Edward Charles Corney (November 9, 1933 – January 1, 2019) 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.
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Early life
Corney was born on November 9, 1933, in Honolulu, then in the Territory of Hawaii. After graduating from the Saint Louis School in 1952, he served four years in the United States Coast Guard. 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.
Bodybuilding career
Corney began bodybuilding at the age of 27 after being impressed with the physiques of an opposing volleyball team made up of bodybuilders. Standing at 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m), Corney won the first contest he competed in, Mr. Fremont 1967, at the age of 33. In 1968, he added Mr. Heart of California, Mr. Northern California, Mr. Westerner, and Mr. Golden West to his amateur titles.
In the 1970s, Corney continued to climb the bodybuilding ladder with wins at the 1970 Iron Man and the 1971 AAU Mr. California. He entered the professional ranks with wins at 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. He also won the IFBB Mr. America in 1972, and Mr. World in 1973 and 1974.
Corney appeared in the 1977 bodybuilding documentary Pumping Iron. In one scene, he collapses in exhaustion after an intense squat workout with training partner Arnold Schwarzenegger. 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!" 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.
Corney continued to compete in the 1980s. In a 1985 interview, he acknowledged using steroids, though he attributed his success to "97 percent training and three percent steroids." In 1994, Corney won the 60+ division of the Masters Olympia. He won again in 1995, he was placed 11th overall in 1996, and he took second in the 60+ division in 1997. He also competed in 1998 in the only Masters event ever to be held at the Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic. Corney remained active in bodybuilding up until his death. He was inducted into the IFBB Hall of Fame in 2004.
Personal life and death
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.
Corney suffered a brain aneurysm on December 25, 2018, and died on January 1, 2019, at the age of 85 at his home in Manteca, California. 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."
Contest history
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