photographer Edwin F. Townsend. Townsend took a great interest in Sansone and began photographing him in 1929. He went on to become Sansone's principal photographer. In 1929, Sansone got a small part in director John W. Harkrider's Glorifying the American Girl which co-starred Eddie Cantor. But like competitive bodybuilding, Sansone never pursued acting as a career. Sansone owned and operated three gyms (which he referred to as "body culture studios") in New York City. (Bodybuilder Steve Reeves was among his customers.) Physique Tony Sansone stood 6 feet tall and weighed 185 lbs. His muscles were highly defined but did not display the massive bulkiness common in modern bodybuilding. Sansone, in fact, took no interest in measurements, preferring a look that was more slender and flexible. His training included weightlifting, running, swimming, and gymnastics. Sansone was especially strong in parallel bar work. Sansone was photographed mainly in the nude, and was celebrated for his creative posing. Although naturally tan, Sansone enhanced his "bronze" look with body makeup. Charles Atlas called him "The Most Beautiful Man in America." Physical-culture historian David Gentle has said, "If Sansone had been born in Greek antiquity, he would have been immortalized as a god." Later life Tony Sansone retired from the gym business after thirty years. He went on to do volunteer work, especially teaching underprivileged children. Sansone died January 13, 1987, after a five-year struggle with colon cancer. Sources American Adonis: Tony Sansone, the First Male Physique Icon, John Massey (2004) 1905 births 1987 deaths American bodybuilders American people of Italian descent People associated with physical culture People from New York City