Education
Katz attended Southern Connecticut State College, graduating in 1966.
Katz attended Southern Connecticut State College, graduating in 1966.
He worked as a Junior. High School gym teacher while training as an amateur bodybuilder. Katz cited bullying in his youth, for being Jewish and wearing glasses, as inspiration for weight training. He was known for his role as the underdog in the 1975 Mr.
Universe competition, where he refused to give up on himself despite placing 4th place in the Tall division.
Katz later went professional and qualified for the 1976 Mr. Olympia, placing 2nd in the heavyweight division 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 pro football player with the New York Jets before ending his NFL career with a leg injury in 1968. The film was an Official Selection of the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival.
Competitive statistics
Height: 6 ft 1 in (185 m)
Competition Weight: 240 lb (109 kg)
Office Season Weight: 250–260 lb (113–118 kg)
Competitive history
1963 Mr.
Connecticut 2nd
1963 Mr. Insurance City 9th
1964 Amateur Athletic Union Teen Mr. America; 4th Place
1964 Amateur Athletic Union Teen Mr.
America Most Muscular, 5th Place
1965 Mr.
New England States 1st
1969 IFBB Mr. America Tall, 40th Place
1970 IFBB Mr.
America Tall & Overall, 4th Place
1970 Amateur Athletic Union 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, 4th Place
1972 IFBB Universe Tall, 4th 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 National Basketball Association 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.