Franco Columbu
| Franco Columbu | |
|---|---|
| professional bodybuilder | |
Columbu, c. 1970s | |
| Personal info | |
| Nickname | The Sardinian Strongman |
| Birth name | Francesco Maria Columbu |
| Born | August 7, 1941 Ollolai, Sardinia, Kingdom of Italy |
| Died | August 30, 2019 (aged 78) San Teodoro, Sardinia, Italy |
| Best statistics | |
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) |
| Weight | Contest: 185 lb (84 kg) Off season: 195 lb (88 kg) |
| Professional (Pro) career | |
| Best win |
|
| Predecessor | Arnold Schwarzenegger (1975, 1980) |
| Successor | Frank Zane (1977) Chris Dickerson (1982) |
| Active | Retired after 1981 Mr. Olympia |
Francesco Maria Columbu (August 7, 1941 – August 30, 2019) was an Italian-American bodybuilder and actor.
Originally a boxer, Columbu won the Mr. Olympia in 1976 and 1981, and competed in the inaugural edition of the World's Strongest Man in 1977, where he placed fifth. He also had an acting career and authored numerous books on bodybuilding and nutrition. Columbu was inducted into the IFBB Hall of Fame in 2001, International Sports Hall of Fame in 2013 and received the Arnold Classic Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009.