biography
Born Lou Degni in Brooklyn, New York, on January 6, 1933, Mark Forest began bodybuilding at the age of 13 after being inspired by physical culture magazines. Later, Forest
and his brother worked with the physically handicapped by developing exercise programs for them. Forest competed for the 1952 Mr. America title and finished 27th, a remarkable
feat for a 19 year old. Before entering films, he appeared in some nightclub acts as the "strength premise." Forest was named "Mr. Venice Beach" in 1954, and he came in second
in the "Mr. Muscle Beach" competition during the same year.Forest was the second American actor, after Steve Reeves, to be recruited by Italian producers to star in sword and sandal films. He was a third-generation Italian-American and was fluent in Italian. Some of his films were made in Naples, Italy, the area from which his grandparents came. With an acting style more relaxed than that of Steve Reeves or Reg Park, Forest seemed to glide through his portrayals of muscle-packed heros. |
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the films of mark forestGoliath and the Dragon (1960)   
From Goliath and the Dragon, Mark Forest's first film. This peplum was released in the US by American International PicturesSon of Samson (1960)
From Son of Samson, Forest's second film and an excellent peplumMole Men Against the Son of Hercules (1961)   
From Mole Men Against the Son of Hercules, released in Europe in 1961 and to television in the US in 1964. LEFT and CENTER: Forest as Maciste. RIGHT: With Paul WynterColossus of the Arena (1962)
From Colossus of the Arena aka Maciste. Spot Dan Vadis at the center rear of this photoGoliath and the Sins of Babylon (1963)   
From the sword and sandal epic Goliath and the Sins of Babylon, released by American International Pictures. LEFT: Forest as Marcellus. CENTER A and B: With Mimmo Palmara. RIGHT: Forest in actionHercules Against the Mongols (1963)
Forest as the title character in Hercules Against the MongolsHercules Against the Sons of the Sun (1964)The Terror of Rome Against the Son of Hercules (1964)  
Stills from The Terror of Rome Against the Son of HerculesHercules Against the Barbarians (1964)
Forest in Hercules Against the Barbarians, a film in which he costarred with Ken ClarkThe Lion of Thebes (1965)   
Forest in The Lion of Thebes. Thanks to Kris Donaldson and Dan for the screen captureslater yearsForest made a number of sword and sandal films between 1960 and 1965, starring as Hercules twice in Hercules Against the Sons of the Sun and The Revenge of Hercules (aka Goliath and the Dragon). With the release of The Lion of Thebes, Forest walked away from acting to study opera and voice. For years he resided in Arleta, California, where he sang and taught opera. Sadly, Mark Forest passed away one day after his 89th birthday on January 7, 2022. |
filmography
Kindar the Invulnerable (1965) with Mimmo Palmara, Rosalba Neri, and Howard Ross
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