Steve Reeves, Mr. America/actor, born 1926

Handsome, muscular Steve Reeves, born January 21, 1926 in Glasgow, Montana, weas a professional bodybuilder and actor, being the number one box office draw in 25 countries in 1960.

He moved with his mother to California when he was ten after his father died in a farming accident.  He discovered an interest in bodybuilding and began training in Oakland, California.  He served in the Philippines during WWII.

After the war, he began competing in bodybuilding and won the titles of Mr. America 1947, Mr. World 1948, and Mr. Universe 1950.  Then he was contacted by an agent about going into acting.  

Reeves mainly appeared in roles that showed off his physique, such as Hercules, gladiators, and a Tarzan-ish role in Kimbar of the Jungle. A shoulder injury during the filming of The Last Days of Pompeii in 1959 ultimately led to his retirement from filmmaking.

Reeves passed away in May 2000 from a blood clot while be treated for lymphoma.

He apparently had some comedic talent as well, as he appeared in the George Burns and Gracie Allen Show:

"Xena: Warrior Princess" premieres 1995

Xena: Warrior Princess, a spin-off of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, premiered on television September 4, 1995 and became a cult classic almost overnight.  It quickly eclipsed Hercules in the ratings and is still one of the biggest top culture shows ever.

It starred Lucy Lawless as the title character and Renee O'Connor as Gabrielle, the sidekick.  Joxer would show up later.

The premise of the series is Xena, a warlord (warlady?) or "Destroyer of Nations" has decided to change her ways and become good.  She teams up with Gabrielle as they travel the countryside standing up for the greater good.

The series ended in 2001.

Reg Park, bodybuilder/actor born 1928

Reg Park, born June 7, 1922 in Leeds, England, was a bodybuilder and actor, but also Arnold Schwarzenegger's idol and mentor.  He entered his first Mr. Britain contest in 1946 (coming in 4th) but won the title in 1949.  After that, he went to the U.S. and met publisher Joe Weider, who began to feature Park prominently in his Muscle & Fitness magazine.

Park came in second to Steve Reeves (another bodybuilder/actor) in 1950 for the inaugural Mr. Universe in London.  He broke the American monopoly on bodybuilding titles by winning Mr. Universe in 1951, 1958 and 1965.  He was edged out of the title in 1970 by Arnold Schwarzenegger. 

In the 1960s, he starred in five Italian 'sword and sandals' movies as Hercules (4) and one as Samson.  He met Arnold in the 1960s when the Austrian was training in London.  Park became Arnold's idol, mentor, and close friend.  He encouraged Arnold to appear in Hercules in New York in 1970.

Park was inducted into the IFBB Hall of Fame in 1999.

He passed away at his home in Johannesburg, South Africa from melanoma in 2007.