The Italian bodybuilder and man whom 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 years old.
According to the Italian newspaper L'Unione Sarda, Columbu was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Schwarzenegger paid tribute to his old friend in a post on Instagram, writing: "I am devastated today. But I am also very grateful for 54 years of shared friendship and joy. "
Read also: Valerie Harper, star of 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show & # 39; and & # 39; Rhoda & # 39; dies at age 80
Franco, you heard me say that I did not like when people treated me. You even heard me say that you are part of the reason why I could never accept this label. But I wanted you to know why. From the moment we met in Munich, you were my accomplice. We pushed ourselves, we entered the competition and we laughed every moment of the course. When I finally arrived in America, I was alone. I had left my family, my country, my whole life behind. So when I asked Joe Weider to take you to training, it's because I knew I was not the same without my best friend. I could prosper without money, without my parents, but I could not prosper without you. I am devastated today. But I am also very grateful for 54 years of shared friendship and joy. Pumps, chess, construction, meals, jokes, life lessons – we did everything together. We grew up and we learned and loved each other. My life was more fun, more colorful and more complete because of you. I will always miss you. But I will also know that part of you lives in me, in Debbie, in Maria and in the millions of people you have inspired every day of your life. And I'll be there for Maria and Debbie, so you can rest now without worry. I like you Franco. I will always remember the joy you have brought to my life, the advice you have given me and the flicker in your eyes that has never gone away. You were my best friend. Always love, Arnold
An article shared by Arnold Schwarzenegger (@schwarzenegger) on
Columbu – who has often shown his strength, for example by blowing up a bottle of hot water until he bursts or lifting a car – has become one of Schwarzenegger's closest friends (and then his partner after his first encounter at a competition in 1965.
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After Schwarzenegger retired from bodybuilding in 1976, Columbu because Mr. Olympia, title he had acquired after retiring in 1980, and that Columbu had won in 1981. In 1986, he was the best man of Schwarzenegger when he married Maria Shriver. .
He later appeared in Schwarzenegger's films "The Terminator", "The Running Man" and "Conan the Barbarian", and also played a small role in "Big Top Peewee". Upon retirement, Columbu became a chiropractor licensee and practiced in Los Angeles for several years.
He is survived by his wife Deborah and their daughter Maria.
Read also: Peter Fonda, two-time Academy Award nominee and star of "Easy Rider", dies at age 79
Other celebrities also paid tribute to:
FRANCO COLUMBU, The greatest and most powerful bodybuilder I have ever met is gone … He has taught me a lot of things that I have applied throughout my life – we do not have to … will never have a man like this again – thank you for the memories Franco pic.twitter.com/vJgzlI4Jyk
The incomparable RIP FRANCO-COLUMBU is gone, he was a great soul, a loving person, a great sense of humor spent many times drinking his homemade wine, doing bodybuilding, listening to his Sardinian wisdom. @Schwarzenegger must be devastated
Here is a list of celebrities and professionals from the film, television, music and sports industry who passed away in 2019.
Joe Stapleton
The New England Broadcaster who appeared in several Academy Award-winning films, such as "Spotlight" and "Mystic River", died on January 1st. Stapleton was 55 years old.
Daryl Dragon
A half of the captain and pop duo Tennille died January 2 from kidney failure, according to Reuters. He was 76 years old.
Gene Okurland
The famous WWE host, who frequently interviewed artists such as Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant at their peak, died on January 2nd. Okurland was 76 years old.
Bob Einstein
The actors "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "Arrested Development" (and brother of actor-filmmaker Albert Brooks) died on January 2nd. Einstein was 76 years old.
Verna Bloom
The actress "Animal House" and "The Last Temptation of Christ" died on January 9th. A family spokesman told USA Today that Bloom had died of dementia. Bloom was 80 years old.
Mark Urman
The veteran independent film distributor, who was recently president and CEO of New York-based Paladin Films, died of cancer on Jan. 12. He was 66 years old.
Carol Channing
The legendary Broadway actor and comedian ("Hello Dolly", "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes") passed away on January 15th. Channing was 97 years old.
Lorna Doom
The German bassist and founding member of Los Angeles-based punk band The Germs passed away on January 17th. She was 61 years old.
John Coughlin
The former figure skating champion has committed suicide on January 18th. The news arrived a few days after Coughlin was suspended from the sport due to a pending grievance. He was 33 years old.
Andy Vajna
The Hungarian producer who worked with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone on some of their most popular films, including "Rambo" and "Total Recall", died at his home in Budapest on 20 January. He was 74 years old.
Russell Baker
A two-time writer, Pulitzer winner and host of PBS's Masterpiece Theater, Baker died on January 21 at his home in Lessburg, Virginia. Baker was 93 years old.
James Frawley
The director of "The Muppet Movie" and the show "The Monkees" died Jan. 22 at his home in Indian Wells, California. He was 82 years old.
Kevin Barnett
The comic and co-creator of "Rel," the sitcom directed by Lil & # 39; Rel Howery on Fox, died Jan. 22 as a result of a haemorrhage. Barnett was 32 years old.
Michel Legrand
The French composer who won three Oscars for his songs ("The windmills of your mind") and his film scores ("The summer of 42", "Yentl") died on January 26. Legrand was 86 years old.
James Ingram
The singer and songwriter whose title included "I do not have the heart" died on January 29th. According to TMZ, Ingram died of brain cancer. He was 66 years old.
Louisa Moritz
The actress "Flying over a Cuckoo's Nest," one of the many women accusing comedian Bill Cosby of sexual misconduct, died as a result of natural causes on January 30th. Moritz was 72 years old.
Neal James
Animal Planet's "Call of the Wildman" banjo man died on February 1 in Kentucky. He was 55 years old.
Julie Adams
The actress known for playing the damsel in distress in the 1954 monster movie "Creature From the Black Lagoon" died Feb. 3. She was 92 years old.
Kristoff St. John
The actor who has portrayed the character Neil Winters in the television series "The Young and the Restless" of CBS since 1991 died on February 3. He was 52 years old.
Albert Finney
The British Oscar-nominated actor who starred in "Tom Jones", "Erin Brockovich" and the films "Bourne", died on February 8. He was 82 years old.
Ron Miller
The former president and CEO of The Walt Disney Company and son-in-law of the company's founder, Walt Disney, passed away on February 9. He was 85 years old.
Jan-Michael Vincent
The actor, who starred in the television series "Airwolf" and films like "The Mechanic", died on February 10 at the age of 74 in North Carolina. According to CBS, the actor died of cardiac arrest.
Pedro Morales
On February 12, WWE announced the death of the company's first-ever Triple Crown Champion. The native of Puerto Rico was 76 years old.
Bruce Ganz
The Swiss actor whose work ranged from "Wings of Desire" to "Downfall", a well-known song, died on February 15th. He was 77 years old.
Karl Lagerfeld
The legendary fashion designer who has long been creative director of major brands such as Chanel and Fendi passed away on February 19th. He was 85 years old.
Stanley Donen
The director of classic musical films such as "On the Town" and "Singin 'in the Rain", died on February 23. He was 94 years old.
Katherine Helmond
The actress-performer who became known in the 1970s and 80s with roles in the series "Soap" and "Who's the Boss?" And appeared in films such as "Brazil" Terry Gilliam passed away on February 23 at the age of 89 years.
Beverley Owen
The actress who interpreted the original version of Marilyn Munster on the mythical 1960s sitcom "The Munsters" passed away on February 24th. She was 81 years old.
Lisa Sheridan
The actress who has participated in many TV shows, including "Halt and Catch Fire," "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" and "Invasion," died Feb. 25. She was 44 years old.
Mark Hollis
The lead singer of the 1980s rock band Talk Talk died on February 26th. He was 64 years old.
Jeraldine Saunders
The creator of the ABC series "The Love Boat" died on February 26th. She was 96 years old.
André Previn
The Oscar-winning German-American musician and composer, who worked on the music of My Fair Lady, 1965 Best Film Award winner, died on February 28th. He was 89 years old.
Andrew Berends
The documentary filmmaker who worked as a cameraman on the documentary "Free Solo", winner of an Oscar, died on March 3. He was 46 years old.
Keith Flint
On March 4, the singer of the pioneering British electronics group The Prodigy was found dead. He was 49 years old.
Luke Perry
The actors "Beverly Hills 90210" and "Riverdale" died on March 5th following a stroke. He was 52 years old.
King Kong Bundy
Wrestling legend Christopher Alan Pallies died on March 5th. He was 61 years old.
Sidney Sheinberg
The long-time president and chief operating officer of MCA and Universal Studios, who is also behind the discovery and development of Stephen Spielberg's career, died on March 7 . He was 84 years old.
Jed Allan
Jed Allan, veteran of the opera-opera, best known for playing Don Craig in "Days of Our Lives," C.C. Capwell on "Santa Barbara" and Rush Sanders on "Beverly Hills, 90210" died on March 9. He was 84 years old.
Richard Erdman
Millennials, known for his work on "Community," Leonard Rodriguez of Greendale died on Saturday, March 13 at the age of 73. He was 93 years old.
Jim Raman
Dr. James "Jim" Raman, an orthodontist who competed in CBS's 'The Amazing Race' season 25, died on Monday, March 15. He was 42 years old.
Dick Dale
The man responsible for the credited song of the creation of surf rock; his version of "Misirlou", a rattler to a string that was a resounding success after appearing in "The Ed Sullivan Show" in 1963, passed away on Sunday, March 14. He was 81 years old.
Michael Lynne
The Hollywood producer who helped turn New Line Cinema into a powerhouse and executive producer of Peter Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy died on Sunday, March 21st. He was 77 years old.
Agnes Varda
The pioneering French director who emerged in the 1960s New Wave movement and continued to direct influential works, including the Oscar-nominated 2017 documentary "Faces Places", died on Thursday, March 28th. She was 90 years old.
Shane Rimmer
The Canadian actor known for his pilot role in the series "Thunderbirds" and appeared in several James Bond films, died Friday, March 29. He was 89 years old.
Shelley Lazar
The pioneer of VIP ticketing programs for everyone, from Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney to The Who, passed away on March 31st. She was 69 years old.
Nipsey Hussle
The Grammy-nominated rapper appeared in Bone Thugs-N-Harmony's semi-autobiographical film, "I Tried", who died on Sunday, March 31st. He was 33 years old.
Tania Mallet
The actress who played Tilly Masterson in James Bond's film "Goldfinger" in 1964 passed away at the end of March. She was 77 years old.
Nadja Regin
The actress who starred in two James Bond movies alongside Sean Connery died at the age of 87.
Seymour Cassel
The Oscar-nominated actor who regularly collaborated with Wes Anderson and John Cassavetes went out Sunday, April 7th. He was 84 years old.
Alexa Valiente
The award-winning ABC News producer died on Friday, April 5th. She was 27 years old.
Charles Van Doren
The quiz show contestant of the '50s who was declared ashamed and who had already received the answers in advance, died Tuesday, April 9th. He was 93 years old.
Soni Methu
The Kenyan journalist and former host of CNN's "Inside Africa" died on Thursday, April 11th. She was 34 years old.
Bibi Andersson
The Swedish actress, known for her roles in "The Seventh Seal" and "Persona", died Sunday, April 14. She was 83 years old.
Georgia Engel
The actress who played the role of Georgette Franklin in the "Mary Tyler Moore Show" between 1972 and 1977, passed away on April 12 at the age of 70.
Bradley Welsh
The former boxer who made his film debut in 2017 in Danny Boyle's "T2 Trainspotting" died Wednesday, April 17. He was 42 years old.
Chet Coppock
The sports broadcaster based in Chicago and known in the 1980s as "Godfather of Sports" died Wednesday, April 17. He was 70 years old.
Lorraine Warren
The famous researcher of paranormal activities who investigated the hauntings of "Amityville Horror" and was the subject of James Wan's film "The Conjuring", died Thursday, April 18. She was 92 years old.
Steve Golin
"Spotlight", an Oscar-winning film and television producer, and founder and CEO of Anonymous Content, died after a battle with cancer on Sunday, April 21st.
Terry Rawlings
The British film editor and his Oscar nominee for his work on "Chariots of Fire", winner of the best film, died Tuesday, April 23.
Stefanie Sherk
The Canadian model and actress known for her work on "CSI: Cyber" and "Valentine's Day" rom-com passed away on Saturday, April 20th. She was 43 years old.
John Singleton
The Oscar-nominated director of "Boyz N the Hood," the remake of "Shaft" and "2 Fast 2 Furious," who died in 2000, passed away on Monday, April 29. He was 51 years old.
Peter Mayhew
The great 7-foot-2 actor who described Chewbacca in five "Star Wars" films died Tuesday, April 30. He was 74 years old.
Alvin Sargent
The legendary screenwriter best known for his Academy Award-nominated "Ordinary People" and Oscar-nominated "Paper Moon" died on Thursday, May 9th. He was 92 years old.
Peggy Lipton
The star of the iconic "The Mod Squad" television series and part of the "Twin Peaks" cast passed away at the age of 72, her daughters Rashida and Kidada Jones told The Los Angeles Times on May 11 .
Doris Day
The actress in popular movies of the 50s and 60s such as "Pillow Talk", "The man who knew too much" and "Move Over, Darling" Alfred Hitchcock died Monday, May 13. She was 97 years old.
Tim Conway
Emmy-winning comedian and actor, who starred in "The Navy of McHale" in the 1960s and in "The Carol Burnett Show" in the 1970s, died Tuesday, May 14th. He was 85 years old.
Tom Jennings
The former artistic agent and Hollywood casting director died Thursday, April 18, announced his family. He was 81 years old.
Ashley Massaro
The former WWE Superstar passed away on Thursday, May 16 at the age of 39.
Grumpy cat
The cat whose perpetually sad expression launched thousand memes died on Friday, May 17 at the age of seven.
Sammy Shore
The legendary comic and co-founder of the Los Angeles Comedy Store passed away on Saturday, May 18th. He was 92 years old.
Gabriel Diniz
The Brazilian pop star died in a plane crash on Monday, May 27th. He was 28 years old.
Carmine caridi
The actor who played a key role in "The Godfather: 2nd Part" and "The Godfather: 3rd Part" died Wednesday, May 29th.
Johnnie Planco
The former WME agent and co-founder of the management / production company Parseghian Planco passed away on Sunday, June 2nd.
Todd Tongen
The longtime presenter and WPLG reporter in Florida died on Monday, June 3rd. He was 56 years old.
Dr. John
The legendary musician based in New Orleans who collaborated with artists such as the Rolling Stones, Christina Aguilera and The Black Keys died on Thursday, June 6th. He was 77 years old.
Max Saines
On Saturday, June 8, it was announced that the Executive of Endeavor Content TV had died as a result of pre-existing heart disease. He was 28 years old.
Sylvia Miles
The two-time Academy Award nominee for supporting roles in "Midnight Cowboy" and "Farewell, My Lovely," winner of the Best Film Award, passed away on Wednesday, June 12th. She was 94 years old.
Edith Gonzalez
The Mexican star of telenovela died early Thursday, June 13, according to reported information. She was 54 years old.
Franco Zeffirelli
The Oscar nominee, known for his big-screen version of "Romeo and Juliet" in 1968, died Saturday, June 15. He was 96 years old.
Katherine Textor
The long-time producer "60 Minutes" who worked closely with Morley Safer during his last years, died Friday, June 14 in the wake of a battle against cancer. She was 45 years old.
Gloria Vanderbilt
The fashion designer, actress, heiress, artist and citizen died Monday, June 17 of a cancer "very advanced" belly. She was 95 years old.
Milton Quon
One of the last members of the animation team who survived the golden age of Walt Disney Studios, died Tuesday, June 18th. He was 105 years old.
Elliot Roberts
The music director who led the career of iconic artists, including Joni Mitchell and Neil Young, died on Friday, June 21st. He was 76 years old.
Beth Chapman
Beth Chapman, wife of Duane's "Dog Bounty Hunter," died Wednesday, June 26 after suffering from cancer of the throat and lung. She was 51 years old.
Billy Drago
The actor who played Frank Nitti in Brian De Palma's "The Untouchables" died in Los Angeles on Monday, June 24th following a heart attack. He was 73 years old
Ben Barenholtz
The producer-distributor who helped launch the career of David Lynch and the Coen brothers died on Wednesday 26 June in Prague. He was 83 years old.
Martin Charnin
Emmy Award winner Tony and Peabody, best known as the creator, lyricist and director of the musical "Annie", died on Wednesday, July 3rd. He was 84 years old.
Arte Johnson
The writer who won an Emmy for his work on "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" died on Wednesday, July 3rd. He was 90 years old.
Cameron Boyce
The actor known for his roles in the Disney Channel series "Jessie" and the television movie franchise "Descendants" died Saturday, July 6th. He was 20 years old.
Eddie Jones
The veteran actor of film, television and theater, known for his long-time role as Jonathan Kent in the series "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman", died on Saturday, July 7th. He was 84 years old.
Denise Nickerson
The young actress is best known for her role as Violet Beauregarde in the 1971 classic "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory", who died late on Wednesday, July 10th. She was 62 years old.
Stewart the dog
The corgi who played Captain Raymond Holt's dog, Cheddar, in "Brooklyn Nine-Nine", died on Monday, July 8th. He was 13 years old.
Emily Hartridge
YouTube's personality passed away on Friday, July 12th. She was 35 years old.
Stephen Verona
The producer, co-writer and co-director of "The Lords of Flatbush" died Saturday, July 13. He was 78 years old.
David Hedison
The actor known for his work in two James Bond films and in the series "Journey to the bottom of the seas" died Thursday, July 18th. He was 92 years old.
Rutger Hauer
The Dutch actor is best known for playing the tragic villainous Roy Batty in Ridley Scott's fiction film "Blade Runner", who died on Wednesday (July 24th). He was 75 years old.
Russi Taylor
The singer behind Minnie Mouse, the icon of Disney, in hundreds of projects over the last three decades, died Saturday, July 27. Taylor was 75 years old.
Richard A. Fox
The owner of Fox Theaters and the last volunteer president of the National Association of Theater Owners passed away on Wednesday, July 28. He was 90 years old.
Grant Thompson
The popular YouTuber who has accumulated millions of subscribers and billions of views sharing experimental and deadly videos, died Wednesday, July 29, following a paragliding accident. He was 38 years old.
Harold Prince
The producer and director associated with many of Broadway's most popular musical productions of the twentieth century died at the age of 91. A frequent contributor to Stephen Sondheim and Andrew Lloyd Webber, Prince won 21 Tony Awards, more than any other career. In a traditional gesture, the lights of the marquee on Broadway were extinguished the night of his death on July 31.
Harley Race
The inductee member of the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame and eight-time world heavyweight champion, died of lung cancer on August 1 at the age of 76.
D. A. Pennebaker
The prolific documentary and chronicler of the 1960s counterculture died on August 1 at the age of 94.
Toni Morrison
The novelist, essayist and teacher died of complications from pneumonia at the age of 88 on August 5. Morrison's 11 novels earned him the Pulitzer Prize in 1988, the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1993 and the Presidential Medal for Freedom in 2012.
Peter Fonda
The two-time Academy Award nominee for "Easy Rider" and more recently for films such as "Ulee's Gold" died on Friday, August 16th. He was 79 years old.
Richard Williams
The award-winning host, known for creating Roger Rabbit, died on Friday, August 16th. He was 86 years old.
Kip Addotta
The comedian who often participated in "The Tonight Show" died the week of August 12. He was 75 years old.
David Koch
The billionaire industrialist and philanthropist, whose family empire exerted considerable political influence in conservative circles, died Friday, August 23. He was 79 years old.
Isabel Toledo
The fashion designer who equipped former First Lady Michelle Obama at the inauguration of President Barack Obama in 2009 died of breast cancer on Monday, August 26th.
Jessi Combs
The former star of "Mythbusters" and professional race car driver died on Tuesday, August 27 while she was trying to beat her own ground speed record. She was 36 years old.
Valerie Harper
The actress and feminist activist known for having interpreted the revolutionary character of the sitcom Rhoda Morgenstern from 1970 to 1978 in "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and her sequel "Rhoda", died Friday, August 30 at age 80.
A look at movie stars, television, music, sports and media lost this year
Here is a list of celebrities and professionals from the film, television, music and sports industry who passed away in 2019.
