Arnold Schwarzenegger delivers a heartfelt ode to Franco Columbo, whom he regarded as his best friend and with whom he appeared in innumerable movies.
One of Arnold’s closest friends was the actor and bodybuilder Franco, who was from Italy.
Franco and Arnold collaborated on a number of movies, including Terminator. Together, they worked out and exercised in both Italy and the United States.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Franco’s family and Arnold Schwarzenegger during this difficult time.
He claims that his “partner in crime” and fellow bodybuilder, who died at age 78, made his life “more complete.”
Franco Columbu, an Italian actor and bodybuilder, died at 78. Arnold Schwarzenegger referred to him as his “best friend” in a touching tribute on social media.
The two actors co-starred in movies like The Terminator, The Running Man, and Conan the Barbarian. Columbu was a two-time Mr. Olympia.
According to the Associated Press, he became ill while swimming in the sea and passed away at a hospital in his native Sardinia.
The 72-year-old Hollywood veteran posted pictures of himself and his Italian friend at various points in their lives on Instagram as an homage to their friendship.
The former governor of California and actor said Columbu made his life “happier, more colorful, and richer” in an emotional ode posted on Instagram.
“But I’m also grateful for our 54 years of friendship and enjoyment.”
“You were my partner in crime from the day we met in Munich,” Schwarzenegger wrote of Columbu.
“I knew I wouldn’t be the same without my best friend, so I asked Joe Weider to bring you to training with me.”
“I could live without money or my parents, but not without you.”
In order to make ends meet, Columbu and Schwarzenegger started the bricklaying business European Brick Works in 1969, according to an interviewer who spoke with him.
Schwarzenegger denied it, but that was allegedly before the candidate had a legitimate work visa.
In a statement, he expressed thanks for their relationship and the “54 years of joy we shared” while being “devastated” by Columbu’s death.
“We did everything together, including the pumps, chess matches, construction work, lunches, practical jokes, and life lessons,” he wrote.
“We grew together by learning and loving.”
Columbu’s only heirs are Maria, his daughter, and his wife, Debbie.
