Background
Bonomo, Joe was born on December 25, 1901 in New York City. Son of Albert and Esther (Juaka) Bonomo.
Bonomo, Joe was born on December 25, 1901 in New York City. Son of Albert and Esther (Juaka) Bonomo.
Student in public schools, New York City, New York Military Academy, Cornwall-on-Hudson, New New York
As a child Bonomo built himself into a strongman winning the "Mr Modern Apollo" contest of 1921 where the prizes included a ten-week movie contract. He began as a stunt double soon doubling for Lon Chaney in The Hunchback of Notre Dame then playing a variety of roles. He lost the role of Tarzan in Tarzan the Mighty when he injured himself before shooting.
When sound came, Bonomo"s strong Brooklyn accent precluded him from most film roles but he reportedly retained his fame in magazine adverts offering bodybuilding by mail order.
Married Ethel-Ramona Newman, February 11, 1930.