Italian bodybuilder and the man Arnold Schwarzenegger called “my best friend,” Franco Columbu, died Friday after suffering a heart attack while swimming off the coast of Sardinia, Italy. He was 78.
According to the Italian news outlet, L’Unione Sarda, Columbu was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Schwarzenegger paid homage to his old friend in an Instagram post, writing, “I am devastated today. But I am also so, so grateful for the 54 years of friendship and joy we shared.”
Read his tribute to Columbu in full below:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1y_SfRA68f/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet
Columbu — who frequently showed off his strength by, for example, blowing up a hot water bottle orally until it burst or lifting a car — became one of Schwarzenegger’s closest friend (and later training partner) after first meeting at a competition in 1965.
After Schwarzenegger retired from bodybuilding in 1976, Columbu because Mr. Olympia, a title which Schwarzenegger earned after coming out of retirement in 1980, and which Columbu won back in 1981. In 1986, he served as Schwarzenegger’s best man at his wedding to Maria Shriver.
He later went on to appear in the Schwarzenegger films “The Terminator,” “The Running Man” and “Conan the Barbarian,” and also had a small role in “Big Top Pee-wee.” Upon his retirement, Columbu became a licensed chiropractor and maintained a practice in Los Angeles for several years.
He is survived by his wife, Deborah, and their daughter, Maria.
Other celebrities also paid their respects:
FRANCO COLUMBU , The greatest and strongest bodybuilder I have ever met has passed… He taught me many things that I have applied throughout my life – We will NEVER HAVE A MAN LIKE THIS AGAIN – thank you for the memories Franco pic.twitter.com/vJgzlI4Jyk
— Sylvester Stallone (@TheSlyStallone) August 30, 2019
RIP Franco Columbu
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You were a friend and an inspiration. pic.twitter.com/F1kILfyMEw— JOE MANGANIELLO (@JoeManganiello) August 30, 2019
Very sad to hear about Franco passing away! We have lost a bodybuilding legend! Rest In Peace my friend ????#endofanera #legend #francocolumbu #sadnews #mrolympia #restinpeace #pumpingiron #muscle #louferrigno #ferrignofit #goldenerabodybuilding pic.twitter.com/vARNMJ9pNC
— Lou Ferrigno (@LouFerrigno) August 30, 2019
The Incomparable FRANCO COLUMBU RIP has passed he was a tremendous soul a Gentle loving person great sense of Humor- spent many times drinking his homemade wine , working out ,listening to his Sardinian wisdom-met him through my friendship with @Schwarzenegger must be devastated
— Robert Davi (@RobertJohnDavi) August 30, 2019