Every Saturday evening, Ray would host so-called Saturday night squat parties. With this realization,Mikeswore to himself to back on track. 1976 IFBB Mr. Universe 2nd (MW) Cardiovascular disease and drug overdose were found to cause an overwhelming majority of the deaths, with wrestlers being 15 times more likely to experience a cardiovascular-related death and a shocking 122 times more likely to die from drugs compared to non-athletes. * Ex-girlfriend of movie producer Robert Evans. It was a respectable comeback, coming in at a modest 3rd place, after Roger Callard, and The Black Prince, Robby Robinson. Its hard not to surmise that in his frail state of health (in the previous few months he had been rushed to the local emergency room several times) the death of his beloved brother was just too much to bear. Mike Mentzer won the Mr. Universe title in 1978 and the heavyweight division of the Mr. Olympia contest in 1979. Prior to his career at The Times, Dunn worked at the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong, the Danbury News-Times in Connecticut and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. "If they want more definition, I'll give 'em more definition," he vowed. He soon took part in the Junior Mr. America and IFBB Mr. America, winning both contests. Another great influencer of Mikes was a Russian-American novelist, philosopher, and play writer namedAyn Rand. WebThe two joined a long list of high-profile bodybuilders around 30 or so major competition winners and other prominent athletes over the past three decades who have died prematurely due to drug overdoses, heart attacks and other organ failures, and cancer. Ray, his brother, who is also suffering from illnesses, found him. To compound the loss of Mike, on June 11th, at approximately 9:00 PM, Ray died in his sleep. Ray suffered from kidney failure caused by Berger's Disease. Both brothers lived in Redondo Beach, and they shared an apartment together. Mike won the rival IFBB Mr America in 1976. Evans, the former chief of Paramount Pictures and the producer of such hits as Chinatown and The Godfather, was not charged in the crime. This is where things started going downhill. Prosecution claimed she was mastermind behind Radins murder but could not prove it. Building muscle gradually became a greater goal than athleticism, strength, and power. Or do they roll the dice just to build more muscle and drop more fat than the next guy? Mentzer though, built on this model, opted for a Heavy Duty variation. Our exclusive interview with Val Segal, the person who spent the last hours with Mike and Ray Mentzer! Dont make the same mistake.. Id answer them back. They're just average lifters wanting to look better. This routine was based on doing 6-9 reps per set at the maximum weight he could lift. The cause of death has not Then he found he was actually progressing better than before. Every lifter needs these five types of people in his life. It may be more accurate to say steroids don't kill people, abusing steroids kills people. Julie, even though our relationship had ended, was very supportive, emotionally and financially, over that whole five-year period, Mike states. that is what I am interested in. He was a judges favorite, andmany competitors believed with his new fame he could win purely on popularity. 1978 IFBB World Amateur Championships 1st (HW) Press reports of the Mentzer deaths stressed that they were both bodybuilders. The weight would be so heavy that by the 9th rep, Ray would reach failure. This biographical article relating to bodybuilding in the United States is a stub. The latter are the lifters who generally end up as statistics. Not 48 hours later, Ray was found dead in his apartment losing his battle against Bergers Disease. But Mike wouldnt listen. CLICK HERE! 1980 IFBB Mr. Olympia 5th. Death . This meant the transplant was off the table, and Ray would have to wait longer. I Think Mike was someone worth looking up to. Professional bodybuilder, author, entrepreneur, and philosopher. Ray Mentzer (August 2, 1953 June 12, 2001) was the brother of Mike Mentzer and winner of the 1979 AAU Mr. America competition. What can you take from this? Since 1999 Mikes younger brother, by 21 months, Ray had been receiving kidney dialysis and was awaiting a transplant. Tragically, Ray died just 2 days later, after missing his kidney dialysis treatment. How to take thm, [] how about Mike Mentzer, who was around 215 lbs in this photo; would your 215 lbs look like Mike []. So you have to wonder why so many seem eager to risk their lives and health for success. It made me feel like a productive genius.". * Convicted of second-degree murder and kidnaping. The coroners office is investigating the deaths of two bodybuilding brothers in their 40s who died within two days of each other in their home in the exclusive neighborhood of Rolling Hills Estates. Mike was 49, Ray was 47. If theres something to learn from Ray Mentzer, it would be; never take life for granted, make every day count, and dont spend time doing something you dont love lifes too short for that. Ray is one of the strongest bodybuilders I have ever seen in my life and Mike is equally as strong.. Despite his younger brother insisting he took a break. Ray was 9 years old and Mike was 11 years old. I hoped and expected for acquittal, said Edward Shohat, Greenbergers attorney. Almost miraculously, within a few days, he was establishing his personal-training business at Gold's Gym, Venice. He was unopposed). It was that morning that Mike was to be found dead by his sibling. Ray went to bed. ", As 1980 unfolded, however, Mike had no inkling that his competitive career was hurtling toward its conclusion. Freeze,The Governator,and to many of his fans justArnie. His forte was his strength literally. Death record, obituary, funeral notice and information about the deceased person. 1977 IFBB Mr. Universe 2nd (HW) You can do a lot with the correct carb loads and B-Vitamin mix i.e. And yet, there were still occasions when the demons visited. 2023 Greatest Physiques. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Personal Trainer, Researcher, Author, Inventor Gym Owner, Doctor, Physical Therapist, Strength & Conditioning Specialist. Ray was also a successful bodybuilder, winning the USA tall class title in 1978 and the AAU Mr. America overall in 1979. The jury also found that Mentzer and Marti killed Radin for financial gain during a kidnaping--special circumstances that open the possibility of death in the gas chamber for both men. Patent on Dorsi Flexor,AD in Biology,BS in Psychology,M.Ed. Not only is he knownas one of the greatest bodybuilders in history, but also as an action movie star, and an American politician. He was obsessed with the thought of making movies. "The magazine was doing fairly well, when, just as it started to turn a profit, the financial people - for whatever reason - pulled the plug on the whole thing and we ceased operation. Performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) is the term the public associates with anabolic steroids, even though it's a general category that can include anything from insulin to EPO, a blood "doping" endurance booster, and various non-steroid stimulants. As reported at some length in the June 14th, 2001 edition of the Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles County coroner's office is currently investigating the deaths of bodybuilding brothers Mike and Ray Mentzer, who died within two days of each other. A sad day for bodybuildingMike and Ray Mentzer Dead. Mike did not get his ideas from Jones. Eventually, investigators presented a tale of cocaine, sex and greed that they say involved the making of The Cotton Club, named after the famed Prohibition-era jazz club. please email me info@trulyhuge.com or call me at 1-503-648-1898. * June 10, 1983: New York theatrical producer Roy Radins decomposed body is found near Hungry Valley Road in northeast Los Angeles County nearly a month after he was last seen getting into a limousine with Karen Greenberger on May 13. Previously, he had started dieting 12 weeks out. One of Rays biggest influences in bodybuilding was Bill Pearl. Ray Mentzer and Mike Mentzer flexing together on a beach. The younger Mentzer was devastated as he went about making funeral arrangements. Q: Where is Mike Mentzer buried? He described this feeling as being at deaths door. Its hard not to surmise that in his frail state of health (in the previous few months he had been rushed to the local emergency room several times) the death of his beloved brother was just too much to bear. Rays intense training was often followed by 3-4 days of complete rest. I dont see anyone beating him through the early eighties. Mike was 49 and Ray was 47. All rights reserved. Almost unbelievably on going to the apartment Joanne found Ray had passed away. Little men like him need to knock the others to make themselves feel good cause they cant do it on their own!!! The day before, both he and brother Ray were working on a fitness DVD titled HIT. The doctors put him on a kidney dialysis treatment soon after, along with putting him on a kidney transplant waiting list. He dies on June 12, 2001 which was only two days after the passing of his legendary brother. One year later, he achieved same in the AAU Mr. America show. In 1983, ace inventor and entrepreneur Arthur Jones recruited Mike and brother Ray (1979 Mr. America) to work with him on research projects he was undertaking at his Nautilus headquarters in Deland, Florida. may have contributed, there was a history of heart disease in the Mentzer family - all of them died fairly young. As Im certain you know, it is very difficult to have great muscle memory retention (and probably thus the shoulder injury he dealt with early on) if you go that long in total resting states. ), "I didn't think there was anything wrong in taking stimulants to make me work as hard as I was. Atty. Then, in a shocking development, Ray Mentzer was found dead this morning, June 12. Her attorney argued during the trial that Greenberger had been framed for the murder by Milan Bellechesses, a Miami drug dealer and another Greenberger paramour who suspected Radin of stealing drugs. 4 AM: woke up and read philosophy for two hours, 9 PM: studied philosophy and dealt with mail-order administration, "I was in love with being conscious - amphetamines have that effect on a lot of people. For the record, we now know Arnold was terrific when Ray fell ill and offered his personal help and support. Within a few days of leaving thehospital, he approachedGolds Gym, Venice, and convinced them to let him start up as a personal trainer. * Convicted of second-degree murder and kidnaping. Excellent mindset for bodybuilders to learn from and improve. It was these three unfortunate events, combined with the continued use of amphetamines that would lead to Mike Mentzers decline. Many thanks for your updates! Along with more protein than 22%. As soon as that realization hit, I was appalled at how much time I had wasted. It was a crushing blow. While hospitalized it was discovered that he had experienced two silent heart attacks, wherein the victim is unaware theres a problem. It was at that event that Mikewould would be introduced toArthur Jones. There were two notable, and noble, exceptions: ex-girlfriend Julie McNew and John Little, senior writer for FLEX. The jury also found that Mentzer and Marti killed Radin for financial gain during a kidnaping--special circumstances that open the possibility of death in the gas Then also theres a lot of supplements in health stores that are designed for heavy, regular workouts, and Mentzer also sounded like he did not get regular sleep cycles. It seemed the curtain had come crashing down in tragic Shakespearian style on Mike Mentzers last act and his name would fade into just a footnote on 20th century bodybuilding .. or would it? ..on June 11th at approximately 9:00 PM, Ray Mentzer died in his sleep. A 2012 report from the American Journal of Cardiology reviewed nearly 50 different studies looking at the effects of anabolic steroids and cardiovascular/metabolic function. In spring of that year a blood clot broke loose from his leg and went to his lung. I wish he continued to compete. * June 2, 1989: Rider testifies during the preliminary hearing that murder suspects Mentzer and Marti, both former Flynt bodyguards whom he had supervised, had bragged about killing Radin. In 1983, he continued to train and ended growing to 250lbs on his very small frame. Bodybuilding.com's authors include many of the top coaches, nutritionists, and physique athletes in the world today. The two brothers dying within 48 hours of each other shocked the bodybuilding world. Required fields are marked *. The brash and ambitious Radin had made his name in New York by producing a series of successful vaudeville revivals and police union benefits.