Franco Columbu
Biography
Franco Columbu was an Italian-born American bodybuilder and actor who started out as a boxer and shepherd in Sardinia. He moved to Germany for work and later settled in California, where he trained with Joe Weider and built a bodybuilding career. He claimed the Mr. Olympia title in 1976 and 1981, took fifth in the first World's Strongest Man competition in 1977, and set powerlifting records in the bench press, squat, and deadlift. In film, he appeared as himself in Pumping Iron (1977) and had roles in Conan the Barbarian (1982) and The Terminator (1984). He also served as Sylvester Stallone's bodybuilding coach on Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985). Later he wrote and produced Beretta's Island (1993) and directed Doublecross on Costa's Island. He authored books on bodybuilding and nutrition and entered the IFBB Hall of Fame in 2001.
78years old at death
- Born Ollolai
- Died Olbia
- Star sign: LeoThe sign runs July 23 to August 22
- Francesco Columbu (birth name)
Movie Career
- Films
- 7
- Career span
- 16 years1977 to 1993
Genres
First and latest
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A first
In 1978 Columbu earned a place in The Guinness Book of Records by blowing into a hot water bottle until it burst, a feat he completed in 55 seconds.
A first
Columbu took part in the first World's Strongest Man in 1977. He came in fifth, and the four men ahead of him each weighed about 100 lb more.
A change of course
Before bodybuilding, Columbu was a boxer who won over 30 fights, then quit the sport saying boxing was too rough on the face and head.
Behind the camera
Columbu also wrote and produced later films, among them the cult film Beretta's Island, Doublecross on Costa's Island, which he directed, and Ancient Warriors. All three were shot almost entirely in his homeland of Sardinia.
Franco Columbu movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
Arnold Schwarzenegger appears in four of them, more than any other actor. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Arnold Schwarzenegger's page
Sven-Ole Thorsen's page
Elizabeth Kaitan's page
Kevin Peter Hall's page
Van Quattro's page
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.