movie Stunt Men Doubleday, 1974
- ↑ Schneider, Jerry L Edgar Rice Burroughs and the Silver Screen Vol. I The Silent Years Lulu.com
External links
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