Schwarzenegger to Honor Fitness Trailblazer LaLanne
(CBS/AP) Before he was a movie star or governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger was Mr. Olympia. It's in his capacity as a disciple of physical fitness that he'll honor the late fitness pioneer Jack LaLanne at a Los Angeles service.
Schwarzenegger, TV fitness guru Richard Simmons and former "Hulk" TV star Lou Ferrigno will be among those taking part in a "Celebration of Life" for LaLanne on Tuesday. Schwarzenegger spokesman Daniel Ketchell says the former California governor and bodybuilder will speak at the event.
LaLanne died of respiratory failure due to pneumonia on Jan. 23, 2011, at his home in Morro Bay on California's central coast, his longtime agent Rick Hersh said. LaLanne was 96.
LaLanne encouraged generations of TV viewers to exercise daily and promoted weight training for women at a time when that was considered revolutionary. He also founded a chain of fitness studios and touted the value of raw fruit and vegetables.
LaLanne ate healthy and exercised every day of his life up until the end, Hersh said. And to the end, he promoted the lifetstyle for others.