Mark Forest (1933-)

biography

Born Lou Degni in Brooklyn, New York, on January 16, 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 is a third-generation Italian-American, and 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.

the films of mark forest

Goliath and the Dragon (1960)

Son of Samson (1960)

Mole Men Against the Son of Hercules (1961)

Colossus of the Arena (1962)

Goliath and the Sins of Babylon (1963)

Hercules Against the Mongols (1963)

Hercules Against the Sons of the Sun (1964)

The Terror of Rome Against the Son of Hercules (1964)

Hercules Against the Barbarians (1964)

The Lion of Thebes (1965)

mark forest today

Forest 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. Today, he resides in Arleta, California, where he sings and teaches opera.

mark forest films available from movies unlimited

Goliath And The Dragon [DVD](1960) DVD
The heroic muscleman (who must have reformed after his fight with David) must battle not only a dragon, but also a three-headed dog, a giant bat, and other mythological roadblocks put in his path by evil ruler Broderick Crawford. Mark Forest stars. 88 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English (dubbed). Plays All Regions.
Cosmic Superheroes: Four-DVD Box Set [DVD] DVD
Ken Utsui shines as Starman, the superhero from the Emerald Planet, in four action-packed films, all from 1964: "Attack from Space," "Evil Brain from Outer Space," "Invaders from Space," and "Atomic Rulers of the World." Next, "Goliath and the Dragon" (1960) finds the heroic muscleman doing battle with not only a dragon, but also a three-headed dog and a giant bat. Then, "The Conqueror of Atlantis" (1960) is a way, way out gladiator entry starring Kirk Morris as Heracles, out to find a kidnapped Nomad princess. In grand Herculean fashion, our hero (Alan Steel) comes to the aid of Good Samaritans in "Hercules Against the Moon Men" (1964). Lastly, a 17th-century bodybuilder descends into Hell to remove "The Witch's Curse" (1962). 11 hrs. on four discs. Standard; Soundtrack: English (dubbed) Dolby Digital mono. Dubbed in English.
Son Of Samson (1961)/Son Of Cleopatra [DVD](1962) DVD
Heeding an inner voice, the "Son of Samson," a loner from an outlying borough scourges the capital, using his high-caliber muscles to break up the Queen's tryst with those treacherous Persians. Mark Forest plays the hero who goes Old Testament to save Egypt. And, in a sword-and-sandal extravaganza, El Kabir, the "Son of Cleopatra" and Julius Caesar, leads his Egyptian rebels against Roman oppression. When El Kabir's brother is imprisoned and killed, he kidnaps the daughter of the Roman governor, with whom he falls in love. With Mark Damon, who later became a successful producer, and Scilla Gabel. Soundtrack: English (dubbed).
War Gods Collection [DVD] DVD
Four-disc boxed set includes "The Day the Earth Froze," "Son of Samson," "The Invincible Gladiator," "The Magic Voyage of Sinbad," "Son of Cleopatra," "War Gods of Babylon," "Hero of Rome," and "War Goddess."
Mole Men Against The Son Of Hercules [DVD](1961) DVD
Etruscan hero Maciste (apparently Italian for ``beefcake'') battles a race of hideous albinos in their weird underground city. Mark Forest reprises his role as the sandal-wearing muscle lad. Soundtrack: English (dubbed).
The Terror Of Rome Against The Son Of Hercules [DVD](1963) DVD
Thrilling spectacle pits Poseidon, the son of Hercules, against fearsome gladiators and ferocious beasts in a struggle to free captive Christians intended for slaughter in the Roman arena. Can Poseidon pull off some Herculean feats of his own and make dear old dad proud? With Mark Forest and Marilu Tolo. 100 min. Soundtrack: English (dubbed). Dubbed in English.
Hercules Against The Mongols [DVD](1963) DVD
After warlord Genghis Khan dies, his three sons go on a murderous rampage, killing innocent people and jailing Princess Bianca until they decide which one will marry her and inherit her land. Her brother escapes and tells Hercules about the troubles. Then Herc gets all medieval on them. Mark Forest, Grazia Maria Spina and Renato Rossini star. Standard; Soundtrack: English (dubbed).
Hercules Against The Barbarians [DVD](1964) DVD
The same cast of "Hercules Against the Mongols" gets together for another furious loincloth foray featuring Mark Forest as Hercules. Here he helps the Poles save their beloved Kracow from Mongols led by Genghis Khan's son, Kubali. Ken Clark and Renato Rossini also star in this anachronistic thrill-a-thon. Standard; Soundtrack: English (dubbed).
The Magnificent Gladiator (Il Magnifico Gladiatore) [DVD](1964) DVD
When a corrupt Roman commander overthrows the emperor, a fearless gladiator faces his greatest challenge after he is arrested. Following a daring escape, he finds himself immersed in the most difficult fight of his life as he squares off against the crooked military man. Mark Forest, Marilu Tolo, Paolo Gozlino star. NOTE: Taken from a print dubbed in English with foreign subtitles. Soundtrack: English (dubbed). Dubbed in English.
Kindar The Invulnerable [DVD](1965) DVD
There's a Kindar hush all over the world tonight, thanks to rugged Mark Forest's performance as the hero whom no weapon can injure. His enemies try to learn the secret of Kindar's invincibility in this rare swords-and-sandals fantasy. With Mime Palmara, Dea Flowers. Soundtrack: English (dubbed). Dubbed in English.

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mark forest photos and posters available

filmography

The Lion of Thebes (1965) with Sarah Bay
Hercules Against the Sons of the Sun (1964) with Giuliano Gemma
Hercules Against the Barbarians with Ken Clark
Hercules Against the Mongols (1964) (aka Maciste nell'inferno di Gengis Khan) with Ken Clark
Kindar the Invulnerable (1964) with Sarah Bay and Red Ross
The Magnificent Gladiator (1964) with Marilu Tolo and Paolo Gozlino
The Terror of Rome Against the Son of Hercules (1964) with Marilu Tolo and Peter White
Goliath and the Sins of Babylon (1963) with Giuliano Gemma
Colossus of the Arena (1962) with Dan Vadis
Mole Men Against the Son of Hercules (1961) (aka Maciste, the Strongest Man in the World) with Paul Wynter
Goliath and the Dragon (1960) (aka The Revenge of Hercules) with Broderick Crawford
Son of Samson (1960) (aka Maciste in the Valley of Kings) with Chelo Alonso.

links

Click here to go to the Mark Forest/Lou Degni Gallery


Go to the Other Hercules Heroes page, featuring Peter and David Paul, Paul Wynter, Richard Lloyd, and Jacques Sernas.

mark forest trailer now showing

Watch the trailer for Mark Forest's 1963 film Goliath and the Sins of Babylon