25:
140:
398:
He was gay, which was known in bodybuilding circles but which he did not often publicly discuss at the height of his career. He later acknowledged that his sexual orientation, along with being Black, was a barrier. Dickerson died on
December 23, 2021, at the age of 82, from heart failure.
328:
competition in 1965 by taking third place at that year's Mr. Long Beach competition. He turned pro in 1973 and won a total of 15 professional bodybuilding titles across four organizations during his career. Bill Pearl trained and advised him throughout his career.
317:
One of the world's most titled bodybuilders, Dickerson's competitive career spanned thirty years; he was known for both his heavily muscled, symmetrical physique and for his skills on the posing dais.
324:
in a magazine, Dickerson changed his focus from acting to bodybuilding, and, at age 24, he began training at Pearl's Los
Angeles gym. Dickerson first entered a
1630:
823:
670:
42:
1625:
1071:
89:
1705:
1670:
61:
309:
in New York City, studying acting, singing, and ballet. There, a teacher recommended he strengthen his chest to strengthen his voice.
68:
1655:
1635:
989:
1640:
75:
1710:
1690:
1650:
370:
in 2000. Dickerson lived in
Florida where he continued to train, conduct seminars, and correspond with current athletes.
898:
57:
1695:
1685:
1665:
1064:
306:
108:
382:
is today considered some of the best in an admittedly limited field. He appeared in French's hardcover photo essay,
386:(1972), and also posed for the photographer ten years later. These photos ran in an issue of Olympus, published by
994:
1680:
1675:
46:
1645:
827:
1454:
1237:
1220:
1057:
348:
337:
1700:
82:
674:
366:
Dickerson retired after winning the 50+ division at the 1994 Masters
Olympia and was inducted into the
927:
805:
1092:
379:
279:
762:
638:
1462:
1435:
184:
781:
738:
332:
Dickerson was the first
African-American AAU Mr. America, the first openly gay winner of the IFBB
965:
298:
35:
301:, was a lawyer and civil rights advocate for women and minorities. He graduated high school at
1266:
1190:
1182:
1173:
1165:
1135:
378:
During the 1960s, Dickerson did much physique modeling. His 1970s nude work for photographer
943:
1620:
1615:
302:
652:
620:
8:
1660:
719:
294:
167:
880:
1008:
387:
367:
1553:
906:
592:
586:
559:
529:
511:
862:
695:
1586:
1386:
1274:
1203:
1199:
1186:
1169:
1029:
249:
1609:
1539:
1290:
1041:
356:
344:
259:
999:
1572:
1525:
1347:
1254:
1111:
360:
352:
325:
282:
130:
848:
340:) to win titles in both the Mr. Olympia and Masters Olympia competitions.
1080:
1018:
333:
234:
49: in this biography. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
1481:
1258:
1250:
1241:
1233:
1224:
1216:
1207:
1004:
321:
139:
1049:
1298:
24:
297:, on August 25, 1939. He was the youngest of triplets. His mother,
343:
He won the Mr. Olympia once (1982), a distinction he shares with
806:"Chris Dickerson (1939-2021): The Life of the 1982 Mr. Olympia"
782:"Chris Dickerson (1939-2021): The Life of the 1982 Mr. Olympia"
739:"Chris Dickerson (1939-2021): The Life of the 1982 Mr. Olympia"
944:"1982 Mr. Olympia Chris Dickerson Reportedly Dies At Age 82"
928:
Chris
Dickerson, Who Broke Bodybuilding Barriers, Dies at 82
849:"Every Winner of the Mr. Olympia Bodybuilding Competition"
621:"1982 Mr. Olympia Chris Dickerson Has Passed Away At 82"
336:
contest, and one of only two bodybuilders (along with
278:(August 25, 1939 – December 23, 2021) was an American
863:"An Interview With 1982 Mr. Olympia, Chris Dickerson"
16:
American former professional bodybuilder (1939–2021)
881:"Chris Dickerson's bodybuilding career at a glance"
1607:
472:1970 Junior Mr America - AAU, Most Muscular, 1st
436:1967 Junior Mr America - AAU, Most Muscular, 5th
1065:
824:"Exclusive Conversation with Chris Dickerson"
415:1966 Mr Eastern America - AAU, Overall Winner
550:1980 Florida Pro Invitational - IFBB, Winner
526:1980 Pittsburgh Pro Invitational - IFBB, 2nd
421:1966 Junior Mr USA - AAU, Most Muscular, 1st
418:1966 Mr Atlantic Coast - AAU, Overall Winner
412:1966 Mr New York State - AAU, Overall Winner
493:1974 Universe - Pro - NABBA, Overall Winner
1631:20th-century African-American sportspeople
1072:
1058:
653:"IN MEMORIAM: CHRIS DICKERSON (1939-2021)"
393:
138:
941:
673:. Ifbbpro.com. 1939-08-25. Archived from
601:1994 Masters Olympia - IFBB, Overall, 4th
583:1981 Grand Prix California - IFBB, Winner
571:1981 Grand Prix Washington - IFBB, Winner
547:1980 Grand Prix California - IFBB, Winner
466:1970 Mr America - AAU, Most Muscular, 1st
448:1968 Mr America - AAU, Most Muscular, 3rd
430:1967 Mr America - AAU, Most Muscular, 4th
305:in 1957. In 1959, he began attending the
109:Learn how and when to remove this message
580:1981 Grand Prix Louisiana - IFBB, Winner
1079:
577:1981 Grand Prix New England - IFBB, 2nd
574:1981 Grand Prix New York - IFBB, Winner
556:1981 Professional World Cup - IFBB, 2nd
538:1980 Grand Prix New York - IFBB, Winner
523:1979 Canada Diamond Pro Cup - IFBB, 2nd
502:1976 Universe - Pro - NABBA, Short, 2nd
490:1974 Universe - Pro - NABBA, Short, 1st
1608:
639:"Chris Dickerson - Greatest Physiques"
565:1981 Night of Champions - IFBB, Winner
535:1980 Night of Champions - IFBB, Winner
402:
355:(2018) who has since died, as well as
312:
1053:
942:Lockridge, Roger (23 December 2021).
826:. Healthyblackmen.org. Archived from
568:1981 Grand Prix World Cup - IFBB, 2nd
544:1980 Grand Prix Louisiana - IFBB, 2nd
517:1979 Grand Prix Vancouver - IFBB, 2nd
484:1973 Universe - NABBA, Overall Winner
442:1968 Mr USA - AAU, Most Muscular, 2nd
1626:21st-century African-American people
541:1980 Grand Prix Miami - IFBB, Winner
496:1975 World Championships - WBBG, 2nd
475:1970 Junior Mr America - AAU, Winner
47:adding citations to reliable sources
18:
816:
779:
736:
13:
1706:21st-century American LGBTQ people
1671:LGBTQ people from New York (state)
968:. www.musclememory.com. 1939-08-25
553:1980 Canada Pro Cup - IFBB, Winner
520:1979 Canada Pro Cup - IFBB, Winner
487:1973 Pro Mr America - WBBG, Winner
58:"Chris Dickerson" bodybuilder
14:
1722:
995:Chris Dickerson passes away at 82
983:
481:1973 Universe - NABBA, Short, 1st
478:1971 Universe - NABBA, Short, 1st
463:1970 Universe - NABBA, Short, 1st
460:1969 Junior Mr America - AAU, 2nd
454:1968 Junior Mr America - AAU, 3rd
439:1967 Junior Mr America - AAU, 4th
363:(2022) who are currently active.
307:American Academy of Dramatic Arts
195:5 ft 6 in (168 cm)
505:1976 Universe - Pro - NABBA, 3rd
427:1967 Mr California - AAU, Winner
424:1966 Junior Mr USA - AAU, Winner
409:1966 Mr North America - AAU, 2nd
23:
958:
935:
921:
905:. 16 March 2013. Archived from
891:
873:
855:
841:
798:
598:1990 Arnold Classic - IFBB, 8th
499:1975 Universe - Pro - PBBA, 2nd
351:(2008) who have since retired,
34:needs additional citations for
773:
755:
730:
712:
688:
663:
645:
631:
613:
1:
1656:African-American LGBTQ people
1636:African-American bodybuilders
606:
469:1970 Mr America - AAU, Winner
288:
1641:African-American male models
7:
1711:Olney Friends School alumni
1691:Sportspeople from Manhattan
373:
10:
1727:
1651:American male adult models
457:1969 Mr America - AAU, 2nd
451:1968 Mr America - AAU, 3rd
433:1967 Mr America - AAU, 6th
320:After seeing Mr. Universe
276:Henri Christophe Dickerson
1696:Sportspeople from Florida
1686:Professional bodybuilders
1666:LGBTQ people from Florida
1087:
1016:
899:"Who is Chris Dickerson?"
720:"Mahala Ashley Dickerson"
445:1968 Mr USA - AAU, Winner
265:
255:
245:
227:
212:
207:
203:195 lb (88 kg)
199:
191:
174:
154:
149:
137:
128:
123:
1000:Chris Dickerson Gallery
514:- IFBB, Lightweight, 4th
508:1976 Olympus - WBBG, 4th
185:Fort Lauderdale, Florida
700:Encyclopedia of Alabama
394:Personal life and death
299:Mahala Ashley Dickerson
1681:American gay sportsmen
671:"IFBB Chris Dickerson"
293:Dickerson was born in
1676:American LGBTQ models
144:Dickerson, circa 1970
1646:American male models
851:. December 17, 2020.
303:Olney Friends School
43:improve this article
1081:Mr. Olympia winners
887:. 24 December 2021.
812:. 24 December 2021.
659:. 25 December 2021.
627:. 24 December 2021.
403:Bodybuilding titles
313:Bodybuilding career
295:Montgomery, Alabama
208:Professional career
168:Montgomery, Alabama
1701:LGBTQ bodybuilders
1603:
1602:
1048:
1047:
990:IFBB Hall of Fame
966:"Chris Dickerson"
767:greatestphysiques
763:"Chris Dickerson"
696:"Chris Dickerson"
368:IFBB Hall of Fame
273:
272:
218:Mr Atlantic Coast
178:December 23, 2021
119:
118:
111:
93:
1718:
1594:
1589:
1580:
1575:
1566:
1561:
1556:
1547:
1542:
1533:
1528:
1519:
1514:
1509:
1504:
1499:
1494:
1489:
1484:
1475:
1470:
1465:
1458:
1448:
1443:
1438:
1429:
1424:
1419:
1414:
1409:
1404:
1399:
1394:
1389:
1380:
1375:
1370:
1365:
1360:
1355:
1350:
1341:
1336:
1331:
1326:
1321:
1316:
1311:
1306:
1301:
1294:
1286:
1278:
1270:
1262:
1249:1979: (Overall:
1245:
1232:1978: (Overall:
1228:
1215:1977: (Overall:
1211:
1198:1976: (Overall:
1194:
1181:1975: (Overall:
1177:
1164:1974: (Overall:
1158:
1153:
1148:
1143:
1138:
1129:
1124:
1119:
1114:
1105:
1100:
1095:
1074:
1067:
1060:
1051:
1050:
1014:
1013:
977:
976:
974:
973:
962:
956:
955:
953:
951:
939:
933:
925:
919:
918:
916:
914:
909:on 11 April 2013
895:
889:
888:
877:
871:
870:
869:. 25 April 2007.
859:
853:
852:
845:
839:
838:
836:
835:
820:
814:
813:
802:
796:
795:
793:
792:
777:
771:
770:
759:
753:
752:
750:
749:
734:
728:
727:
716:
710:
709:
707:
706:
692:
686:
685:
683:
682:
667:
661:
660:
649:
643:
642:
635:
629:
628:
617:
593:1984 Mr. Olympia
587:1982 Mr. Olympia
560:1981 Mr. Olympia
530:1980 Mr. Olympia
512:1979 Mr. Olympia
181:
164:
162:
142:
133:
121:
120:
114:
107:
103:
100:
94:
92:
51:
27:
19:
1726:
1725:
1721:
1720:
1719:
1717:
1716:
1715:
1606:
1605:
1604:
1599:
1592:
1585:
1578:
1571:
1564:
1559:
1552:
1545:
1538:
1531:
1524:
1517:
1512:
1507:
1502:
1497:
1492:
1487:
1480:
1473:
1468:
1461:
1453:
1446:
1441:
1434:
1427:
1422:
1417:
1412:
1407:
1402:
1397:
1392:
1385:
1378:
1373:
1368:
1363:
1358:
1353:
1346:
1339:
1334:
1329:
1324:
1319:
1314:
1309:
1304:
1297:
1289:
1281:
1273:
1265:
1248:
1231:
1214:
1197:
1180:
1163:
1156:
1151:
1146:
1141:
1134:
1127:
1122:
1117:
1110:
1103:
1098:
1091:
1083:
1078:
1039:
1027:
1005:Chris Dickerson
986:
981:
980:
971:
969:
964:
963:
959:
949:
947:
940:
936:
926:
922:
912:
910:
897:
896:
892:
879:
878:
874:
861:
860:
856:
847:
846:
842:
833:
831:
822:
821:
817:
804:
803:
799:
790:
788:
780:Merritt, Greg.
778:
774:
761:
760:
756:
747:
745:
737:Merritt, Greg.
735:
731:
718:
717:
713:
704:
702:
694:
693:
689:
680:
678:
669:
668:
664:
651:
650:
646:
637:
636:
632:
619:
618:
614:
609:
604:
405:
396:
376:
315:
291:
183:
179:
166:
165:August 25, 1939
160:
158:
145:
129:
124:Chris Dickerson
115:
104:
98:
95:
52:
50:
40:
32:This biography
28:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1724:
1714:
1713:
1708:
1703:
1698:
1693:
1688:
1683:
1678:
1673:
1668:
1663:
1658:
1653:
1648:
1643:
1638:
1633:
1628:
1623:
1618:
1601:
1600:
1598:
1597:
1596:
1595:
1583:
1582:
1581:
1569:
1568:
1567:
1562:
1550:
1549:
1548:
1536:
1535:
1534:
1522:
1521:
1520:
1515:
1510:
1505:
1500:
1495:
1490:
1478:
1477:
1476:
1471:
1459:
1451:
1450:
1449:
1444:
1432:
1431:
1430:
1425:
1420:
1415:
1410:
1405:
1400:
1395:
1383:
1382:
1381:
1376:
1371:
1366:
1361:
1356:
1344:
1343:
1342:
1337:
1332:
1327:
1322:
1317:
1312:
1307:
1295:
1287:
1279:
1271:
1267:Schwarzenegger
1263:
1246:
1229:
1212:
1195:
1191:Schwarzenegger
1183:Schwarzenegger
1178:
1174:Schwarzenegger
1166:Schwarzenegger
1161:
1160:
1159:
1154:
1149:
1144:
1136:Schwarzenegger
1132:
1131:
1130:
1125:
1120:
1108:
1107:
1106:
1101:
1088:
1085:
1084:
1077:
1076:
1069:
1062:
1054:
1046:
1045:
1036:
1033:
1030:Franco Columbu
1023:
1022:
1012:
1011:
1002:
997:
992:
985:
984:External links
982:
979:
978:
957:
934:
931:New York Times
920:
890:
872:
854:
840:
815:
797:
772:
769:. 5 July 2016.
754:
729:
711:
687:
662:
644:
641:. 5 July 2016.
630:
625:generationiron
611:
610:
608:
605:
603:
602:
599:
596:
590:
589:- IFBB, Winner
584:
581:
578:
575:
572:
569:
566:
563:
557:
554:
551:
548:
545:
542:
539:
536:
533:
527:
524:
521:
518:
515:
509:
506:
503:
500:
497:
494:
491:
488:
485:
482:
479:
476:
473:
470:
467:
464:
461:
458:
455:
452:
449:
446:
443:
440:
437:
434:
431:
428:
425:
422:
419:
416:
413:
410:
406:
404:
401:
395:
392:
375:
372:
349:Dexter Jackson
338:Dexter Jackson
314:
311:
290:
287:
271:
270:
267:
263:
262:
257:
253:
252:
250:Franco Columbu
247:
243:
242:
241:
240:
237:
229:
225:
224:
223:
222:
219:
214:
210:
209:
205:
204:
201:
197:
196:
193:
189:
188:
182:(aged 82)
176:
172:
171:
156:
152:
151:
147:
146:
143:
135:
134:
126:
125:
117:
116:
31:
29:
22:
15:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1723:
1712:
1709:
1707:
1704:
1702:
1699:
1697:
1694:
1692:
1689:
1687:
1684:
1682:
1679:
1677:
1674:
1672:
1669:
1667:
1664:
1662:
1659:
1657:
1654:
1652:
1649:
1647:
1644:
1642:
1639:
1637:
1634:
1632:
1629:
1627:
1624:
1622:
1619:
1617:
1614:
1613:
1611:
1591:
1590:
1588:
1584:
1577:
1576:
1574:
1570:
1563:
1558:
1557:
1555:
1551:
1544:
1543:
1541:
1537:
1530:
1529:
1527:
1523:
1516:
1511:
1506:
1501:
1496:
1491:
1486:
1485:
1483:
1479:
1472:
1467:
1466:
1464:
1460:
1456:
1452:
1445:
1440:
1439:
1437:
1433:
1426:
1421:
1416:
1411:
1406:
1401:
1396:
1391:
1390:
1388:
1384:
1377:
1372:
1367:
1362:
1357:
1352:
1351:
1349:
1345:
1338:
1333:
1328:
1323:
1318:
1313:
1308:
1303:
1302:
1300:
1296:
1292:
1288:
1284:
1280:
1276:
1272:
1268:
1264:
1260:
1256:
1252:
1247:
1243:
1239:
1235:
1230:
1226:
1222:
1218:
1213:
1209:
1205:
1201:
1196:
1192:
1188:
1184:
1179:
1175:
1171:
1167:
1162:
1155:
1150:
1145:
1140:
1139:
1137:
1133:
1126:
1121:
1116:
1115:
1113:
1109:
1102:
1097:
1096:
1094:
1090:
1089:
1086:
1082:
1075:
1070:
1068:
1063:
1061:
1056:
1055:
1052:
1044:
1043:
1042:Samir Bannout
1038:Succeeded by:
1037:
1035:First (1982)
1034:
1032:
1031:
1025:
1024:
1021:
1020:
1015:
1010:
1006:
1003:
1001:
998:
996:
993:
991:
988:
987:
967:
961:
945:
938:
932:
929:
924:
908:
904:
903:opentopia.com
900:
894:
886:
882:
876:
868:
864:
858:
850:
844:
830:on 2014-08-04
829:
825:
819:
811:
807:
801:
787:
783:
776:
768:
764:
758:
744:
740:
733:
725:
721:
715:
701:
697:
691:
677:on 2014-07-24
676:
672:
666:
658:
654:
648:
640:
634:
626:
622:
616:
612:
600:
597:
594:
591:
588:
585:
582:
579:
576:
573:
570:
567:
564:
561:
558:
555:
552:
549:
546:
543:
540:
537:
534:
531:
528:
525:
522:
519:
516:
513:
510:
507:
504:
501:
498:
495:
492:
489:
486:
483:
480:
477:
474:
471:
468:
465:
462:
459:
456:
453:
450:
447:
444:
441:
438:
435:
432:
429:
426:
423:
420:
417:
414:
411:
408:
407:
400:
391:
389:
385:
381:
371:
369:
364:
362:
358:
357:Brandon Curry
354:
350:
346:
345:Samir Bannout
341:
339:
335:
330:
327:
323:
318:
310:
308:
304:
300:
296:
286:
284:
281:
277:
268:
264:
261:
260:Samir Bannout
258:
254:
251:
248:
244:
238:
236:
232:
231:
230:
226:
220:
217:
216:
215:
211:
206:
202:
198:
194:
190:
186:
177:
173:
169:
157:
153:
150:Personal info
148:
141:
136:
132:
127:
122:
113:
110:
102:
91:
88:
84:
81:
77:
74:
70:
67:
63:
60: –
59:
55:
54:Find sources:
48:
44:
38:
37:
30:
26:
21:
20:
1282:
1040:
1028:
1026:Preceded by:
1017:
970:. Retrieved
960:
948:. Retrieved
937:
930:
923:
911:. Retrieved
907:the original
902:
893:
884:
875:
867:bodybuilding
866:
857:
843:
832:. Retrieved
828:the original
818:
809:
800:
789:. Retrieved
785:
775:
766:
757:
746:. Retrieved
742:
732:
723:
714:
703:. Retrieved
699:
690:
679:. Retrieved
675:the original
665:
656:
647:
633:
624:
615:
595:- IFBB, 11th
397:
388:Colt Studios
383:
377:
365:
361:Hadi Choopan
353:Shawn Rhoden
342:
331:
326:bodybuilding
319:
316:
292:
280:professional
275:
274:
180:(2021-12-23)
105:
96:
86:
79:
72:
65:
53:
41:Please help
36:verification
33:
1621:2021 deaths
1616:1939 births
1019:Mr. Olympia
950:24 December
885:fitnessvolt
786:The Barbell
743:The Barbell
562:- IFBB, 2nd
532:- IFBB, 2nd
359:(2019) and
347:(1983) and
334:Mr. Olympia
283:bodybuilder
246:Predecessor
235:Mr. Olympia
131:Bodybuilder
1661:Gay models
1610:Categories
972:2014-06-29
946:. Bar Bend
834:2014-06-29
810:thebarbell
791:2023-12-21
748:2023-12-21
705:2022-01-15
681:2014-06-29
607:References
380:Jim French
322:Bill Pearl
289:Early life
161:1939-08-25
99:March 2009
69:newspapers
1283:Dickerson
269:1966–1994
256:Successor
213:Pro-debut
1587:Lunsford
1554:Elssbiay
1238:Robinson
1221:Robinson
913:16 March
374:Modeling
228:Best win
1573:Choopan
1455:Jackson
1387:Coleman
1291:Bannout
1275:Columbu
1257:) (LW:
1255:Mentzer
1253:) (HW:
1240:) (LW:
1236:) (HW:
1223:) (LW:
1219:) (HW:
1206:) (HW:
1204:Columbu
1202:) (LW:
1200:Columbu
1189:) (HW:
1187:Columbu
1185:) (LW:
1172:) (HW:
1170:Columbu
1168:) (LW:
724:nps.gov
83:scholar
1526:Rhoden
1463:Cutler
1457:(2008)
1436:Cutler
1293:(1983)
1285:(1982)
1277:(1981)
1269:(1980)
1208:Waller
266:Active
200:Weight
192:Height
187:, U.S.
170:, U.S.
85:
78:
71:
64:
56:
1540:Curry
1482:Heath
1393:1998
1348:Yates
1305:1984
1299:Haney
1142:1970
1112:Oliva
1093:Scott
233:IFBB
90:JSTOR
76:books
1593:2023
1579:2022
1565:2021
1560:2020
1546:2019
1532:2018
1518:2017
1513:2016
1508:2015
1503:2014
1498:2013
1493:2012
1488:2011
1474:2010
1469:2009
1447:2007
1442:2006
1428:2005
1423:2004
1418:2003
1413:2002
1408:2001
1403:2000
1398:1999
1379:1997
1374:1996
1369:1995
1364:1994
1359:1993
1354:1992
1340:1991
1335:1990
1330:1989
1325:1988
1320:1987
1315:1986
1310:1985
1259:Zane
1251:Zane
1242:Zane
1234:Zane
1225:Zane
1217:Zane
1157:1973
1152:1972
1147:1971
1128:1969
1123:1968
1118:1967
1104:1966
1099:1965
1009:IMDb
952:2021
915:2013
657:ifbb
239:1982
221:1966
175:Died
155:Born
62:news
1007:at
384:Man
45:by
1612::
901:.
883:.
865:.
808:.
784:.
765:.
741:.
722:.
698:.
655:.
623:.
390:.
285:.
1261:)
1244:)
1227:)
1210:)
1193:)
1176:)
1073:e
1066:t
1059:v
975:.
954:.
917:.
837:.
794:.
751:.
726:.
708:.
684:.
163:)
159:(
112:)
106:(
101:)
97:(
87:·
80:·
73:·
66:·
39:.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
