Clevio Massimo Sabatino (Tony Massimo) was born May 4, 1895, in the Abruzzi region of Italy. At age 6, his family immigrated to America and settled in Buffalo, New York. His mother insisted he practice the violin rather than spend time playing rough-house games. At age 17, Clevio left home and dropped his last name, with the determination of becoming a vaudeville strongman extraordinaire. With youth and energy, he included hand balancing and violin playing along with his strength feats to become an over-night vaudville head-liner.
One of his many unique stunts was a leg-biceps curl, where he would lie face-down on the floor. His assistant would grasp his feet and do a handstand. From this position the balancer was slowly curled upward until Massimo's lower legs were perpendicular. Then, ever-so-slowly, he was lowered to the starting position. An additional show-stopper was a head-to-head stand with his partner, as Tony gracefully played his voilin throughout the stunt.
Later, Tony teamed with a young acrobat using the stage name Clovis. "Clevio and Clovis" greatest stunt was Clovis balancing like a ballerina on Tony's chin.
As vaudeville lost favor, Clevio turned to professional wrestling. This career took him throughout North and South America grappling with the top wrestlers of that era.
Clevio Massimo, the Italian Hercules, retired to his hometown, Buffalo, New York, where he lived quietly until he died at age 84. His lasting contribution to the iron game was his demonstration that great size and bulk does not impair an athlete's physical abilities. He demonstrated that bodybuilders can have as much grace and artistry as anyone. most muscular man 1935
