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Throughout the decades, there have been thousands of Staten Island bodybuilders who have trained with weights and competed on the physique stage. Here we present those who left a lasting impression during the Island's golden era of bodybuilding and beyond.
Multi-title winner, George Orland displays a well-balanced and powerful physique as he graces the cover of Bob Hoffman’s Strength & Health magazine – 1960
A much admired and popular crewman for the Staten Island Ferry, champion bodybuilder Art Harris flexes his muscular physique on the cover of Joe Weider’s Muscle Builder magazine - 1965
Flawless symmetry and Hollywood looks made Larry Powers a natural for physique publications. Here, the 1965 Mr. Staten Island champion displays his stuff on the cover of Joe Weider’s Mr. America magazine. To learn more about Larry Powers please CLICK HERE
Multi-titl In the history of bodybuilding on Staten Island, no one has ever been more popular or respected than legendary Leon Brown. The former Mr. Staten Island champion has trained, competed against, and beaten some of the biggest names in the sport. To learn more about Leon Brown CLICK HERE
Jerry Valente was Lou Ferrigno’s training partner until an on-the-job accident nearly killed him. Eventually, Jerry rehabilitated himself to competition level. He was a positive role model for up-and-coming bodybuilders during the 70-80s. To learn more about Jerry Valente CLICK HERE
Russell Cunningham, the 1976 Mr. Staten Island champion, was also runner-up in the teen division of the WBBG Pro Mr. America of that same year. Russell was a no-nonsense type of guy, who openly displayed a bullet lodged in his muscular abdomen. He was hard-core to the bone, and placed high in the 1980 AAU Mr. New York City competition.
Mario Strong overcame physical adversities at a young age to create a championship physique. The 1977 Mr. Staten Island winner is best-known for opening the first bodybuilding gym on Staten Island (1976) and for the hundreds of published muscle-building articles he penned. Today, this steadfast physical culturist leads as a shining example of the benefits that healthy living provides.To learn more about Mario Strong CLICK HERE
No one ever trained harder than Frank Rapacciuolo! In the 70-80s, Frank used his learned expertise to help many bodybuilders succeed in the sport. Here, the 1978 Mr. Staten Island champion flexes his muscular physique for the crowd.
Joe Carrero’s “Fortitude Creates Champions” attitude helped him explode onto the bodybuilding scene in 1979. The native Staten Island bodybuilder went on to become a national champion as he dominated the American physique stage for a span of fourteen years. To learn more about Joe Carrero CLICK HERE
Lou Di Bella, the 1979 Mr. Staten Island champion, loved bodybuilding so much that he cut his honeymoon short so he could compete in the 1978 version of the show. Lou would go on to eventually open his own bodybuilding gym in New Jersey named the Iron Age. His motto was "No Guts - No Glory!"
Sigrid Taylor won the Staten Island Bodybuilding Championship in 1982 and 1983. She returned to the posing dais a decade later and won the title again for an unprecedented third time. Here she displays the winning form that made her a dominating figure during that era.
FDNY Lieutenant Eddie D’Atri was a well-known bodybuilder on Staten Island and a dedicated leader at Squad 1 in Brooklyn. The 1987 Mr. Staten Island champion was last seen on 9/11 going up a staircase in Tower 1 of the World Trade Center to be with his fellow firefighters. To learn more about FDNY Lt. Eddie D'Atri please CLICK HERE
In 2011, 46 year-old Staten Island bodybuilding champion Jimmy White returned to the physique stage after more than two decades away from the spotlights. The FDNY firefighter, who presents a muscular and symmetrical physique, is well-known throughout the Island’s gyms for his hard work and dedication to the sport. To learn more about Jimmy White please CLICK HERE
Staten Island bodybuilder Danielle Kalish flexes her muscles one day after turning 40. The popular physique choreographer and trainer has helped many up-and-coming stars with the art of physical display.
John Lutrario was one of Staten Island’s hardest training bodybuilders during the 80s. Through years of sweat and pain he transformed his physique into championship form - good enough to win the title of Mr. Staten Island in 1986. John never competed again citing concerns of steroid abuse. Today he manages Fiberama Home Improvements on the Island and elsewhere.
In the 80/90s, a consistent competitor on the bodybuilding scene was Larry Morocco. Larry has a string of titles to his credit including that of winning the coveted New Jersey Cup in 1986. In 1989 he was crowned Mr. Staten Island and in 1991 Larry was the overall champion at both the Rich Gaspari Classic and also the Atlantic States Masters. Larry Morocco has also won many division titles throughout the years and is the recipient of the Mario Strong Staten Island Bodybuilding Award.
Scott Appelbaum started his bodybuilding career back in 1987 when he first walked onto a bodybuilding stage and competed in the Mr. Staten Island competition. To learn more about Scott Appelbaum CLICK HERE
Tee J Hewitt’s competitive career in bodybuilding spans three decades. Since the early 1980s, the Staten Island bodybuilder has been a consistent fixture in the competitive arena. On stage, Jamelle presented balanced proportions, dense muscularity, and flawless symmetry.
Joe Bell was a dominate force on the Staten Island bodybuilding stage in the 80s. He capitalized on his popularity by opening a successful Bath Beach Bodybuilding Gym on the Island. Joe's well proportioned and muscular physique helped him win the coveted Mr. Staten Island title in 1988.
Tom’s mass monster mentality would bring him a string of physique awards as he became one of the main faces in the close-knit Staten Island bodybuilding community. He is one of the few original Island muscle builders that has lasted through the test of time.
In 1995, the Staten Island bodybuilding show was billed as the "Night of Champions," where many past winners of the competition were recognized for their achievements in the sport. Here, John Prestia adds himself to the list by winning the much sought after title.
Patrick DeLuca was huge and had enormous muscular power with a matching symmetrical frame. He was a former Mr. Florida winner that trained heavy. It made you wonder how the barbells he lifted did not snap from the stress he placed on them. To learn more about Patrick DeLuca CLICK HERE
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