Paul Demayo | |
---|---|
— Bodybuilder — | |
Personal info | |
Nickname | Quadzilla |
Born |
California, United States |
September 12, 1967
Died | June 2, 2005 Boston |
(aged 37)
Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
Weight |
|
Professional career |
Paul DeMayo (September 12, 1967 – June 2, 2005) was an American IFBB professional bodybuilder.
Paul DeMayo was nicknamed "Quadzilla" for the size of his quadriceps. Born in California, United States, and raised in suburban Boston, DeMayo first competed in bodybuilding when he placed 1st in the Teenage Massachusetts State championships. His first National Physique Committee (NPC) event was in 1988, where he took 7th place in the NPC Junior USA heavyweight class. He took 1st place in the NPC Nationals Championship event in 1994. His only Mr. Olympia was in 1995, when he placed 12th. DeMayo appeared in many fitness and magazine articles, including being featured on the cover of Iron Man.
DeMayo died on June 2, 2005 in Boston from a heroin overdose. According to people close to him, DeMayo's problems started when his wife left him and he returned to Boston after he moved to California with her to train in Gold's Gym. He then was signed to an endorsement contract by sports nutritional supplement company Met-Rx and forced to compete in the 1995 Mr. Olympia against his wishes. He placed 12th and retired shortly afterwards.
DeMayo spent two years in MCI-Walpole maximum security prison for shooting at his girlfriend and possession of percodan. Some months before his death he told friends he was working at Gold's Gym on Lansdowne Street in Boston, but it was revealed later that he was fired several months earlier due to a substance abuse problem.