Franco Columbu, Arnold Schwarzenegger's 'best friend' and 2-time Mr Olympia winner, dies aged 78
Franco Columbu, a two-time winner of the Mr. Olympia title and one of Arnold Schwarzenegger's closest friends, has tragically passed away at the age of 78. According to TMZ, Columbu died Friday and reports coming out of Italy say the legendary bodybuilder allegedly lost his life in his native Sardinia after an unspecified incident at sea.
Columbu is survived by his wife Deborah and their daughter, Maria. Schwarzenegger mourned his friend's passing with a eulogy published on Medium and a heartfelt message on Twitter saying, "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."
Columbu made his pro debut in 1968 and was quite a legend in his field up until his retirement in 1981. He won his very first Mr. Olympia title way back in 1976, a year after his friend Schwarzenegger retired from the famous bodybuilding competition.
Columbu would go on to win it again in 1981, this time a year after Schwarzenegger marked his comeback to the competition. Besides having a highly successful career as a bodybuilder, weightlifter and boxer, Columbu also acted on television and in movies.
His most famous scene came in the 1977 documentary film 'Pumping Iron' in which he lifted a car to help the driver escape a cramped parking spot. He also appeared in a lot of roles alongside Schwarzenegger in the 1980s including as the Future Terminator in 'The Terminator', a 911 Security Officer in 'The Running Man', and a Pictish Scout in 'Conan the Barbarian'.
Columbu and Schwarzenegger had been friends for over half a century at the time of Columbu's unfortunate demise. They met for the first time in Munich 54 years ago, and almost instantly became as thick as thieves. Columbu was often referred to as Schwarzenegger's squire, and the 'Terminator' star reportedly told people Columbu was the strongest man he ever knew.