Doug Brignole, the widely known bodybuilding champion, passed away suddenly this Thursday. Read on to learn how did Doug Brignole die, what happened to him, and what was the cause of his death.
Tributes are flowing on social media platforms after news of Doug Brignole’s death got viral. Fans are shocked by the sudden death of the famous bodybuilding icon and fitness freak. The handsome man had a career spanning over four decades in the industry.
Who was Doug Brignole?
Doug Brignole was a widely popular American bodybuilder and fitness enthusiast. He was a former Mr. California and was known as Mr. American and Mr. Universe. Brignole was also a lecturer, author, fitness TV show host, personal trainer, and ex-Gym owner.
He start competitive bodybuilding in 1976 when he was just 16. His career spanned four decades in the bodybuilding industry. Brignole won numerous titles throughout his prolific career including AAU’s Mr. America and Mr. Universe in 1986.
Even in his 50s, the veteran continued competing in professional events and earned another Mr. Universe title 33 years after his first win. He later transitioned into fitness education and the study of biomechanics.
Brignole wrote and published two books- Million Dollar Muscle: A Historical And Sociological Perspective Of The Fitness Industry (2012) and The Physics of Resistance Exercise (2020). He was a highly venerated name in the industry.
Doug Brignole Death: Bodybuilder Dies Suddenly at 62
Doug Brignole died suddenly on Thursday, October 13, 2022. He was 62 years old and was about to turn 63 in a couple of months. The tragic news of Doug Brignole’s death was announced by bodybuilding promoter Joe Wheatley in a Facebook post.
“This one hurts really bad! May he rest in peace. Doug Brignole – 62 years old,” Wheatly wrote with a picture of Doug and tagging other names from the fitness industry.
Fans and friends are paying tribute to the late bodybuilder and two-time winner of the Mr. Universe title.
What was the cause of Doug Brignole’s death?
The exact cause of Doug Brignole’s death is unannounced at this time. Wheatley didn’t reveal the cause of his friend’s passing. We’re trying to reach out to the people close to him in an attempt to figure out the reason behind Doug Brignole’s death.
An anonymous report on social media platforms claims that Doug Brignole died after suffering a heart attack. However, this isn’t confirmed at this time and could only be speculation.
Doug Brignole Obituary: Funeral Arrangements and Tribute
Tributes have emerged celebrating the legacy of Doug Brignole and remembering him as a forever icon of fitness and bodybuilding. Several people from the industry have mourned the untimely loss of the champion alongside thousands of fans.
The funeral arrangements of Doug Brignole are pending at the time of writing. His family will announce the details soon. We’ll update this section later when more information is available.
Our deepest condolences go out to Doug Brignole’s family. May God let the departed soul rest in peace.
Very sad to hear about the sudden and tragic passing of Doug Brignole. I had great respect for Doug he was a leader and an innovator, the thinking man’s bodybuilder. We had made a commitment that we would get together after he’s up and coming guest posing exhibition for which he was training and dieting very hard for.
Not only did he have a beautifully natural, aesthetic and symmetrical physique, he also had a lot of class. He really knew about physiology and biomechanics. He did not believe in heavy loaded barbell squauts or leg presses which I tend to agree with. His views on this topic which he could back up, drew criticism and ridicule from several well known profesional bodybuilders one in particular who took exception to Doug’s views and philosophy and responded in a negative way using profanity. Doug remained a gentleman and said he would never crticisize anyone and refused to be drawn into an argument. That to me showed true class. He had nothing to prove. He wasn’t a sheep nor did he follow the masses.
His training philosophy and techniques which he developed after years of training originally under the mentorship and tutelage of the recently deceased Bill Pearl former Mr America and Mr Universe a bodybuilding icon who was like a father to him, years of trial and error and eventually achieving a degree in physiology, helped him keep him injury free and in great shape even into his sixties. His techniques, also helped rehabilitate many of his pupils who sought out his expertise after suffering from injuries as well as achieve great results in improving their physiques without many of the standard conventional methods. In my opinion because one has achieved success in bodybuilding and great muscular development and size doesn’t mean that they are physiologically aware and astute. Yet Doug’s knowledge and astuteness kept Doug and his clients injury free and maintain great shape.
I am sorry I will never get the opportunity to sit down and break bread with Doug which I was really looking forward to. He was one of a select few of innovators that I follow, have learnt from and had great respect for.
Doug you leave a huge void in our industry, you will be greatly missed by your clients and many others who admired you and followed your principles. Thanks for being a great innovator, inspirational leader, role model and mentor who set a great standard and exemplified health and fitness. Fortunately your principles will live on through your pupils and the educational books you published.
My condolences go out to your family and friends.
RIP Doug.