# Franco Columbu has died. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 31, 2019, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/franco-columbu-has-died/839531 "2019-08-31T20:51:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2019, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/franco-columbu-has-died/839531/1 "2019-08-31T20:51:09Z")
[Franco Columbu, bodybuilder and Schwarzenegger friend, dies](https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/italian-bodybuilder-actor-franco-columbu-dies-aged-78-65310704) > [@](#): > > Italian bodybuilder, boxer and actor Franco Columbu, one of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s closest friends, has died in his native Sardinia. He was 78. > > Columbu died at John Paul II hospital in the city of Olbia after he became ill while swimming in the sea, the hospital said. He lived in Los Angeles for years but was vacationing in Sardinia. 2 time Mr. Olympia (75,81), chiropractor, powerlifter (bench press 525 lbs., squat 655 lbs., and dead lift 750 lbs at 5’4"-185lbs) ---
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2019, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/franco-columbu-has-died/839531/2 "2019-08-31T21:08:21Z")
I really only knew Franco from pumping iron and a couple other things but he seemed like a cool dude. I was always amazed how freakishly strong he was for his size in both relative and absolute strength he was a little powerhouse.