Joe Abbenda (born July 4, 1939) is an American former professional

bodybuilder Bodybuilding is the use of progressive resistance exercise to control and develop one's muscles (muscle building) by muscle hypertrophy for aesthetic purposes. It is distinct from similar activities such as powerlifting because it focuses o ...

during the early to mid-1960s. He competed in the tall man competitions, and as an amateur won the Teen Mr. America in 1959,

AAU Mr. America The Mr. America contest is a bodybuilding competition started by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). It was first held on July 4, 1939, and the winner was named "America's Best Built Man". In 1940 this was changed to what is now known as the Mr. A ...

and the amateur NABBA Mr. Universe competition in 1962, and was the professional winner a year later, in the 1963 Mr. Universe. He is of Italian descent, and at the time of competing in championships, was one of only two Italian-Americans to have done so. He attended

Adelphi University Adelphi University is a private university in Garden City, New York. Adelphi also has centers in Manhattan, Hudson Valley, and Suffolk County. There is also a virtual, online campus for remote students. It is the oldest institution of higher ed ...

in 1957.

List of competitions

Media appearances

Joe Abbenda has been featured in magazines such as ''Health and Strength'', ''IronMan'', ''Strength and Health'', and ''Muscular Development''. He appeared as himself on the April 1, 1963 episode of '' To Tell the Truth'', not receiving any of the four possible votes.

References

1939 births Living people American bodybuilders American people of Italian descent Male bodybuilders People associated with physical culture Professional bodybuilders {{US-bodybuilding-bio-stub