Ed Corney

Edward Charles Corney (November 9, 1933 – January 1, 2019) was an American professional bodybuilder. He won many prizes in his 30s, including Mr. Universe in 1972, and was featured in the 1977 bodybuilding docudrama Pumping Iron. Known for his excellent posing routines, he continued competitive bodybuilding into his 60s, winning the 60+ division of the Masters Olympia twice. Corney was inducted in the International Federation of Bodybuilding Hall of Fame in 2004.

Early life Corney was born on November 9, 1933, in Honolulu, then in the Territory of Hawaii. After graduating from the Saint Louis School in 1952, he served four years in the United States Coast Guard. After his service, he worked first as an aviation radio mechanic in Oakland, California, and then "a full-time bar owner and bouncer" in San Jose.

In the 1970s, Corney continued to climb the bodybuilding ladder with wins at the 1970 Iron Man and the 1971 AAU Mr. California. He entered the professional ranks with wins at the 1971 IFBB Mr. USA and the 1972 IFBB Mr. America. His best career win came in 1972, capturing the IFBB Mr. Universe title in Baghdad, Iraq. and Mr. World in 1973 and 1974. In one scene, he collapses in exhaustion after an intense squat workout with training partner Arnold Schwarzenegger. He won again in 1995, he was placed 11th overall in 1996, and he took second in the 60+ division in 1997. He also competed in 1998 in the only Masters event ever to be held at the Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic.

Personal life and death In 1999, Corney suffered a heart attack while undergoing shoulder surgery, and subsequently suffered two strokes as an after-effect of his heart attack. Despite the health setbacks, he continued to train.

Corney suffered a brain aneurysm on December 25, 2018, and died on January 1, 2019, at the age of 85 at his home in Manteca, California. Shortly after his death, former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger tweeted, "Ed Corney was a jewel of a guy. He was one of the greatest posers bodybuilding has ever seen, and he was a fantastic training partner. He inspired me and I’ll miss him dearly. My thoughts are with his family."

Contest history Source: Year Federation Contest Division Finish 1967 Mr. Fremont 1st 1967 Mr. Central California 1st 1968 Mr. Heart of California 1st 1968 AAU Mr. Northern California 1st 1968 Mr. Westerner 1st 1968 Mr. Golden West 1st 1968 AAU Mr. California 5th 1969 AAU Mr. Western America 1st 1970 Mr. Pacific Coast 1st 1970 Iron Man 1st 1970 AAU Mr. America 11th 1970 AAU Mr. California Most Muscular 2nd 1971 AAU Mr. America 4th 1971 IFBB Mr. America Short 1st 1971 AAU Mr. California Most Muscular 1st 1971 IFBB Mr. USA Short & Overall 1st 1971 IFBB Mr. Universe Medium 3rd 1972 IFBB Mr. America Short & Overall 1st 1972 IFBB Mr. International Short 1st 1972 IFBB Mr. Universe Medium & Overall 1st 1973 IFBB Mr. World Medium 1st 1974 IFBB Mr. International Short 1st 1974 IFBB Mr. World Short 1st 1975 Mr. Olympia Lightweight 2nd 1975 IFBB World Pro Championships Lightweight 2nd 1976 Mr. Olympia Lightweight 3rd 1977 Mr. Olympia 3rd 1977 Mr. Olympia Short 2nd 1978 IFBB Night of Champions 4th 1978 Mr. Olympia 7th 1978 Mr. Olympia Lightweight 4th 1979 IFBB Canada Pro Cup Did Not Place 1979 IFBB Grand Prix Pennsylvania Did Not Place 1979 IFBB Night of Champions 8th 1979 Mr. Olympia Lightweight 9th 1979 IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Invitational 8th 1979 IFBB Southern Pro Cup 7th 1979 IFBB World Pro Championships 5th 1980 IFBB Grand Prix Miami 6th 1980 IFBB Grand Prix Pennsylvania 6th 1980 IFBB Night of Champions 4th 1980 Mr. Olympia 11th 1980 IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Invitational 6th 1980 IFBB Universe Pro Did Not Place 1980 IFBB World Pro Championships Did Not Place 1981 Mr. Olympia 13th 1983 Mr. Olympia 14th 1989 Superbowl of Bodybuilding PBA 4th 1994 Masters Mr. Olympia 10th 1994 Masters Mr. Olympia 60+ Category 1st 1995 Masters Mr. Olympia 11th 1995 Masters Mr. Olympia 60+ Category 1st 1996 Masters Mr. Olympia 11th 1997 Masters Mr. Olympia 60+ Category 2nd 1998 Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic Masters 10th