Samir Bannout
Samir Bannout, nicknamed “The Lion of Lebanon,” is a Lebanese former professional bodybuilder and commentator born on November 7, 1955, in Beirut. He became the first Middle Eastern winner of Mr. Olympia when he took the title in 1983, defeating Mohamed Makkawy and Lee Haney in Munich, Germany. Bannout is known for an athletic, balanced look and especially for his strong back, often called the "Lebanon cedar."
He moved to the United States, living first in Detroit and later in Santa Monica, California. He earned IFBB pro status after winning the light-heavyweight class at the 1979 World Amateur Championships. Bannout weighed 188 pounds at his 1983 Olympia win, making him the last Mr. Olympia winner under 200 pounds. The competition era shifted toward bigger physiques, and Bannout finished sixth in 1984. He was suspended for three years for competing in a rival federation, but returned to win the 1990 Pittsburgh Pro Invitational. His professional career lasted about 17 years.
Bannout has spoken openly about using anabolic steroids in the past and has criticized IFBB politics during his competitive years. Since retiring, he has worked as a commentator and appeared on many bodybuilding magazine covers. He was inducted into the IFBB Hall of Fame in 2002.
Today he lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Randa, and their three children, Lea, Jesse, and Sergio.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 07:19 (CET).