About Boyer Coe
Born: August 18, 1946
Birthplace: Lake Charles, Luisana, USA
Residence: Huntington Beach, California, USA
Nickname: The Ragin’ Cajun
Height: 5′ 6″ (170 cm)
Weight: 216 lbs (98 kg)
Boyer Coe was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, on August 18, 1946. He started weight training at age fourteen at the Lake Charles Gym, where he often lifted in the cold under the light of a 100-watt bulb. As a boy he’d inform anyone who would listen that some day he would be Mr. America. At age seventeen he bench-pressed 420 pounds in strict style.
He attended college at Lafayette, Louisiana, and trained at Red Lerille’s gym, where he continued not only to improve his physique but also to perfect his posing. He worked out there for fourteen years before opening his own gym in New Orleans.
He first won the Mr. Louisiana title in 1965, then added the titles of Mr. Texas, Mr. Oklahoma, Teen Mr. America, Junior Mr. USA, Junior Mr. America, Mr. America, Mr. Universe, Mr. International, Pro Mr. World and Grand Prix Champion.
Boyer always found time to bring his fitness philosophy to others who could not come to him. He started a training program for the state prison in Louisiana and another for the children at the Louisiana State School for the Deaf. Coe credits his parents with instilling in him the basic value of hard work and perseverance. At home, he learned, by example, not only the value of self-discipline but also how to set and meet personal goals.
This substantiates a claim that Arnold Schwarzenegger has made of many champion bodybuilders – that they had disciplined early lives. “If you think that winning a major contest will make major changes in your life, you will end up very frustrated,” said Boyer’s father. “You’ve got to do things for yourself first.” His father’s primary focus was on Boyer’s education, but he supported his son’s desire to excel in bodybuilding and even accompanied him to many of his early regional contests.
Setting personal goals continues to be central to Coe’s philosophy of living. “If you believe you will be the champion, then you have the battle half won,” says Boyer. A superstar of the 1970s, Coe also continued to be a formidable competitor in the 1980s. He brought home seven Grand Prix titles in 1981 alone. He was always a strong contender for the Mr. Olympia title and, after a decade-long hiatus from competition, stepped onstage in absolutely phenomenal condition at both the 1994 and 1995 Masters Olympia contests.
Married to Valerie married on 15th December 1979 at Huntington Beach, California on board a luxury yacht sailing around the harbor. Many famous bodybuilders were present at the ceremony, with Joe Weider giving Valerie away to Boyer.
“I feel fortunate for the experience bodybuilding has given me,” he says. “Now I would like to put something back into the sport. I take every opportunity to talk before different civic groups, explaining bodybuilding and its benefits. It has come a long way since I started”. Boyer still starts early every morning at the gym. He doesn’t have to train anymore. He trains for the same reason he did back in Lake Charles when he was fourteen-years-old and for the nearly half-century that followed because he loves to. As the four time, Mr. Universe says with a laugh, “Old habits die hard.”
Mr. & Masters Olympia Results
1976 – IFBB Mr. Olympia: did not place
1977 – IFBB Mr. Olympia: 3rd (lightweight)
1977 – IFBB Mr. Olympia: 4th
1978 – IFBB Mr. Olympia: 2nd (lightweight)
1978 – IFBB Mr. Olympia: 4th
1979 – IFBB Mr. Olympia: 2nd (lightweight)
1980 – IFBB Mr. Olympia: 4th
1982 – IFBB Mr. Olympia: 11th
1984 – IFBB Mr. Olympia: 13th
1994 – IFBB Masters Olympia: 3rd
1995 – IFBB Masters Olympia: 10th
Titles Won
1965 – AAU Mr. Texas
1966 – AAU Teen Mr. America
1968 – AAU Jr. Mr. USA
1968 – AAU Mr. America (Most Muscular)
1968 – AAU Mr. USA (Most Muscular)
1969 – AAU Jr. Mr. America
1969 – AAU Mr. America
1969 – NABBA Mr. Universe
1970 – NABBA Pro Mr. Universe (Short)
1971 – IFBB Mr. America (Medium)
1971 – IFBB Mr. International
1971 – WBBG Pro Mr. World
1972 – WBBG Pro Mr. World
1973 – WBBG Pro Mr. World
1973 – NABBA Pro Mr. Universe
1974 – WBBG Pro Mr. World
1975 – WBBG Pro Mr. World
1975 – NABBA Pro Mr. Universe
1975 – PBBA Pro Mr. Universe
1981 – IFBB Canada Pro Cup
1981 – IFBB Belgium Grand Prix
1981 – IFBB Massachusetts Grand Prix
1981 – IFBB Wales Grand Prix
1981 – IFBB Grand Prix World Cup
1981 – IFBB Professional World Cup
1981 – IFBB World Grand Prix
Boyer Coe Gallery
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