Charles Gaines, the author whose book and documentary ‘Pumping Iron’ helped bring professional bodybuilding into the mainstream and introduce Arnold Schwarzenegger to the world, has died. He was 84.

Life and Career

Gaines collaborated with George Butler to write ‘Pumping Iron: The Art and Sport of Bodybuilding,’ which led to the making of the documentary ‘Pumping Iron,’ for which Butler and Gaines wrote the script.

Gaines was raised in Alabama and earned a bachelor’s degree from Birmingham-Southern College and a Master of Fine Arts in writing from the University of Iowa. He published numerous books throughout his career, including ‘Waters Far and Near: Tales of Angling Adventure and Misadventure Around the World’ and the novels ‘Stay Hungry,’ ‘Dangler’ and ‘Survival Games.’ ‘Stay Hungry’ was adapted into a movie starring Jeff Bridges, giving Schwarzenegger his first movie role.

Schwarzenegger, who won seven Mr. Olympia and five Mr. Universe titles and who was pictured flexing on the cover of ‘Pumping Iron,’ would harness the attention into a career, first in movies — including ‘The Terminator,’ ‘True Lies,’ ‘Twins’ and ‘Predator’ — and then politics, becoming governor of California from 2003 to 2011.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.