Peplum genre and wrestling

The PEPLUM genre is often associated with bodybuilders like Steve Reeves and Mark Forest but the genre also has a direct connection with another sport, wrestling. Many actors of the genre started as  wrestlers or a combination of stuntman / body double / circus performer / wrestler (phew!). This is fairly common in the Italian PEPLUM universe. The PEPLUM explosion that started with the success of HERCULES (1958) coincided with the Golden Era of the professional wrestling back in the 1950s. Here's just a small sample of wrestlers who made it in Euro Sword & Sandals.


Mike Lane

Super tall at 6'8", Mike made only one film but it's one of my favourites, ULYSSES AGAINST HERCULES. Lane played a beardless and very tall Hercules. Georges Marchal was Ulysses.

Joe Robinson

Primo Carnera and Joe Robinson in A KID FOR TWO FARTHINGS. Both wrestlers would make films in Italy. Joe would appear in many lead roles and supporting roles, including BARABBAS co-starring Jack Palance. More on Primo below.

Primo Carnera

Primo was a world champion boxer who also had a career in wrestling. He would work part time as an actor, including the now legendary fight between Antaeus (Primo) and Hercules, played by bodybuilder Steve Reeves, in HERCULES UNCHAINED.

Samson Burke

Montrealer Samson Burke was once a wrestler who became a bodybuilder and would eventually end up appearing in several PEPLUM films, including VENGEANCE OF URSUS