Tanny advocated a raw food diet. He preferred tuna, beef, lobster as well as nuts, fruits and vegetables.[1] Tanny, the younger brother of fitness entrepreneur Vic Tanny, was a weightlifter prior to becoming a bodybuilder. He placed first in both the 1949 Pro. Mr. America and the 1950 Mr. USA competitions.[1][2]
Later, as one of a group of bodybuilders in Mae West's nightclub act, he organized a strike when West attempted to reduce pay of the group.
He spent much of his career writing about fitness, and was featured in numerous bodybuilding magazines.[1][2]