Joe Abbenda

Joe Abbenda is an American former professional bodybuilder, born on July 4, 1939, who competed in the early to mid 1960s in the tall man classes. Born on Long Island and raised in Queens, New York, he graduated from Long Island City High School, attended Adelphi University in 1957 and is of Italian descent. As an amateur he won the Teen Mr. America in 1959, then the AAU Mr. America and the amateur NABBA Mr. Universe in 1962, and he took the professional Mr. Universe title a year later, in 1963. He was featured in magazines including Health and Strength, Iron Man, Strength and Health and Muscular Development, and appeared as himself on the April 1, 1963 episode of the television quiz show To Tell the Truth.