Driving Daddy Hoffman

[Mark Rippetoe]

I want to meet Mr. Starr, where does he live?

Mr. Starr lives in seclusion in an undisclosed location.

[Christian Bligh]

Mr. Starr lives in seclusion in an undisclosed location.

No, really though, I've been really trying to decide if there's a good screenplay in and about (not that I'm a writer, but I have so many hobbies) York and weightlifting in general; what with all the cut-throat drama, intrigue, conspiracies and passion involved. It would be refreshing to sit down with an old timer like Mr. Starr, what a class-act. I don't know too many young people who tell a story like the old timers do (being in my mid twenties).

Though I can understand the choice of an ascetic. More power to him!

[Greg C]

Fantastic article. What a character!

[Hawkpeter]

The life of Bob Hoffman would make for an interesting film, it would never be a Hollywood success though as it doesn't seem to have a climactic Hollywood ending. Whilst he seems to have had many victories (and quite a military stint in WW1) in the end he lost out to the commies in competition and to Joe Weider and others in commercialism.

Is anyone aware of a Bob Hoffman biography? I'm not able to find one on the net.

[Michele Knaub]

I am from York (grew up in the 70s and 80s there) and Hoffman's legacy and name were everywhere in the youth sports culture. Softball was a huge summertime pastime and Hoffman had a big complex of fields named after himself; it was the first place I learned to ride my new ten-speed bike to. Driving past the big weightlifter statue on the highway in front of York Barbell was as close as I got as a kid to the mystique of the culture he fostered, but when I go home this summer I plan to visit the museum and get a dose of long-delayed nostalgia.

[Christian Bligh]

The life of Bob Hoffman would make for an interesting film, it would never be a Hollywood success though as it doesn't seem to have a climactic Hollywood ending. Whilst he seems to have had many victories (and quite a military stint in WW1) in the end he lost out to the commies in competition and to Joe Weider and others in commercialism.

A Hollywood script would come with some embellishments... I don't know if "Daddy Hoffman" would be the subject of it, but I like the idea of commies, competition, and commercialism; those are some definite themes.

As for the plot & central character (doesn't need to be human), I don't know... I keep thinking Seabiscuit w/out the horse, jockeys, racing, etc. But with weights and stuff!

[johnreynolds]

Ok Rip, if we ply you with liquor will you tell us ?

[Mark E. Hurling]

Is anyone aware of a Bob Hoffman biography? I'm not able to find one on the net.

Muscletown USA is probably as close as it gets.

[matclone]

Bill Starr and Tommy Suggs have both written chapters of a Hoffman biography, and they can be found right here at this website.

[Hawkpeter]

A Hollywood script would come with some embellishments... I don't know if "Daddy Hoffman" would be the subject of it, but I like the idea of commies, competition, and commercialism; those are some definite themes.

As for the plot & central character (doesn't need to be human), I don't know... I keep thinking Seabiscuit w/out the horse, jockeys, racing, etc. But with weights and stuff!

Maybe not Hollywood but maybe a great independent film I think. It would have such diverse characters and range of plot lines. How about an ESPN movie. I worked in one as a stunt double, doing historical true to life movies is a lot of fun. Is there is to be a renaissance of OL in the USA a movie like this would kick it along majorly.... maybe that should be a part of USA Weightlifting's strategic planning.