Ed Corney

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Ed Corney
Bodybuilder
Corney in the 1970s
Personal info
Born(1933-11-09)November 9, 1933
Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, U.S.
DiedJanuary 1, 2019(2019-01-01) (aged 85)
Manteca, California, U.S.
Height5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Professional career
Pro-debut
  • 1967
Best win
  • IFBB Mr. Universe
  • 1972
Active1967–1998

Edward Charles Corney (November 9, 1933 – January 1, 2019)[1] 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.[2]

Early life[edit]

Corney was born on November 9, 1933, in Honolulu, then in the Territory of Hawaii.[3] After graduating from the Saint Louis School in 1952, he served four years in the United States Coast Guard.[3][4] 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.[3][2]

Bodybuilding career[edit]

Corney began bodybuilding at the age of 27 after being impressed with the physiques of an opposing volleyball team made up of bodybuilders.[2][3] Standing at 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m),[4] Corney won the first contest he competed in, Mr. Fremont 1967, at the age of 33.[2][3] In 1968, he added Mr. Heart of California, Mr. Northern California, Mr. Westerner, and Mr. Golden West to his titles.[5]

In the 1970s, Corney continued to climb the bodybuilding ladder with wins at the 1970 Iron Man, the 1971 AAU Mr. California, 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.[3] He also won the IFBB Mr. America in 1972,[6] and Mr. World in 1973 and 1974.[3]

Corney appeared in the 1977 bodybuilding documentary Pumping Iron.[7] In one scene, he collapses in exhaustion after an intense squat workout with training partner Arnold Schwarzenegger.[2] Later in the film, Schwarzenegger is enthralled watching Corney's disciplined posing routine, saying, "Can you believe that? I mean, that—that's what I call posing!"[2] Corney was also featured on the cover of the film's book companion, Pumping Iron: The Art and Sport of Bodybuilding by Charles Gaines and George Butler.[6]

Corney continued to compete in the 1980s.[6] In a 1985 interview, he acknowledged using steroids, though he attributed his success to "97 percent training and three percent steroids."[6] In 1994, Corney won the 60+ division of the Masters Olympia.[8] He won again in 1995, he was placed 11th overall in 1996, and he took second in the 60+ division in 1997.[9] He also competed in 1998 in the only Masters event ever to be held at the Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic.[9] Corney remained active in bodybuilding up until his death. He was inducted into the IFBB Hall of Fame in 2004.[10]

Personal life and death[edit]

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.[11]

Corney suffered a brain aneurysm on December 25, 2018,[12][13] and died on January 1, 2019, at the age of 85 at his home in Manteca, California.[4] 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."[13]

Contest history[edit]

Source:[5]

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


See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Arrivals". The Honolulu Advertiser. November 17, 1933. p. 4. ...Edward Charles was welcomed at Kaiolani Maternity Home on Thursday of last week by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Kepa Corney...
  2. ^ a b c d e f Robson, David (January 19, 2019). "An Interview with Bodybuilding Legend Ed Corney". Bodybuilding.com. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Hogan, Carol (August 8, 1983). "Corney left volleyball in the sand for a whole new game in the gym". The Honolulu Advertiser. p. 32. Retrieved January 2, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b c Cataluna, Lee (February 3, 2019). "Hawaii-Born Bodybuilder Was Posing Perfection". The Honolulu Star-Advertiser. p. B1. Ed Corney, the Oahu-Born, Saint Louis High School grad, died Jan 1. in Manteca, Calif., where made his home.
  5. ^ a b "Contests". EdCorney.net. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d Larcombe, James E. (October 19, 1985). "Pumping iron has its rewards". The Missoulian. p. 11. Retrieved January 2, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ Pollock, Dale (June 3, 1977). "Freaks Become Human in 'Pumping Iron'". Santa Cruz Sentinel. p. 18. Retrieved January 2, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ Mitchell, Kent (September 10, 1994). "Murray again reigns supreme as Ms. Olympia. Robinson beats Ferrigno for 1st Master Olympia title". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 53. Retrieved January 2, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ a b "Ed Corney | IFBB Professional League". Archived from the original on September 19, 2016. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
  10. ^ "IFBB Hall of Fame Inductees 1999-2011" (PDF). IFBB. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 13, 2019. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
  11. ^ Campbell, Jason (January 3, 2019). "Bodybuilding legend Corney passes at 85". Manteca Bulletin. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  12. ^ Magnante, Matthew (January 2, 2018). "Hall of Fame Bodybuilder Ed Corney Passes Away at 85". Fitness Volt. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
  13. ^ a b "Arnold Schwarzenegger leads tributes to Hall of Fame bodybuilder Ed Corney". South China Morning Post. January 5, 2019. Retrieved January 8, 2019.

External links[edit]

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