By Nichole Harwood and Hector Valverde 

American actor Lou Ferrigno headed down to New Mexico for the January 2020 Albuquerque Comic Con. While in New Mexico Ferrigno was sworn in as a deputy for the Albuquerque Sheriff’s Department at a ceremony at the Albuquerque Convention Center by Socorro County Sheriff William Armijo. In an exclusive interview with ABQ-Live the Magazine in partnership with Z106.3, Ferrigno opened up about what he loved about Albuquerque. 

“I do Comic Cons all over the country, but what I like about Albuquerque is that it’s more like a second home to me,” Ferrigno said.

While in Albuquerque, Ferrigno enjoyed a bit of light-hearted fun, including judging a Baby Yoda competition popularized by the television series “The Mandalorian”. While the actor hasn’t seen the television series he said he was delighted to hear of the series success. In addition, Ferrigno said he is close friends with the lead actor from the series, Carl Weathers.

During the interview, Ferrigno opened up about his career, both past, and future. Ferrigno said his favorite role was starring in the hit movie “I Love You Man”. With a laugh, Ferrigno admitted that he is currently going through the process of moving into a new home, and sees the parallels from the movie to his current situation in dealing with realtors. As for Ferrigno’s future? Along with a few movies, he looks forward to starring in the comedy act “Guest House” with Billy Zane and his son.

Ferrigno said he has deep ties to Albuquerque. Ferrigno’s father Matty Ferrigno traveled to New Mexico 50 years ago to buy land. Upon returning home from the Land of Enchantment, Ferrigno said he remembered his father talk about Albuquerque’s unique fashion and people. 

“I remember he had this necklace,” Ferrigno said. “It looked like two pieces of shoelace and had traditional New Mexico decorations. So, growing up, I’d heard a lot about New Mexico. And now the fact is that I really just like the people here.”

As an adult, Ferrigno said he was honored to be deputized in the land he heard about as a child. After fifteen years of being a deputy sheriff, Ferrigno can now add New Mexico to his list of states he is deputized in.

“I want to show officers in a positive light. Being an officer is about protecting life and property – because once you’re in the uniform, it’s not how you think it is: it’s a very dangerous situation,” Ferrigno said. “That’s why I want to be a real-life hero like my father the NYPD lieutenant.”

From all of us here at ABQ-Live we would like to congratulate Ferrigno on being deputized here in New Mexico and thank him for interviewing with our local publication. We look forward to seeing more successes from him on and off the big screen!

Photos by ABQ-Live Photographer Joe Calderon

To learn more about Lou Ferrigno follow him on Instagram @theofficiallouferrigno!