Who Is Tony Pearson A.K.A. Michael Jackson of Bodybuilding?

The sport of bodybuilding has seen countless talented athletes throughout its history. While some have been forgotten, some have had a resurgence. At 66, Tony Pearson finds himself on the verge of an unlikely comeback. While Pearson is among the few bodybuilders who have maintained a shredded and muscular physique at 66, an upcoming documentary on his life has thrust him into the spotlight.

The documentary Driven, made by Generation Iron, will feature the life and bodybuilding journey of the legendary bodybuilder. However, it begs a few questions. Who is Tony Pearson? How did he earn the name the Michael Jackson of bodybuilding? And why did Arnold Schwarzenegger mentor him?

Tony Peasrson’s bodybuilding journey

While Pearson maintains a phenomenal physique at 66, bodybuilding wasn’t his preferred sport as a teen. Instead, the 66-year-old was into wrestling. However, the high school wrestler suffered a knee injury. To help him recover quicker, his coach introduced him to strength training, and that is how Pearson discovered bodybuilding. Within a short time, Tony Pearson put on 20 lbs of muscle.

After realizing his potential as a bodybuilder, the former wrestler decided to pursue the sport. In the ’70s, California was the world’s bodybuilding capital. Arnold Schwarzenegger had just won his sixth Mr. Olympia title when Pearson arrived at Venice Beach. The then-rookie bodybuilder started training at Gold’s Gym, the Mecca of bodybuilding.

His physique and uncanny resemblance to Michael Jackson impressed Arnie, and the five-time Mr. Universe took him under his wing. Schwarzenegger even helped Pearson start his competitive career. While Tony Pearson would win titles like the Mr. Universe and Mr. World, his true contribution was pioneering couples bodybuilding. In 1979, Joe Gold asked the Mr. Universe to pose with Lisa Lyon.

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Their posing session would be the first time a man and woman posed together on stage. Pearson then dedicated his time to couples bodybuilding and from 1982 through 1988, would win six pro-mixed-world titles. Pearson carved a unique identity in the sport. However, Arnold Schwarzenegger helped boost his career immensely.

How Arnold Schwarzenegger helped Tony Pearson shine

The seven-time Mr. Olympia spotted Pearson at Gold’s Gym and approached him. “I have been watching you – you train very hard, let me take you through a workout,” said Arnie. Pearson was over the moon to be learning from the Austrian Oak. However, Arnie did more than show him a few exercises. He gave Peasron Joe Weider’s address.

The five-time Mr. Olympia told the rookie to contact Weider. “Go there, tell him that I sent you. He should write an article on you for his magazine Muscle Builder.” the bodybuilding legend told the then-amateur bodybuilder. Schwarzenegger also featured Tony Peasron in his famous book The Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding.

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From discovering the sport after an injury to meeting Arnold Schwarzenegger and leaving a lasting impact on mixed bodybuilding, Pearson had a unique career. Are you excited about his upcoming documentary?