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Reg Park
1928-2007
Updated 8/28/2008 with more films available on DVD!
biography
Famed bodybuilder Reg Park was born on June 7, 1928, in Yorkshire, England. Park's father owned a gymnasium and a barbell company. The younger Park soon followed his father's lead, competing for the Mr. Britain title at the age of 18. In 1949, he won the Mr. Britain title and in 1950 won the Mr. Europe competition. Park was the winner of the Mr. Universe competition in 1951 and again in 1958 and 1965. He remained active in bodybuilding competitions through the early 1970s and was a popular subject on the cover of fitness magazines of the era.
LEFT: Reg Park lifts a taxi in London in 1957. CENTER: On the October 1956 cover of Muscle Power. RIGHT: Park on the January 1951 cover of Your Physique. Check out the Reg Park Gallery for more bodybuilding photos.
Park created a health instruction and equipment business in his native England after winning the Mr. Universe title in 1951. In the 1950s, he married a ballerina from South Africa and later moved to South Africa to expand his business. Among Park's business interests was a bodybuilding magazine titled The Reg Park Journal. Beginning in 1954, the magazine showcased some of the most prominent bodybuilders in the 1950s; unfortunately, it ceased publication in 1959.
LEFT: Amazingly proportioned Canadian Leo Robert graces the January 1955 cover of The Reg Park Journal. Robert was Mr. Canada 1951 and Mr. Universe 1955. You'll find more photos of Leo Robert at the Classic Bodybuilders web site RIGHT: Reg Park takes a break from filming
Park made just five films between 1961 and 1964. Mainly a businessman, he had no great designs on his acting career, accepting film offers primarily as a financial proposition. Realizing that he could cash in on the Hercules craze as Steve Reeves had, Park returned to South Africa after completing his final film and resumed control of his growing business empire.
Park portrayed Hercules in three films in the early 1960s: Hercules and the Captive Women (1961); Hercules in the Haunted World (1961), and Hercules, Prisoner of Evil (1964). Mystery Science Theater 3000 fans will recall Hercules and the Captive Women as episode #412. A strong entry in the sword and sandal genre, Hercules and the Captive Women (1962; with Fay Spain) finds Park at odds with Fay Spain, the tragic queen of Atlantis who sacrifices her only daughter to ensure the survival of Atlantis. Hercules saves the princess from a horrible fate, killing the monster to whom she has been sacrificed. After ordering her daughter to be put to death, the queen unsuccessfully attempts to drug Hercules. With the help of his son, Hylus (Luciano Marin), Hercules is able save the princess again and escape from Atlantis before it is destroyed.
the films of reg park
Hercules and the Captive Women (1961)
LEFT: Upon freeing the princess, Hercules returns her to Atlantis. CENTER and RIGHT: Queen Antinea (Fay Spain) uses her feminine wiles on Hercules
More stills from Hercules and the Captive Women (aka Hercules Conquers Atlantis)
Hercules in the Haunted World (1961)
Hercules in the Haunted World is one of the best sword and sandal films, thanks to the superior direction of legendary B-movie director Mario Bava. (Thanks to Kris Donaldson for the screen captures)
More scenes from Hercules in the Haunted World (1961)
Maciste in King Solomon's Mines (1964)
Scenes from Maciste in King Solomon's Mines, shot in South Africa
later years
Although Park's few film appearances had little bearing on cinema history, he inspired some big film stars, including Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone, to begin bodybuilding. In fact, Schwarzenegger trained with Park's help in the late 1960s, living with Park and his family in their South African home for awhile. Park also convinced Schwarzenegger to take the title role in the 1970 film Hercules in New York as a money-making proposition.
Park continued his association with the sport of bodybuilding as a contributor to a muscle magazine and occasionally served as a judge in competitions. Sadly, Reg Park passed away due to complications of melanoma in November 22, 2007, at the age of 79. Park's son, Jon Jon, is a personal fitness trainer in California whose skills have been promoted by Schwarzenegger and Oscar De La Hoya.
the reg park film photo gallery
Click on the thumbnails to enlarge the photos.
Hercules In The Haunted World [DVD](1961) DVD
Reg Park returns as Herc, who doesn't shirk from the task of returning with the cure for his dying beloved...even if it means a descent into the bowels of Hell! And demon lord Christopher Lee is determined to see that he never resurfaces! Mario Bava directs. Original European version; 84 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono, Italian Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English; photo gallery; poster gallery; theatrical trailer.
Hercules The Avenger (1965)/Hercules And The Black Pirate [DVD](1964) DVD
Reg Park excels as the muscular hero in "Hercules the Avenger," journeying into the underworld to save his son from the clutches of Gaea, the wicked Earth goddess. Meanwhile, Gaea's son travels to Earth and masquerades as a villainous Herc. Sharp-eyed viewers will spot stock footage from "Hercules and the Captive Women" and "Hercules in the Haunted World." With Gia Sandri. Next, Alan Steel stars as "Captain Hercules" in the rousing (if anachronistic) sea saga "Hercules and the Black Pirate," fighting the title villain and a governor's ruthless advisor while trying to win the hand of the governor's beautiful daughter. With Anna Arena. 170 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English (dubbed) Dolby Digital mono.
Hercules And The Captive Women (1963)/Hercules, Prisoner Of Evil [DVD](1964) DVD
Reg Park flexes his pecs as the mythological strongman, out to save his son from the thrall of the evil queen of Atlantis. He must overcome mystic hordes and a deadly dragon if he is to thwart her schemes of conquest, in "Hercules and the Captive Women." Fay Spain, Ettore Manni also star. And, in "Hercules, Prisoner of Evil," Park confronts a witch who has incredible, mystical powers which enable her to turn men into werewolves. Wah-oooooo! Werewolves of Athens! 180 min. total. Widescreen (Enhanced)/Standard; Soundtrack: English (dubbed) Dolby Digital mono. Dubbed in English.
Hercules And The Captive Women(1963) VHS
Reg Park flexes his pecs as the mythological strongman, out to save his son from the thrall of the evil queen of Atlantis. He must overcome mystic hordes and a deadly dragon if he is to thwart her schemes of conquest. Fay Spain, Ettore Manni. 93 min.
Hercules, Prisoner Of Evil(1964) VHS
Reg Park, the Italian master of sweaty sinews and superhuman strength, confronts a witch who has incredible, mystical powers which enable her to turn men into werewolves. Wa-eeeeww! Werewolves of Athens!
Maciste In King Solomon's Mines(1964) VHS
The once proud Maciste is reduced to slave mining when a magic talisman of the wizard Fazira strips him of his will to fight. Reg Park and Dan Harrison star in this European sword-and-sandal fantasy. Dubbed in English.
reg park dvds available from amazon.com
filmography
Hercules, the Avenger (1965) (aka Challenge of the Giant)
Maciste in King Solomon's Mines (aka Samson in King Solomon's Mines) (1964) with Dan Harrison and Carlo Tamberlani
Hercules, Prisoner of Evil (aka Ursus, the Terror of the Kirghiz) (1964)
Hercules and the Captive Women (1961) with Fay Spain
Hercules in the Haunted World (aka Hercules at the Center of the Earth) (1961) with Christopher Lee; directed by Mario Bava
reg park links
Reg Park: The Legend
Visit this authorized site for autographed photos, biographical information, and more about Reg Park.
Go to the Reg Park Gallery page
Go to the Other Hercules Heroes page, featuring Peter and David Paul, Paul Wynter, and Richard Lloyd.
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This page premiered February 1, 1998.
Counter reset March 1, 2001.
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