Shortly after the Prowse/Mayhew interview, Lou Ferrigno, best known for starring opposite Bill Bixby as The Incredible Hulk, took the stage for a more audience interactive Q&A session, as several fans lined up at the designated microphones at the sides of the Main Stage. Ferrigno was accompanied by film critic Tony Toscano, who helped to rephrase/repeat audience questions so Ferrigno, having lost more than 75% percent of his hearing to childhood infections, could read his lips.
Fan questions ranged from his rivalry with Arnold Schwarzenegger to his time on the series to even when both Bixby and Ferrigno were visited by Fred Rogers for an episode of Mister Roger’s Neighborhood.
“I was honored…” Ferrigno says. “He’s such a wonderful icon with children and that one episode was seen by more people, fans throughout the world, more than anything I’ve ever done.”
Ferrigno also shared a funny moment from when they were shooting the second pilot for The Incredible Hulk.
“I had to do this scene for the second pilot where I had to fight the bear,” Ferrigno says. “We had to do the scene for the fifth time, I’m underwater, [I] have to give it about 4 or 5 seconds…I come to the surface and the whole crew is laughing…In the corner of my eye, I see the wig floating down the river.”
Throughout the even, Ferrigno was very enthusiastic when it came to fan questions and wasn’t about cracking a few jokes here and there, whether it was at the expense of Schwarzenegger or even at the expense of Toscano.
The event came to a close with Ferrigno discussing how he’s opened the door for the hearing impaired when it comes to working in Hollywood and closed with a stirring inspirational speech.
“One thing I have to say [is that] everyone is handicapped one way or another,” Ferrigno says. “If I did not have this hearing problem, I would not be what I am today…It’s all about maximizing your own personal power!”
More coverage of Salt Lake Comic Con will be coming soon, so keep checking The Globe for more updates.
