Mike Katz Net Worth, Income, Salary, Earnings, Biography

Michael Katz (born November 14, 1944) is a former American IFBB professional bodybuilder and former professional football player with the New York Jets. He is best known for his appearance with Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1977 bodybuilding documentary film Pumping Iron, in which he and Schwarzenegger compete against each other. Katz attended Southern Connecticut State College, where he received his bachelor’s degree in 1966. As an amateur bodybuilder, he worked as a gym instructor at a junior high school while also training as a gym teacher. Katz cites bullying he experienced as a child because he was Jewish and wore spectacles as the source of his motivation for weight training. He was well-known for his position as the underdog in the 1975 Mr. Universe competition, in which he refused to give up on himself after being fourth in the Tall category and ranking fourth overall. Following that, Katz pursued a professional career and qualified for the 1976 Mr. Olympia competition, where he finished 2nd in the heavyweight category in what was considered his peak form (Katz had greatly improved his proportions, considered his main flaw as a competitor). Mike Katz was also a professional football player who played for the New York Jets before being forced to retire due to a knee injury in 1968. Challenging Impossibility (film) featured Katz as a guest commentator on the weightlifting adventure of spiritual teacher and peace campaigner Sri Chinmoy, who was featured in the documentary. As an Official Selection of the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival, the film received critical acclaim.

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