Author Topic: Franco Columbu - RIP - August 30th, 2019 (Read 37694 times)

The Scott · « **Reply #101 on:** August 31, 2019, 07:54:55 AM »

I met him briefly along with Ken Waller in 1975 at the original Gold's. He had a great sense of humor and like Waller, appeared to be the personification of tremendous physical power and good health.

Irongrip400 · « **Reply #102 on:** August 31, 2019, 08:14:26 AM »

Quote from: Thin Lizzy on August 30, 2019, 03:47:14 PM

As someone who was never the greatest benchpresser , I was just gobsmacked by this scene in Pumping Iron.

It is one of the scenes that stuck out the first time I watched this in college (when HBO did the re-air) and I couldn’t believe how easy he popped it back up while laughing. Strong fucking dude.

beakdoctor · « **Reply #103 on:** August 31, 2019, 09:28:08 AM »

Franco was often criticized on bodybuilding forums for being so content to live in Arnold's shadow but I would argue that Franco represents an ideal standard. He could back up his championship physique with true power and strength, he could also back up his feats of strength as he was an accomplished amateur boxer. Few people can boast that combination of appearance, function and ability.

OneMoreRep · « **Reply #104 on:** August 31, 2019, 10:07:30 AM »

Everyone needs a best friend.

I think Franco lived a good life. I know many have claimed that he lived in Arnold's shadow, but think about the alternative. He could have been just another Mr. Olympia winner that then became a worker for a supplement company, to then find himself at expos signing autographs and charging $20 for a picture. Instead, this man lived as the best friend to the man that was once the king of Hollywood, Bodybuilding & California Politics. Arnold is iconic, as we all know, and Franco was there as his wing-man. Not everyone can be the king, but if you roll with that caravan, you reap many rewards and find yourself living a pretty great life as well. Not everyone can be the quarterback of the Patriots, but just because you play lineman, doesn't mean that you don't live like a rock star.

For those that know the true meaning of a best friend, you could understand why this would mean so much to Arnold. In all honesty, there might have never been an Arnold to the extent that we know him without a Franco. Sure, he would have made it far, but Franco might have certainly been a key ingredient to the man we know and love.

Here's to best friends!

**I saw these picture on another site and felt compelled to post them here, as they are truly beautiful and brought tears to my eyes**

RIP Franco.

"1"

MP · « **Reply #105 on:** August 31, 2019, 11:01:27 AM »

R.I.P.

The Scott · « **Reply #106 on:** August 31, 2019, 11:21:27 AM »

With daughter Maria and wife, Deborah.

mryorkielover · « **Reply #107 on:** August 31, 2019, 12:57:26 PM »

Desolate · « **Reply #108 on:** August 31, 2019, 05:32:56 PM »

This sucks.

R.I.P., Sardinian Samson.

6 Reps · « **Reply #109 on:** August 31, 2019, 05:33:55 PM »

Quote from: funk51 on August 30, 2019, 12:11:41 PM

rip

His book came out right at the same time I began my own body building. So I bought it. It was a good little book.

6 Reps · « **Reply #110 on:** August 31, 2019, 05:37:02 PM »

Early Franco

:

6 Reps · « **Reply #111 on:** August 31, 2019, 05:40:57 PM »

In the gym

:

6 Reps · « **Reply #112 on:** August 31, 2019, 05:45:28 PM »

With Arnold

:

6 Reps · « **Reply #113 on:** August 31, 2019, 05:47:23 PM »

RIP

:

Primemuscle · « **Reply #114 on:** August 31, 2019, 06:31:19 PM »

Franco was an incredibly handsome man in his youth. Maybe being tall isn't all it's cracked up to be.

mryorkielover · « **Reply #115 on:** August 31, 2019, 07:01:12 PM »

Quote from: Primemuscle on August 31, 2019, 06:31:19 PM

Franco was an incredibly handsome man in his youth. Maybe being tall isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Good looking or not, being tall ALWAYS outweighs all other traits. Now if you are lucky enought to be tall and good looking, watch out ladies.

mryorkielover · « **Reply #116 on:** August 31, 2019, 07:25:57 PM »

johnny1 · « **Reply #117 on:** August 31, 2019, 07:26:28 PM »

RIP one of the pound for pound strongest Mr Olympia’s of them all and had a very powerful dense physique in his prime.

Oblique · « **Reply #118 on:** August 31, 2019, 07:55:38 PM »

It is just a reminder that time goes by so fast.

RIP, Franco.

mryorkielover · « **Reply #119 on:** August 31, 2019, 08:52:51 PM »

Franco Columbu was selling Autographed Bodybuilding Photos for $19 plus Free shipping. Unfortunately the checkout is disabled right now. Probably going to raise the prices when the website is back up and running. What do you think the new prices will be per photo?

.

Tha Grim Lifter · « **Reply #120 on:** September 01, 2019, 05:45:59 AM »

He probably planned it to take attention away from Dorian having a hurricane named after him

Dr.J · « **Reply #121 on:** September 01, 2019, 07:29:29 AM »

R.I.P.

karasan · « **Reply #122 on:** September 01, 2019, 08:01:00 AM »

Great points, I totally agree.
I mean Arnold was an apex Alpha, a kind of rare man that could dominate other gifted man.
With Arnold's igh iq, wit, never ending energy and passion, Franco definitely was someone special.
Otherwise Arnold wouldn't keep him around for 5 decades.
Franco must have been loyal, witty as Arnold, energetic and fun loving to able keep up with Arnold.

Quote from: OneMoreReplink=topic=656710.msg9266034#msg9266034 date=1567271250

Everyone needs a best friend.

I think Franco lived a good life. I know many have claimed that he lived in Arnold's shadow, but think about the alternative. He could have been just another Mr. Olympia winner that then became a worker for a supplement company, to then find himself at expos signing autographs and charging $20 for a picture. Instead, this man lived as the best friend to the man that was once the king of Hollywood, Bodybuilding & California Politics. Arnold is iconic, as we all know, and Franco was there as his wing-man. Not everyone can be the king, but if you roll with that caravan, you reap many rewards and find yourself living a pretty great life as well. Not everyone can be the quarterback of the Patriots, but just because you play lineman, doesn't mean that you don't live like a rock star.

For those that know the true meaning of a best friend, you could understand why this would mean so much to Arnold. In all honesty, there might have never been an Arnold to the extent that we know him without a Franco. Sure, he would have made it far, but Franco might have certainly been a key ingredient to the man we know and love.

Here's to best friends!

**I saw these picture on another site and felt compelled to post them here, as they are truly beautiful and brought tears to my eyes**

RIP Franco.

"1"

6 Reps · « **Reply #123 on:** September 01, 2019, 09:10:21 AM »

I think this is Franco on the far right. I also think it’s very cool that all the guys are standing on kitchen tables!!

NarcissisticDeity · « **Reply #124 on:** September 01, 2019, 09:20:35 AM »