Arnold Schwarzenegger is tributing a figure that played a key role in the shape of his career. Charles Gaines, the author of the book “Pumping Iron,” has died at 84. The book was responsible for the documentary of the same name, which introduced Schwarzenegger to the world and helped launch him to fame.
In a post on Instagram, Schwarzenegger reminisced about Gaines and shared some anecdotes on his adventurous spirit.
“There was no adventure too big for Charles Gaines,” he wrote
“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.”
© Getty ImagesSchwarzenegger revealed that his relationship with Gaines played a key role in his career.
“I’m lucky that he was always looking for new frontiers, because that’s how he found me and our niche sport of bodybuilding.
That’s how the book and the movie Pumping Iron launched me into the mainstream – he wrote that book and then worked relentlessly on the documentary and introduced bodybuilding to millions and millions of people. It’s how I broke into Hollywood with my first big role in Stay Hungry – a movie Charles also wrote.”
A key friendship in Schwarzenegger’s life
© Michael Ochs ArchivesAside from both developing a working relationship that played a key role in both of their lives, the two were also lifelong friends.
“You hear me say it over and over: I’m not a self-made man.
Today, I honor the amazing life of one of the people who helped make me who I am.
Charles left us today, but he’s not gone,” he continued.
“I can still hear his voice. ‘Hey Oak!’ – always followed by some unbelievable insight or philosophy, always giving us the greatest gift: making us think.
No, he isn’t gone. He lives on in his unbelievable family, and in all of the lives he touched.
He’s just off on his next adventure.”
Gaines is remembered by the people in his life
Gaines’ death was confirmed by his daughter, Greta Gaines. She did not reveal a cause.
“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 in a tribute to her father.
The story of “Pumping Iron” began in the early ’70s, with an article Gaines was writing for Sports Illustrated. The project proved to be so inspiring for Gaines that it became a book and then a documentary movie, introducing the sport of bodybuilding to the general public.
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