Mike Katz

Michael Katz (born November 14, 1944) is a former American 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.

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.

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.

Early life
Katz was born in New Haven, Connecticut to Israel George and Anna Elsie Katz, and had an older sister, Linda. Katz's mother was a Swedish immigrant.

Competitive statistics

 * Height: 6ft 2in
 * Competition Weight: 240 lb
 * Off Season Weight: 250-260 lb

Competitive history

 * 1963 Mr. Connecticut 2nd
 * 1963 Mr. Insurance City 9th
 * 1964 AAU Teen Mr. America; 4th Place
 * 1964	AAU Teen Mr. America 	Most Muscular, 5th Place
 * 1965 Mr. New England States 1st
 * 1969	IFBB Mr. America 	Tall, 2nd 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, 2nd Place
 * 1972 IFBB Mr. World tall & Overall 1st
 * 1972	IFBB Universe 	Tall, 1st Place
 * 1973	IFBB Universe 	Tall, 3rd Place
 * 1974	IFBB Mr. International 	Tall, - 4th Place
 * 1975	IFBB Universe 	Tall, 4th Place
 * 1976 Mr. Olympia 	Over 200 lbs, 2nd 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