About Mike Katz
Michael Katz (born November 14, 1944) is an American former IFBB professional bodybuilder and former professional football player with the New York Jets, most famous for his appearance with Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1977 bodybuilding documentary film Pumping Iron. He was paid $1,000 to sign a release for appearing in the film. On 1 March, 2025, Mike Katz was presented with a Lifetime Achievement award by Arnold Schwarzenegger at the 2025 Arnold Strongman Classic in Columbus, Ohio. Mike Katz played football for Southern Connecticut State University and pro football for the New York Jets before ending his football career with a leg injury in 1968. He was inducted into the Southern Connecticut State University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2004. Katz appeared in the documentary Challenging Impossibility, commenting on the weightlifting odyssey of spiritual teacher and peace advocate Sri Chinmoy. The film was an Official Selection of the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival. He is Jewish, and was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and Museum.
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