Arnold Schwarzenegger Remembers His 'Pumping Iron' Mentor Charles Gaines

Remembering a Visionary: Charles Gaines

In the sun-drenched city of Los Angeles, known for its star-studded sidewalks and glitzy dreams, Arnold Schwarzenegger took a moment to pay tribute to someone who had a colossal impact on his journey to fame. Charles Gaines, the man behind the transformative book 'Pumping Iron,' has passed away at 84, leaving a legacy that is forever etched in the history of bodybuilding and beyond.

Adventure and Inspiration

Reflecting on his friendship with Gaines, Schwarzenegger shared on Instagram how the author's boundless curiosity and love for adventure inspired countless stories and lives. "There was no adventure too big for Charles Gaines," Schwarzenegger reminisced. "He climbed mountains, trekked across ice, fished, and hunted on almost every continent, writing about every adventure in a way that captured people’s hearts and minds."

"He was interested in everything – and his interest was contagious."

Schwarzenegger credited Gaines with discovering not just him, but the entire sport of bodybuilding, giving him the push into Hollywood with 'Pumping Iron' and the film 'Stay Hungry,' another Gaines project.

A Friendship Beyond Fame

The relationship between Schwarzenegger and Gaines went beyond professional boundaries. They shared a bond that was as strong as the muscles that launched Schwarzenegger to international fame. Gaines' relentless pursuit of new frontiers and unforgettable insights were cornerstones of this friendship.

Legacy of a Lifetime

“You hear me say it over and over: I’m not a self-made man,” Schwarzenegger confessed, highlighting how Gaines was one of the pivotal figures in his life. "Charles left us today, but he’s not gone," he continued. "He's just off on his next adventure."

Gaines' passing was confirmed by his daughter, Greta Gaines, who paid homage to her father’s zest for life. "Follow that bliss, catch that fish and kiss those lips while you can because my father was the live life to the fullest kinda guy," she wrote.

The story of 'Pumping Iron' began in the early '70s with an article for Sports Illustrated, eventually becoming a landmark documentary that introduced bodybuilding to the mainstream audience.