Peter Lupus
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Peter Lupus is an American bodybuilder and actor, born in Indianapolis, Indiana on June 17, 1932. Standing 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm) with a developed physique, Lupus earned the titles of Mr. Indianapolis, Mr. Indiana, Mr. Hercules and Mr. International Health Physique. Lupus was one of many bodybuilders who followed Steve Reeves into the sword and sandal films of the late 1950s and early 1960s, occasionally credited as Rock Stevens for such films as Hercules Against The Tyrants of Babylon and Muscle Beach Party.
He is best remembered, though, for the role of Willy Armitage on the original Mission: Impossible television series in the 1960s. Armitage was the team's strong man, featuring in nearly all episodes of the series. He initially played the strong, silent type, usually with very little dialogue. Late in the show's run - for season five - he was dropped to recurring status, appearing in little-over half of that season's episodes, but was returned to regular status the following season and given a greater role in the stories. Lupus was one of only two actors to sustain a regular role through the show's entire run.
Other television work included a guest spot as Tarzan on Jack Benny's television show, and the recurring role of Detective Nordberg on the short-lived sitcom Police Squad! (a part taken by O.J. Simpson for the Naked Gun film series).
Lupus' second claim to fame beyond his television work was as one of the first name male actors to pose fully nude for Playgirl magazine in April 1974. Lupus in some ways became the magazine's flagship pinup for the decade, not unlike Barbi Benton at Playboy, with photographs of him in a number of issues. He has distanced himself from the magazine since the 1980s and has declined further pictorials in later years.
Lupus attended the Jordan College of Fine Arts at Butler University, where he also played football and basketball. He graduated in 1954.
He and his wife Sharon have a son, Peter Lupus III, who is also an actor.
Peter Lupus currently runs a nutrition company.
