Hulk-a-mania: Lou Ferrigno named honorary Syracuse police officer

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Hulk-a-mania arrived with a smash in upstate New York on Monday.

Not the pro wrestling guy. Lou Ferrigno, who portrayed the green, giant-sized superhero in “The Incredible Hulk” television series from 1977 to 1982, was named an honorary officer by the Syracuse Police Department.

Ferrigno, 70, was in Syracuse to film his first horror movie, “The Hermit,” the Syracuse Post-Standard reported. Taking a 180-degree turn, Ferrigno’s latest role is of a murderous, cannibalistic pig farmer, according to the newspaper.

Ferrigno served as a sheriff’s deputy in California for 17 years, WSYR-TV reported. The actor said he wants to highlight the importance of police departments to the communities they serve.

“In situations where there’s so much shooting, there’s so much crime, like what happened in Buffalo, what happened in Texas,” Ferrigno told reporters. “It’s important to have that respect for officers, because if it wasn’t for us, everybody’s life would be in danger.”

Ferrigno, who was born in Brooklyn, New York, is the son of a New York City police officer, the Post-Standard reported.

The bodybuilder-turned-actor was appointed by Syracuse Police Chief Joe Cecile, WSTM-TV reported.

“I wanted to be an officer because I wanted to get back to protecting life and property,” Ferrigno told reporters.

1978: "The Incredible Hulk" cast member Lou Ferrigno as the Hulk. The television program originally aired on CBS from March 1978 to June 1982.

1979: Lou Ferrigno and Dolly Parton pose for a photo on Sept. 22, 1979.

1988: A protrait of Lou Ferrigno, aka "The Incredible Hulk," in 1988.

1994: Lou Ferrigno during the Cricket Aid ’94 Celebrity Event at Will Rogers State Park in Los Angeles on Oct. 29, 1994.

2001: Lou Ferrigno; his wife, Carla; and his son, Brent, at the premiere of "Extreme Days" at the Bridge Theater in Los Angeles on Sept. 24, 2001.

2002: Veteran physical fitness expert Jack LaLanne (center) poses with bodybuilders Mickey Hargitay (left) and Lou Ferrigno as LaLanne receives his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on September 26, 2002, in Hollywood, California.

2003: Marvel Comics Stan Lee and the original Hulk, Lou Ferrigno, attend the world premiere of the movie "The Hulk" at Universal Studios on June 17, 2003, in Universal City, California.

2004: Larry Thompson, William Shatner and Lou Ferrigno arrive at the champagne reception for "Shine" on November 16, 2004, at Brentano’s Bookstore in Los Angeles.

2005: Actor Lou Ferrigno and Hulk Hogan arrive at the fifth annual Taurus World Stunt Awards on September 25, 2005, in Los Angeles.

2006: Actor Lou Ferrigno, co-chair of the Wildlife WayStation Arthur Kassel, Editor in Chief of Playboy Magazine Hugh Hefner and playmate Holly Madison pose for photos during the 12th annual Safari Brunch, a fundraiser for the Wildlife Waystation held at the Playboy Mansion on October 14, 2006, in Beverly Hills, California.

2007: Lou Ferrigno speaks onstage during Spike TV’s "Scream 2007" held at the Greek Theatre on October 19, 2007, in Los Angeles.

2008: Actor Lou Ferrigno attends "The Incredible Hulk" film premiere at Universal Studios on June 8, 2008, in Universal City, California.

2009: Actor Lou Ferrigno and wife Carla Ferrigno arrive at the premiere of Sony Pictures’ "This Is It" held at Nokia Theatre Downtown LA on October 27, 2009, in Los Angeles.

2010: Lou Ferrigno (right) and Carla Ferrigno attend Reza Badiyi’s 80th Birthday Celebration at UCLA’s Royce Hall on April 25, 2010, in Los Angeles.

2011: Actor Lou Ferrigno attends the Starkey Hearing Foundation’s "So the World May Hear Awards Gala" 2011 at River Centre on July 24, 2011, in St. Paul, Minnesota.

2012: Actor Lou Ferrigno arrives with wife Carla at Norby Walters’ 22nd annual Night of 100 Stars Viewing Gala at the Beverly Hills Hotel on February 26, 2012, in Beverly Hills, California.

2013: Actor Lou Ferrigno reacts after throwing the ceremonial first pitch of the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on May 30, 2013, in Philadelphia.

2014: Actor Mark Ruffalo (left) and actor Lou Ferrigno attend the signing for "Avengers: Age of Ultron" during Day 3 of Comic-Con International 2014 at the San Diego Comic Convention on July 26, 2014, in San Diego.

2015: Executive producer/creator Stan Lee and Actor Lou Ferrigno attend the premiere of Marvel’s "Avengers: Age of Ultron" at Dolby Theatre on April 13, 2015, in Hollywood, California.

2016: Actors Nolan North (left) and Lou Ferrigno attend the "Con Man" panel during Comic-Con International 2016 at San Diego Convention Center on July 22, 2016, in San Diego.

2017: Actor Lou Ferrigno and actor Terry Crews attend the Marvel Universe LIVE! Age of Heroes World Premiere Celebrity Red Carpet Event at Staples Center on July 8, 2017, in Los Angeles.

2018: Steve Orosco and Lou Ferrigno attend SMASH Global VIII Night of Champions at Taglyan Cultural Complex on December 13, 2018, in Hollywood, California.

2020: Lou Ferigno and Carla Ferigno arrive at the seventh annual Gold Meets Golden at Virginia Robinson Gardens and Estate on January 4, 2020, in Los Angeles.