biography Born in Secaucus, New Jersey on April 16, 1942, Dave Draper grew up in New Jersey. Early on, he developed a passion for bodybuilding, and as a teenager he was very athletic and involved in high school sports. Bodybuilding won out, however, and in 1963 he won the title of Mr. New Jersey. He then relocated to Santa Monica, California, as the bodybuilding scene in that part of the U.S. had exploded in the 1940s and 1950s with Muscle Beach competitions. He went to work for Joe Weider's bodybuilding equipment business and spent much time working out at Muscle Beach with renowned, established bodybuilders such as Joe Gold and Zabo Koszewski. His efforts were very successful, as he won the 1965 Mr. America, 1966 Mr. Universe, and 1970 Mr. World competitions.     
Draper as David the Gladiator (thanks to Peter Vlachoutsakos, Kevin Norwood, and Vickie Wees)Although Dave Draper never acted in a sword and sandal film, from 1964 to 1965 he was host of a Los Angeles TV program with an emphasis on sword and sandal movies. Billed as "David the Gladiator," Draper hosted a movie each Saturday night on Channel 9. The station was then known as KHJ-TV, owned by RKO. Dressed in gladiator leathers, Draper hosted a sword and sandal movie from 8-10 PM, on Saturday nights beginning in 1964. The program lasted for about a year or so, and the movies that were run featured Steve Reeves, Reg Park, and Kirk Morris, among others. (Thanks to Leonard Lane for this information.) And Kevin Norwood writes that he remembers Draper's show: I was in first grade and couldn't wait for the weekend to catch it!    
LEFT: Betty Weider and Dave Draper in a late 1960s shot used for a health drink advertisement (thanks to Peter). CENTER A: Weider and Draper in a photo used for the May 1969 cover of Mr. America (thanks to Harold Forsko). Visit The Betty Weider Website to see the original ad. And visit Dave Draper's IronOnline site to see the original cover. CENTER B and RIGHT: Bodybuilding pictures of Dave Draper from the late 1960s (thanks to Harold Forsko and Peter Vlachoutsakos)Very charismatic and a natural on screen, Draper made several film and TV appearances in the 1960s, including the United Artists black comedy Lord Love a Duck (1966; with Roddy McDowall and Tuesday Weld), Columbia's Three on a Couch (1966; with Jerry Lewis and Janet Leigh), and the MGM comedy Don't Make Waves (1967; with Tony Curtis, Claudia Cardinale, and Sharon Tate). Also, he made a 1967 appearance as Mr. Universe on the CBS-TV show The Beverly Hillbillies. In addition, he made appearances on The Monkees (1966-1968) and Here Come the Brides (1968-1970). Draper eventually ceased his acting career for business endeavors and managed the World Gym in Santa Cruz, California.    
More photos of Dave Draper. The right photo is from the 1965 Mr. America competition |
the films of dave draperDon't Make Waves (1967)   
From the MGM comedy Don't Make Waves. LEFT and CENTER A: With Sharon Tate. CENTER B: With Tony Curtis. RIGHT: With Claudia Cardinale and Tony Curtislater yearsAfter Dave Draper embraced sobriety in the early 1980s, he rebuilt his career and life mission from the ground up. Beginning in the 1990s, Draper's Iron Online site became an important, early web-based resource for all who wanted tips and advice regading bodybuilding training. He was also a prolific writer and published a number of books on the subject of bodybuilding and his personal journey. Sadly, Dave Draper he passed away quietly on November 30, 2021, at the age of 79. He is survived by his wife, Laree.the dave draper gallery  
LEFT: March 1970 cover of Mr. America, featuring Draper and Betty Weider. (Thanks to Harold Forsko.) CENTER: December 1963 cover of Muscle Builder with Dave Draper. RIGHT: August 1968 cover of Mr. America                |
filmographyFILM
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