Arnold Schwarzenegger – Pumping Iron
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Arnold Schwarzenegger became
internationally famous
after appearing in the 1977 docudrama ‘Pumping Iron’
Before Arnold Schwarzenegger was an actor, film star, model, businessman, philanderer, adulterer and politician who served as the 38th Governor of California (2003–2011), he was a professional bodybuilder. He won numerous titles, Mr. Austria, Mr. Europe, Mr. World, Mr. Olympia, Mr. Universe and probably Mr. Galaxy.
Hail Victory
Schwarzenegger muscles his way to stardom
Pumping Iron is a 1977 docudrama about the world of bodybuilding. The book as well as the movie are about the run-up to the 1975 Mr. Olympia bodybuilding competition. Released by George Butler’s company Cinegate, the film focuses on Arnold Schwarzenegger and his competitors, Lou Ferrigno and Franco Columbu. The documentary was co-directed by Robert Fiore and George Butler. It was based on the book of the same name by Charles Gaines and George Butler (Simon and Schuster, 1974).
In addition to popularizing bodybuilding, Pumping Iron was the world’s introduction to Arnold Schwarzenegger and was a contributing factor to his acting career; Margaret Walters comments that together with the book of the same name, it made Schwarzenegger “a household name – and body – even to people who have never seen the inside of a gym.” Franco Columbu would go on to win the Mr. Olympia title in 1976 and 1981 and eventually became a practicing chiropractor and actor. Lou Ferrigno also went on to much success: though he never became Mr. Olympia, he succeeded in television and movies, starring as the title character in the TV series The Incredible Hulk. But, it was Schwarzenegger who took the title of Mr. Famous.
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No matter what anyone says, Arnold is one of the “American Dream” stories. He took what few skills he had at a young age, along with a human frame that withstood a tremendous amount of work, and made the most of it. Since I did not keep up with California politics I don’t know what kind of job he did as governor, but I do remember that when they had several of the disasters he was always out there on the scene. I think he would be an interesting person to meet.
I actually met him. He sat in my car between filming scenes on the movie True Lies, partly filmed in the Florida Keys. He is one of the nicest guys I ever met.