Lou Zivkovich: Canadian Centerfold

Lou Zivkovich

Man of the Month

Playgirl Magazine, July 1974

Photographed by Norbert Jobst

'The girls, lol. The groupies.  They figured the ball players were big spenders.  Some were, I guess.  But most of the time they were disappointed.'

Now I'm not 100% sure, (maybe someone can help verify) but I do believe that Lou Zivkovich was Playgirl's first 'openly' Canadian Centerfold.  The magazine was first published in June of 1973 and Lou made his debut as Man of the Month the following year in July of 1974.  His Canadian roots were an important piece of the article.  Not only was Zivkovic is the son of Canadian immigrants, he was also a defensive end for the Calgary Stampeders in the Canadian Football League, (CFL).

'Lou Zivkovich is restless.... Five years of pro football in the Canadian leagues can't be set aside just like that.  The excitement of being on the move.  Of taking new challenges every week.  The girls hanging around the motel lobbies waiting to hook a player for the night.'

At the time of his naked debut, Zivkovich was 33 and living in the United States.  After receiving a degree in Physical Education and English at the University of Miami, the muscular 6'4" strapping Canadian was flown to Hawaii by the magazine for his magazine layout.  Copies of the magazine quickly became something of a collector's item and even sparked brief talk of an acting career for Zivkovich. (He played a supporting role in a McMillan and Wife episode which aired on October 26, 1975. 

'At one time, like when I was a kid; the most important think was getting into a girl's pants.  These days, sex isn't the ultimate experience.  There's more stress on companionship.  I like that.'

Sadly there was fall-out for Zivkovich which the magazine wrote about in a follow-up on their man of the month the following year.  At the time the magazine came out, Zivkovich was working as a Physical Education teacher at a high school in in Apple Valley, California.  The school fired him, charging that his appearance as Playgirl's centerfold demonstrated he was not a proper role model for the students.  Many of Zivkovich's fellow teachers, as well as many of his students protested and came to his defence.

'I don't see anything wrong with a nude body that is a work of art.'

Lou Zivkovich

The case went to a state appeals panel which admonished Zivkovich for a "mistake in judgment" but ruled in March 1975 that he could not be fired.   The following year Zivkovich took another stab at acting, appearing with other muscled hunks with Mae West in a CBS TV special titled "Dick Cavett's Backlot USA." Mae West's biographer described Zivkovich as not only one of West's co-stars, but also a 'frequent escort' to the Hollywood bombshell. 

Canadian Bacon

When have you ever heard anyone say, "Honey, lets stay in and order Canadian food?

Canadian Bacon, 1995

No, there may not be many restaurants specializing in Canadian cuisine, but Canada does have a few signature dishes.  Most people have heard of Poutine, but Canada is also famous for it's smoked meat, Beavertails, Tourtière, Lobster rolls, donairs and anything and everything maple.   It's also known world wide for it's bacon, specifically Canadian back bacon, made from Pork Loin, a leaner cut of meat.  Some people love it, others do not, but there's nothing better than a round slab on a breakfast sandwich! 

Martin Short

Since this is FH, and we're celebrating Canada Day, there's another slice of Canadian meat that's known world wide.  Of course, I'm talking about the meat on Canadian men, specially male actors.  When Canadian actors are wrote about, they often focus on the comedians.  The many actors of comedy who got their start on Canadian television, and then made their way to the States, or SNL, produced by Lorne Michaels, another Canadian.

SCTV

Canadians love their comedy, the SCTV alumni;  John Candy, Dave Thomas, Rick Moranis, Eugene Levy and Martin Short.  Then there's the Kids in the Hall, some of whom, (Dave Foley, Mark McKinney) also made a name for themselves on American sit-coms.  There's also Jim Carrey, Seth Rogan, Will Arnett, Tom Green, Phil Hartman, Matthew Perry, Mike Myers, Norm MacDonald, Howie Mandel, Tommy Chong, Leslie Nielson and original SNL cast member Dan Aykroyd.  

Moranis, Levy with Robin Williams (Club Paradise) 

Canadians can be serious as well, with acclaimed actors like Donald Sutherland, Kiefer Sutherland, Michael Ironside, Keanu Reeves, Ryan Gosling, Ryan Reynolds, Victor Garber and Christopher Plummer also hailing from the Great White North.  Although a certain orange buffoon has tried to put a wedge between them, Canada and the United States have been allies and friendly neighbours going back to the early 1800's. 

Eugene Levy

It makes sense given the two countries have longest international border stretching approximately 8,893 kilometers (5,526 miles) that Canadian talent would head south for work, and international fame.  Many American actors also head north to film in Canada, with some of the world's biggest movies filmed there.  Some of the many films that were shot partially, or entirely in Canada include;  The X-Men movies, The Twilight Saga, Deadpool, Good Will Hunting, The Revenant, American Psycho, Mean Girls, Chicago, Brokeback Mountain and Titanic. 

Gosling

I've featured hundreds of thespian Canucks over the years, especially in my 12 Days series.  The majority of Hallmark films are filmed in Canada, meaning many of the leading men from the romance series are Canadian.  I've done Actors & Skin features on many, including Andrew Walker (HERE:) and Shawn Roberts. (HERE:) Below are a few other hot Canadians I've featured over the years.  Some, have shown their back bacon, a few, shared their Canadian sausages as well.

Reeves

Jim Carrey

Eugene Levy

Michael Cera

Dan Aykroyd

Michael J. Fox

Shatner

Ryan Reynolds 

Paul Gross

Keanu Reeves

William Shatner

Donald Sutherland

Carrey

Devon Sawa

Will Sasso

Hayden Christensen

Bruce Greenwood

Michael Ironside

Taylor Kitsch, (above and below) gave us a taste of his Canadian back bacon on both screen, and in modeling wok. 

Taylor Kitsch

Joshua Jackson

Nathan Fillion

Jason Priestly

Shawn & Aaron Ashmore

Reynolds

Fox

I love me some Paul Gross, especially in the 1993 drama Aspen Extreme.  If you watched the DVD, you saw a bit of Paul's posterior, but if you were lucky enough to catch it on VHS, you saw more.  Thanks to xyzpdq (SOMS) for the cap below.

Favorite Pic of the Day for June 29th

Above:

Malik Delgaty by Immortal Form

-See More Below-

~Check out today's BIRTHDAYS HERE:~

Strong & Free 🍁

Prince Kalan Mulan by Vincent Chine

Since it's CANADA DAY weekend, (Canada Day is July 1st) today's post are focused on celebrating artists and models from The Great White North.  Although Canada is connected to the monarchy, the Royals have no real control in Canadian affairs. The role of the Queen, and now King, is strictly ceremonial.  Although I am certainly on the 'No Kings' train, I have no issues at all with a handsome Prince?  Model Prince Kalan Mulan, shot by photographer Vincent Chine, looks royally hot draped in the red and white.

Back Issues: Numbers, September 1980

'Husky Mounties and Lumberjacks, Numbers salutes the Men of Canada!'

Every year around Canada Day, I try to find a vintage magazine that celebrates the men of Canada.  The naked men of Canada of course!  I've previously featured several issues of Playgirl, as well as other publications that have featured hot, naked Canucks, minus their winter jackets, boots and tuques. 

This year, I found an issue of a magazine I don't think I'd heard of before.  Numbers, by the men who also brought you Blueboy, was published from the late 1970's through mid-1980's.  I also found a few issues with later dates, but I'm not sure if they were from the same publisher, or a new magazine with the same title.

Check out some highlights from the September 1980 issues, featuring the Men of Canada, on the NEXT PAGE HERE: