Bodybuilding Champion Frank Columbo

Franco Columbo – Bodybuilder, Actor, Chiropractor

Franco Columbo is more than just a bodybuilder; He is also a competitor in the World's Strongest Man challenge and an Italian actor. He was born in August of 1941 in Sardinia, Italy. During his competing days he had a weight between 180 and 185 lbs and stood at 5 feet 5 inches tall. His professional bodybuilding debut came in 1968 with a Mister Universe competition, and his best win was an IFBB Mr. Olympia win in 1976 and 1981. He succeeded California's Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and was succeeded by Frank Zane and Chris Dickerson in this competition.

Franco Columbo’s first title was in 1966 where he became Mr. Europe. In 1968 he claimed his first NABBA title as Mr. Universe for Most Muscular. Later in 1969 Franco worked to secure 4 titles; IFBB Mr. Europe for Medium, NABBA Mr. Universe for Most Muscular, NABBA Mr. Universe for Short and IFBB Mr. Universe for Short. 1970 paved the way for 4 additional titles; IFBB Mr. Europe for both Short and Overall, AAU Mr. World Pro for Short, IFBB Mr. World for Short, IFBB Mr. Universe for both Short and Overall. IN 1971 He took IFBB Mr. Universe for both Short and Overall but was later disqualified because he was selling bodybuilding booklets, but he still managed to later take the Mr. World for both Lightweight and the Overall title.

Between the years 1974 and 1976 he took the Mr. Olympia Lightweight title every single time, and he took another title once again in the year 1981. In 1977 he managed to take a 5th place win in the World’s Strongest Man competition. He was in first place until he dislocated his leg during the competition on national television and the injuries required extensive surgery to repair. He continued to participate in bodybuilding championships and tournaments for several additional years before retiring from competition in 1981.

Franco Columbo has a 750 lb dead lift record in addition to a 665lb squat record and a bench press record of 525 lbs. These are impressive numbers for having a body weight of less than 190 lbs. In addition to all of his athletic accomplishments, he has also made a number of small forays into the world of acting. He appeared alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger in a movie called Pumping Iron. He also appeared in a number of cameo roles including Running Man, The Terminator and Conan the Barbarian. He currently works as a chiropractor and has been serving on the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners since 2006.