Charles Gaines, the bodybuilding guru who turned Schwarzenegger into a star, dies at 84

Charles Gaines, the writer who introduced the world to Arnold Schwarzenegger and helped elevate bodybuilding from a fringe phenomenon into a staple of popular culture, has died at the age of 84. His daughter confirmed he passed away on Tuesday, though she did not specify the cause of death.

In 1974, Gaines co-authored the book "Pumping Iron: The Art and Sport of Bodybuilding" with George Butler, bringing the world of professional bodybuilding to the mainstream. The book inspired the documentary film "Pumping Iron," which centered on the rivalry between Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno leading up to the Mr. Olympia competition.

The film and the book were pivotal in Schwarzenegger’s rise to fame. He went on to win the Mr. Olympia title seven times and the Mr. Universe title five times. This exposure paved the way for his film career and, eventually, his political path as the governor of California.

Schwarzenegger paid tribute to Gaines on Instagram, writing that the author’s curiosity led him on adventures across the globe. "I’m lucky that he was always looking for new frontiers, because that’s how he found me and our niche industry, bodybuilding," he wrote.

Throughout his career, Gaines published several other works, including the novel "Stay Hungry," which was adapted into a film featuring one of Schwarzenegger’s earliest roles. Gaines is survived by his wife and three children.