Arnold Schwarzenegger often comes to mind when thinking of bodybuilders who transitioned to acting. However, the bodybuilder who inspired Schwarzenegger to pursue bodybuilding and acting followed in the footsteps of another. The first man, who started as a bodybuilder and then transitioned to acting with immense success defeated Arnie’s idol in the second edition of the Mr. Universe contest.

On June 10, the Instagram page Chicagoadonis uploaded a rare image of 50s Hollywood heartthrob Steve Reeves. Reeves was one of the first leading men to portray Hercules on the silver screen. However, the picture of Reeves uploaded by the page was not from the set of Hercules (1958) but from the bodybuilding stage, featuring a unique trophy molded in the image of the father of bodybuilding.

The man who defeated the idol and mentor of Arnold Schwarzenegger

Chicagoadonis uploaded an image of Steve Reeves from 1952. In May of that year, the bodybuilding icon graced the front cover of The Bodybuilder magazine. A younger Reeves posed on stage after winning the 1950 NABBA Mr. Universe contest. The 1950 edition of the contest was its second edition and “Mr. Reeves was considered to be the first official winner.”

It’s noteworthy that in the 50s, the NABBA was the premiere bodybuilding federation. While the IFBB had existed for four years at that point, Joe Weider was yet to establish the Mr. Olympia contest. “Mr. Reeves defeated the up-and-coming British physique star Reg Park to win the tall class,” Chicagoadonis wrote in the caption.

He also defeated John Lees, Juan Ferrero, and Don Dorans to become the overall champion. For his winning effort, Reeves received the now iconic trophy “bearing the likeness” of the father of bodybuilding, Eugene Sandow. Steve Reeves retired from competitive bodybuilding at 24 and pursued acting. Reg Park, who became Arnie’s first icon, followed in Reeve’s footsteps.

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However, it’s important to note that while Park was the first man to inspire Arnold Schwarzenegger, Reeves was also a huge inspiration for the Austrian Oak.

Arnie named his G.O.A.T

In December 2022, Armold Schwarzenegger sat for a chat with YouTuber Nick Miller. The 75-year-old appeared on his channel Nick’s Strength and Power. During the interview, Miller asked Arnie who he thought was the best bodybuilder of all time. While Arnie holds Reg Park in high regard, he chose Steve Reeves.

“You know I still think that Steve Reeves was the greatest bodybuilder of all time because of the kind of the beauty he had,” said Schwarzenegger. While the seven-time Mr. Olympia admitted others might have a different opinion, for him, Steve Reeves set the standard.

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Did you know that Reeves defeated Park? Do you also think he was the greatest of all time? Let us know in the comments.