Oh man. He was a legend. Him and Arnold in Pumping Iron were great. I think it's time for a rewatch.



FRANCO COLUMBU
2X Mr. Olympia
DEAD AT 78

8/30/2019 11:24 AM PT

Franco Columbu, a former Mr. Olympia and one of Arnold Schwarzenegger's closest friends, has died.

Franco died Friday, with reports out of Italy saying the legendary bodybuilder lost his life in an incident at sea in his native Sardinia.

Arnold said goodbye to Franco with a heartfelt message ... writing, "I love you Franco. I will always remember the joy you brought to my life, the advices you gave me, and the twinkle in your eye that never disappeared. You were my best friend."


Franco won Mr. Olympia way back in 1976, the year after Arnold retired from the famous bodybuilding competition. Franco won again in 1981, the year after Arnold's comeback win.

In addition to his success as a bodybuilder, weightlifter and boxer, Franco also had a long career acting on TV and in movies.


One of Franco's most famous movie moment was in the 1977 documentary, "Pumping Iron" ... when he lifted a car to help the driver escape a tiny parking spot.

Franco also appeared in a string of Schwarzenegger movies in the 1980s ... including, "The Terminator," "The Running Man," and "Conan the Barbarian."


Franco and Arnold met in Munich 54 years ago, and instantly became pals ... in later years, Franco was known as Arnold's squire, and Arnold always told people Franco was the strongest man he ever knew.

Franco is survived by his wife, Deborah, and their daughter, Maria. He was 78.

RIP

https://www.google.com/amp/s/a...nold-schwarzenegger/

One of the greats of bodybuilding during the golden age. He had a wonderful beautiful physique unlike the freaks of modern bodybuilding and was also very strong pound for pound stronger than many people much bigger than him. He will be missed. God Bless

quote:

Originally posted by VBVAGUY:
He had a wonderful beautiful physique unlike the freaks of modern bodybuilding and was also very strong pound for pound stronger than many people much bigger than him. He will be missed. God Bless

That's a fact. Guys like him, Arnold, Ferrigno, Frank Zane...these guys--though extremely muscular and big--looked good. Not freakish at all.

Franco Columbo was amazingly strong, especially for his size.

He definitely had the best upper pec development in the history of bodybuilding and Dr. Franco Columbu was also an outstanding athlete, having been a national boxing champion in Italy before embarking on his bodybuilding career.

As a chiropractor, he was a well-educated man as well.



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Can’t believe that he drowned. Such a charismatic guy.

RIP Franco.

quote:

Originally posted by RAMIUS:
Can’t believe that he drowned. Such a charismatic guy.

RIP Franco.

What I was able to read indicated that he had a massive heart attack while swimming.



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He was always one of my favorites.

Stories like this, that involve drowning, always get to me.

I remember learning that Randy California (nee Wolfe), guitar great, Jimi Hendrix protege, and leader of the band Spirit, had drowned in a riptide off the coast of Molokai in 1997, saving his son. His son lived, but Randy was pulled under. Argh!

No one had the lats or pec development of Franco. The 1981 Olympia was a farce but he was absolutely one of the greats. When I saw the news yesterday it was one of those gut punch kinda things.

The guy was a mass monster before the term really caught on. He was amazingly huge for his height. Sad story.

He and Arnold had an amazing work ethic. He was Arnie’s best friend.

They both came to this country with nothing. Body building in the 60s was no guarantee for anything. As a kid, I was inspired by both of them.

RIP, Franco.

Amazing and sad to see the relationship he and Arnold had. What a beast and yes he was ahead of his time in fitness and nutrition.

Damn. I remember watching that as a kid.