American beefcake actor in the Cape to thrill

Date: 24-03-2007 Posted by: Anabolic Info TeamSouth Africa

American actor Anthony Catanzaro is an Italian stallion in every way.

But the celebrity fitness star is the first to admit that it takes real discipline, a strict diet and a commitment to working out to maintain his body.

Catanzaro was in Cape Town briefly for an advertisement shoot this week and fell hopelessly in love with the city.

"It's like nothing on Earth. It's a hundred times better than what I expected. I'm definitely bringing my wife Tina back here for a holiday. Hollywood has nothing on Cape Town."
Catanzaro has appeared in movies such as Carlito's Way, The Scout and Batman: Gothic. He is also well known on television for his cameos in shows such as Sex And The City, Saturday Night Live and Law & Order and as a guest on talkshows Rikki Lake, Phil Donahue and Good Morning America, among others.

The 36-year-old New Yorker is well known in the fitness world, having won numerous awards: the 2005 Natural New York City Middle-Weight bodybuilding competition; he was first runner-up in 2003 Fame America Model Universe; 2002 New York State Bodybuilding Middleweight winner and overall champion; and Mr Fitness in 1997.
Catanzaro said he goes straight into filming the horror movie Beef once he returns to the US. He has also just signed a modelling contract with Fabio.

As a teenager, Catanzaro was skinny, but he started weight training at the age of 15 and has been a bodybuilder for more than 20 years.

"I believe in eating healthily. If you eat like a pig, then you're going to look like a pig."

Catanzaro is also a professional dancer, personal fitness trainer, nutritionist and motivational speaker.

"I like to keep my options open and do a bit of everything."

He is also known for his natural approach to bodybuilding, shunning steroids for diet and sheer determination to achieve his goals.

"It's not what I'm about. I'm not into putting garbage chemicals in my body to win a show or to impress people. When your body is naturally pumped, your mind will be as well."