MovieChat Forums > Pumping Iron (1977) Discussion > Mike Katz

Mike Katz

posted 16 years ago by sheila_schumacher
14 replies | jump to latest

Did anyone else cry when Mike lost? I wanted to see the movie for years and finally bought it when it came out on DVD and the first time I was just stunned when he lost. His head down, you can almost see him breaking down, and then talking about his kids back home. I cried. I wanted to give him a hug through the TV though it had taken place 25 years earlier. He talked about how he had been the underdog his whole life, and getting hurt playing football, and how he had been made fun of as a kid. His story is truly inspiring. He was the emcee at the '09 Jay Cutler show and I knew it was him as he was walking up before they introduced him. Still wanted to give him that hug. :) (BTW, I'm a girl!)

[–] !!!deleted!!! (1688273) 16 years ago

I've never heard an unkind word said of Mike Katz. I don't know him personally, but he seems like a really nice fella. I'm a Dave Draper fan myself- he's a true hero of the sport.

[–] purestevil 16 years ago

well im a guy and i nearly cried when mike katz lost, but what a good loser, he didnt b!tch about it, he took it like a man, credit to him

[–] jybugsy33 16 years ago

I totally agree. Katz was a true class act. Even through all the adversity that he went through in his life, he held onto his dream. I think its because he's such a great person (father, friend, etc.) that it hurt the most when he lost. I felt bad for Lou Ferrigno, but Mike was just more heartfelt. As an athlete, I can totally relate to wanting something really hard and falling just short; I'm sure we all can. Ken Waller is a great guy too (it's unfortunate he got booed for years after this movie at competitions for essentially coming off as a prick), I think he just was cast in a bad light. It was amazing how close they all were, even the egocentric Austrian Oak was close to all of them too. Great great flick, one of my favs.

[–] oscars075-1 15 years ago

It just sucks he wasn't even in the top 3 too, that pissed me off cause he was way better built than Roger Walker. Mike Katz is the man.

[–] darksorcerer 15 years ago

Mike Katz story was very heart felt.
Poor fella.....though even worse was the fact that according to wikipedia...he hasnt actually come 1st or even 2nd in any comp?

Competitive history
1964 AAU Teen Mr. America; 4th Place
1964 AAU Teen Mr. America Most Muscular, 5th Place
1969 IFBB Mr. America Tall, 40th Place
1970 IFBB Mr. America Tall & Overall, 4th Place
1970 AAU Mr. East Coast Tall & Overall, 4th Place
1971 IFBB Universe Tall, 3rd Place
1971 Beat Brandon Lewi for the Heavyweight Championship of the World
1972 IFBB Mr. International Tall, 4th Place
1972 IFBB Universe Tall, 4th Place
1973 IFBB Universe Tall, 3rd Place
1974 IFBB Mr. International Tall, - 4th Place
1974 GLAAD names Mike Katz the Man of the Century
1975 IFBB Universe Tall, 4th Place
1976 Mr. Olympia Heavyweight, 4th Place
1980 NBA Natural Mr. America Professional, 4th Place
1980 IFBB World Pro Championships Did Not Place
1980 Retired after losing to Cooper Hayman in the National Strongman Competition
1981 Mr. Olympia 15th Place

It makes me feel for him even more now..knowing in hindsite that he kept trying and trying and just never got there.

don't point that beard at me, it might go off... Groucho marx

[–] SEAL412 15 years ago

Yea, I think He did win Mr. America at one point... just not sure when. And as for what the OP said, that part kills me when he loses. You can see pure disappointment in his face. Him and Ferrigno both. But Katz really got to me. ANd yea he was bigger than the guys he beat.

Katz is the man

[–] darksorcerer 15 years ago

Mike Katz is tha man.

I liked how he said "i gotta shake his hand" ... pure sportsmanship

don't point that beard at me, it might go off... Groucho marx

[–] OvertonPendulum (4026) 4 years ago

Katz has poor genetics when it comes to proportions. Like Waller said, his chest is too big for his arms. You can't get far with shit genetics in bodybuilding.

[–] vicky_lc2001-1 12 years ago

I felt bad for him too, he was the underdog you were rooting for. I could also relate to his experience to being bullied as a kid, I wanted him to win for us. Plus, he seemed like a genuinely sweet guy too.

Global Warming, it's a personal decision innit? - Nigel Tufnel

[–] DightBrdf 10 years ago

I agree with the posts here, my respect for Katz hit the ceiling when I saw how he handled defeat. He was obviously devasted to the point where he almost looks lost, but he was pure class. If only more people could show that much class in our dark hours, the world would be a much better place.

[–] Conquerer13 9 years ago

You could definitely see all the emotion on his face and his body language. He was crushed, yet his positive character was trying to be happy for Waller. His sportsmanship was through the roof even though he was struggling with his own loss more than anything else -- to the point that his being happy for Waller sounded almost like sarcasm. Not saying it was at all, just that he was so down and he couldn't possibly hide his disappointment, even through his own humility.

But yeah I was surprised and that was a sad moment to see, especially since I thought he looked much bigger and better than Waller, yet he didn't even make the podium...

[–] tkdnj 8 years ago

I recently met Mike in person at a "Chiller Theatre Expo" in NJ. He is everything you see in the movie. Such an incredibly nice guy. He was always on of my favorites from the Golden Era of bodybuilding, and I was very excited to meet him in person. I was not let down! He was down to earth, humble, and just a great guy. Seems he loves his fans

Bill Grant was there with him, and he was also a very nice guy.

[–] DoctorBuster 8 years ago

Yeah, same. And he was a good sport too.

#DocBustersUncle4President

[–] [deleted] 7 years ago

Katz somehow reminded me of Charlie Brown in this.