Bob Paris (born Robert Clark Paris on December 14, 1959) is an American writer, actor, public speaker, civil rights activist and former professional bodybuilder. Paris was the 1983 NPC American National and IFBB World Bodybuilding Champion, Mr. Universe.
Paris was born and grew up in Brown County and Columbus, Indiana. From a very early age, he was both artistic and athletic. He won National Scholastic awards for his drawings and paintings and wrote short stories in his spare time. Paris was also an avid outdoors man who dedicated a large portion of his time to hiking and backpacking through the wooded hills of southern Indiana; Paris as well would ride his bike through the back roads and canoe the rivers. In high school Paris's interest in acting and theater started early, Paris was in several musicals throughout high school. Moreover, Paris was also involved in his school's debate team and a member of the International Thespian Society. Paris was involved in many sports in high school, he did track and field, golf, and was a talented football player for his school. By the time Paris was a Sophomore, he discovered an old, dusty weight-machine in a back room of his school's basketball gym. After experimenting with weight training, Paris started to gain size and strength. Paris had eventually started to lose interest in team sports due to his progress with weight-lifting. From that discovery Paris knew he wanted to be a bodybuilder.