![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Franco-Columbu.png?width=600)
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Franco-Columbu.png?width=600)
The bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s remarkable journey as an athlete, movie star, and politician is not unknown to many. The bodybuilding fans, however, cherish Arnie’s friendship with Franco Columbu. From lifting weights at the gym to brick business, The Austrian Oak and the Sardinian Strongman did most of the things in life together.
The elite American comedian Dax Shepard recently appeared on the Jimmy Kimmel Show and was nostalgic about an instance related to the two friends.
Dax Shepard once impersonated Arnold Schwarzenegger
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Arnold Schwarzenegger’s thick Austrian accent elevates his unique persona. So, many try to make Arnie’s impressions. The Terminator actor loved Dax Shepard impersonating him so much that he invited the comedian to mimic him at various events. Recounting the instance when Schwarzenegger approached him, Shepard revealed a phone call from the Governator on the Jimmy Kimmel Show.
“I had such a good time having breakfast with you. I really enjoyed you doing the impersonation of me. You know, I’m going to be doing some events, and I’d love you to bring me out on stage and do the impersonation,” Shepard narrated Arnie’s request in Terminator’s accent. When Shepard was doing well, attending multiple events and impersonating Schwarzenegger, the latter requested the comedian do a roast on him to raise some funds.
The Punk’d comedian chose the 7x Mr. Olympia’s Arnold: The Education of a Bodybuilder book and read a story from the book about Arnie and his best friend Franco Columbu roasting the Governator.
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Shepard spilled the beans on the incident and said, “I’m reading it out loud, and I’m like, ‘We would go out in the woods for hours nak*d lifting weights and drinking red wine and eating raw meat like Gladiators from a bygone era.’ My take was, ‘It’s not even metaphorical! Now you guys are bang*ng in the woods like you’re nak*d, drinking red wine, and eating raw meat.’” Arnie and Columbo had a lifetime of fun, and the 76-year-old still cherishes his friendship with the Sardinian bodybuilder.
Arnold Schwarzenegger misses Franco Columbu
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The Austrian Oak’s friendship with Franco Columbu started in 1965 when they met at a bodybuilding competition in Munich. Columbu was the best man at Arnie’s wedding with Maria Shriver in 1986. But after his demise four years ago, Schwarzenegger misses his chess games with his best buddy.
Speaking about Columbu in his Netflix documentary, Schwarzenegger said, “He was my best friend, and he was my training partner,” while flipping their photo album. Every day, Schwarzenegger goes to his living room and looks over the chessboard to cherish the moments he spent with his best friend playing chess.
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While Arnold Schwarzenegger earned unparalleled fame and success in his lifetime, it was his friendship with Franco Columbu that he cherishes the most. Do you agree? Let us know in the comments below.