Tom Platz, a renowned professional actor and bodybuilder, earned the nickname "Golden Eagle" and was tacitly considered the uncrowned Mr. Olympia of 1981.
At the tender age of 10, Thomas began his journey in the world of bodybuilding in 1965, when his parents purchased Joe Weider's guide to training and provided him with the necessary equipment. According to Tom, the moment he first felt the weight of the bar in his hands, his life was forever changed.
As a diligent young athlete, Tom devoted every spare moment to training, meticulously following every instruction in the manual. This dedication soon caught the attention of a magazine featuring photographs of Dave Draper, which served as a catalyst for Tom's decision to dedicate his life to the pursuit of bodybuilding.
The young bodybuilder's life took a dramatic turn when he moved to California, only to find himself accidentally settling near his childhood idol, Dave Draper. This serendipitous encounter allowed Tom to frequently train alongside his idol and learn from him.
Tom's big break came when he was able to study under the guidance of Arnold Schwarzenegger, learning valuable lessons on how to plan his actions and approach to bodybuilding. This experience laid the foundation for Tom's future success.
Tom's competitive career began in 1978, when he participated in the amateur world championship in Acapulco, Mexico, taking first place in the middle weight category and the overall "Absolute category." The following year, he took part in the prestigious Mr. Olympia tournament, finishing in 8th place.
In 1980, Tom competed in the World Championship Pro, securing a second-place finish behind Jusup Wilkosz. His best result in the competitive world of bodybuilding came in 1981, when he took 3rd place at the Mr. Olympia tournament.
Tom eventually retired from competitive bodybuilding in 1987, after which he transitioned to a successful acting career. In addition to his work in film, Tom also served as a bodybuilding coach and held the esteemed position of head of the bodybuilding department within the International Association of Sports Science.
