Career
After attending Rochester University, he moved to Los Angeles, transferring to University of California, Los Los Angeles He enlisted in the Coast Guard in World World War II, serving until discharge due to injury. He completed his degree in physical therapy. Tanny, the younger brother of fitness entrepreneur Vic Tanny, was a weightlifter prior to becoming a bodybuilder.
He placed first in both the 1949 Pro.
Mr. America and the 1950 Mr. United States of America competitions. Later, as one of a group of bodybuilders in Mae West"s nightclub act, he organized a strike when West attempted to reduce pay of the group.
He spent much of his career writing about fitness, and was featured in numerous bodybuilding magazines.