CHRIS DICKERSON was born on this date (d: 2021); Dickerson was an American bodybuilder and a former Mr. America and Mr. Olympia. One of the world’s most titled bodybuilders, Dickerson’s competitive career spanned thirty years; he was known for both his heavily muscled, symmetrical physique and for his skills on the posing dais.

Dickerson first entered bodybuilding competition in 1965 by taking third place at that year’s Mr. Long Beach competition. He was the first African-American AAU Mr. America, the oldest winner of the IFBB Mr. Olympia contest at age 43, and one of only two bodybuilders (along with Dexter Jackson) to win titles in both the Mr. Olympia and Masters Olympia competitions.

Dickerson won the Mr. Olympia once (1982), a distinction he shares with Samir Bannout (1983) and Dexter Jackson (2008). Dickerson retired in 1994 and was inducted into the IFBB Hall of Fame in 2000.Today, Dickerson lived in Florida where he continued to train, conduct seminars, and correspond with current athletes until his death on December 23, 2021.

His complete bodybuilding resume: 1967: Mr. California; 1968: Mr. USA; 1970: Mr. America; 1973: Amateur Mr. Universe; 1974: Professional Mr. America; 1974: Professional Mr. Universe; 1982: Mr. Olympia

During the 1960s, Dickerson did a lot of physique modeling. His 1970’s nude work for photographer Jim French is today considered some of the best in an admittedly limited field. Chris appeared in French’s hardcover photo essay, Man (1972) and also posed for the photographer ten years later. These photos ran in an issue of Olympus, published by Colt Studios. His revealing body art can be appreciated here: http://tombacchus.blogspot.com/2007/06/muscle-manly-chris-dickerson.html?zx=735b2c3fc145926b