Jack LaLanne and my Dad

Jack LaLanne

Jack LaLanne was not only one of the greatest fitness influencers of his generation, having established the first fitness TV show on US television but was also a classmate of my Dad’s.

Bob Kurtz Sr. was one grade younger than Jack LaLanne having been born in 1916. They attended Berkely High School and played on the football team together. Bob Sr. played as a lineman while LaLanne was quarterback and always spoke very kindly of him

Though Jack LaLanne later developed a reputation for being a vain and self-centered bodybuilder who posed for publicity in any way he could, I always found him to be a generous and personable man.

Muscle Power magazine Edited by Earl Liederman features Jack LaLanne on the cover in the 1940s.

The well spoken LaLanne defied the dumb bodybuilder stereotype and went on to become the first bodybuilder to have his own morning TV show which ran nationally in syndication 1951-1985.

YOUR FATHER'S
LEXERCISE
2 NUTRITION
3 POSITIVE THINKING
4 GOOD HABITS
5 GROOMING
6. SMILE
7. POSTURE
8. HELP OTHERS
9. RELAXATION
10. FAITH

When I got old enough and went to visit his Gym in Oakland, they recognized my name

Jack LaLanne photographed nude in black and white by Bob Mizer, sitting on a 1940s style office stool.
And best of all he posed nude for Bob Mizer in the 40s, even if only one pic survives.

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