Roy Callender


Roy Callender is a Barbadian Canadian IFBB Hall of Famer retired professional bodybuilder, professional wrestler and actor.

Early life and career

Callender was born in Barbados to an academician couple. His interest in bodybuilding started by the age of 8 and after moving to England for studying law and from 1967, he began to compete, winning the title Mr Southeast Britain the same year. He became Mr. United Kingdom in 1968. After finishing second in the medium-height class in the NABBA Amateur Universe in 1967, 1969 and 1971, Callender moved to Canada where he won Mr. Canada contest. He retired from competitive bodybuilding afterwards and had a brief role in Dušan Makavejev's experimental black comedy Sweet Movie.

Professional wrestling

Callender started his professional wrestling career in 1974, making his ring debut against Killer Tim Brooks in Montreal. He was promoted with the gimmick "Mr. Universe" in his career and contracted to the promotion Stampede Wrestling, Callender retired by the end of the year 1976 at a match against Keith Hart in Calgary.

Return to bodybuilding

Callender contacted gym owner and photographer Jimmy Caruso to prepare him for a comeback to competitive bodybuilding and on 10 September 1977, Callender, competing for the first time since 1971, won the Canadian Championships in Calgary. He was the winner of the 1979 IFBB Pro Universe, edging out his compatriot Albert Beckles. After competing in Mr. Olympia events for four times and with varying success, he returned to Barbados in 1982. After his fifth Olympia in 1984, he had a hiatus of three years in his native country and after placing seventh at the IFBB Grand Prix in Essen, he retired in 1987.

Later career

Callender returned to Montreal by 1991. He now works as a Gold's Gym master trainer.

Competition history

1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1984
1987