Franco Columbu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Franco Columbu |
|
|---|---|
| Bodybuilder | |
| Personal info | |
| Nickname | The Sardinian Strongman |
| Born | August 7, 1941 Ollolai, Sardinia, Kingdom of Italy |
| Died | August 30, 2019 (aged 78) San Teodoro, Sardinia, Italy |
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (165 cm) |
| Weight | Contest: 185 lb (84 kg) Off season: 195 lb (88 kg) |
| Professional career | |
| Best win | IFBB Mr. Olympia, 1976, 1981 |
| Predecessor | Arnold Schwarzenegger (1975, 1980) |
| Successor | Frank Zane (1977) Chris Dickerson (1982) |
| Active | Retired after 1981 Mr. Olympia |
Franco Columbu (born Francesco Maria Columbu; August 7, 1941 – August 30, 2019) was a famous Italian-American athlete. He was known as a bodybuilder, powerlifter, and actor. He also wrote books and worked as a chiropractor.
Franco won the top bodybuilding title, Mr. Olympia, twice. He won in 1976 and again in 1981. He also competed in the very first World's Strongest Man contest in 1977. Franco was a close friend of Arnold Schwarzenegger and appeared in several movies.
Contents
Early Life and Boxing
Franco Columbu was born on August 7, 1941, in a town called Ollolai on the island of Sardinia, Italy. His parents were shepherds. When he was young, Franco said he was very skinny.
He started training as a boxer and won over 30 fights. But he decided to stop boxing because it was too hard on his face and head. Instead, he chose to focus on weightlifting and bodybuilding.
Meeting Arnold Schwarzenegger
Franco moved to Germany for work when he was young. In 1965, he met Arnold Schwarzenegger at a bodybuilding competition. They became lifelong friends.
Franco was even Arnold's best man when Arnold married Maria Shriver in 1986. He was also the godfather to their daughter, Christina. Arnold often said that Franco was his favorite training partner.
Amazing Athletic Career
In the late 1960s, Franco and Arnold moved to California. They went there to train and work with Joe Weider, a very important person in bodybuilding. Joe Weider helped them by giving them a place to live.
To earn more money, Franco and Arnold started a bricklaying company together. It was called European Brick Works.
Bodybuilding Success
Franco Columbu was not very tall, about 5 feet 5 inches. But he was incredibly strong and muscular. He won many important bodybuilding titles:
- In 1970, he won the IFBB Mr. Europe and Mr. Universe titles.
- In 1971, he won the IFBB Mr. World.
- He won the lightweight class of the Mr. Olympia competition in 1974 and 1975.
- Then, in 1976, he won the overall Mr. Olympia title for the first time.
World's Strongest Man Challenge
In 1977, Franco took part in the first-ever World's Strongest Man contest. He placed fifth, which was amazing because the other top competitors were much heavier than him.
During the competition, he was carrying a refrigerator on his back. He accidentally injured his left knee. This injury kept him from competing for a few years. After recovering, he returned to win the 1981 Mr. Olympia title. Then he retired from competing.
Incredible Strength Records
Franco Columbu was famous for his amazing strength. He held several impressive records:
- He could clean and jerk 400 pounds (about 181 kg).
- His bench press record was 525 pounds (about 238 kg).
- He could squat 655 pounds (about 297 kg).
- His deadlift record was 750 pounds (about 340 kg).
In 1978, Franco was even featured in The Guinness Book of Records. He earned this by bursting a hot water bottle in just 55 seconds, simply by blowing into it!
Acting and Writing
Franco Columbu also had a career in movies. He appeared as himself in the 1977 movie Pumping Iron, which was about bodybuilding.
He also helped Sylvester Stallone train for the movie Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985). Franco had roles in several movies that starred his friend Arnold Schwarzenegger, including:
- Conan the Barbarian (1982)
- The Terminator (1984)
- The Running Man (1987)
Later, Franco also wrote and produced his own films. Many of these movies, like Beretta's Island (1993) and Ancient Warriors (2003), were filmed in his home country of Sardinia.
Personal Life and Legacy
Franco Columbu lived in Los Angeles for many years. He also became a licensed chiropractor in 1977. Every year, he would visit his hometown of Ollolai in Sardinia for local celebrations. He became a citizen of the United States in 1983.
Franco Columbu passed away on August 30, 2019, at the age of 78. He was survived by his wife, Deborah, and their daughter, Maria. His funeral was held in his birthplace of Ollolai.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Stay Hungry | Franco Orsini | Uncredited |
| 1977 | Pumping Iron | Himself | |
| 1980 | The ... of Muscle Beach | Himself | |
| 1980 | The Comeback | Himself | |
| 1982 | Conan the Barbarian | Pictish Scout | |
| 1984 | The Terminator | Future Terminator | |
| 1984 | Getting Physical | Himself | |
| 1986 | Don Rickles: Rickles on the Loose | Himself | |
| 1987 | Predator | Medic | Uncredited |
| 1987 | The Running Man | 911 Security Officer #2 | |
| 1987 | Last Man Standing | Batty | |
| 1988 | Big Top Pee-wee | Otto the Strongman | |
| 1990 | Perduta | L'americano | |
| 1992 | Il ritmo del silenzio | Nerescu | Also executive producer |
| 1993 | Beretta's Island | Franco Armando Beretta | Also producer and writer |
| 1994 | Taken Alive | Enrico Costa | Also producer and writer |
| 1997 | Doublecross on Costa's Island | Enrico Costa | Also director, producer, and writer |
| 1998 | Hollywood Salutes Arnold Schwarzenegger: A Cinematheque Tribute | Himself | |
| 2002 | Raw Iron: The Making of Pumping Iron | Himself | |
| 2003 | Ancient Warriors | Aldo Paccione | Also producer |
| 2008 | Why We Train | Himself | |
| 2010 | Muscle Beach then and Now | Himself | |
| 2011 | Dreamland La Terra dei Sogni | Frank Graziani | |
| 2015 | One More Round | Franco Turelli |
Achievements
Bodybuilding Titles
- 1970 IFBB Mr. World (Short)
- 1970 IFBB Mr. Universe (Short & Overall)
- 1971 IFBB Mr. World (Short & Overall)
- 1974 Mr. Olympia (Lightweight)
- 1975 Mr. Olympia (Lightweight)
- 1976 Mr. Olympia (Lightweight & Overall)
- 1981 Mr. Olympia
World's Strongest Man
- 1977, fifth place
Powerlifting Records
- Bench press, 525 lb (238 kg)
- Squat, 655 lb (297 kg)
- Deadlift, 750 lb (340 kg)
See also
In Spanish: Franco Columbu para niños
- List of male professional bodybuilders
