Muscle Seaside Bodybuilding Legend ‘Large’ Craig Monson Dies at 75

“Large” Craig Monson, a 1980’s period bodybuilding icon who usually turned heads along with his monumental arms and unbelievable power, has handed away on the age of 75.

The information comes as a blow to bodybuilding followers, as Monson was well-known for being an everyday at Muscle Seaside within the ’80s, and for contributing to the favored biography/coaching ebook titled “Craig Monson: OG Bodybuilding Legend.”

“Craig Monson handed away, he was one in all my greatest mates,” wrote Hollywood actor Danny Trejo in a touching Instagram tribute on March 8, 2026. “He was an O.G. of the road, a legend, Mr. World. Going to overlook you Large Craig Monson.” The reason for dying was not instantly launched.

From Arkansas to Muscle Seaside: Monson’s Bodybuilding Journey

James Craig Monson was born on December 6, 1950 in Arkansas, earlier than his household moved to Los Angeles and he grew to become fascinated with the larger-than-life physiques he examine in bodybuilding magazines. Monson started lifting at 12 years outdated utilizing the college gymnasium and later establishing a makeshift bench press in his mother’s yard to construct muscle. On the age of 16, he started coaching at Muscle Seaside, however tragedy struck when a combat with a burglar resulted in Monson being incarcerated for involuntary manslaughter.

After being launched in 1975, Monson grew to become much more severe about bodybuilding and educated at Invoice Pearl’s Fitness center earlier than becoming a member of Gold’s Fitness center on Venice Seaside. He entered the novice division of the Mr World contest in 1984, the place he got here fifth and was awarded the Folks’s Selection award in Switzerland. By the mid ’80s, Monson’s biceps had been mentioned to measure 23 inches with an low season weight of 310 kilos, making him one of many largest aggressive bodybuilders of the period.

Overcoming Dependancy and Returning to the Iron Recreation

Followers would flock to Muscle Seaside to see Monson’s unbelievable feats of power together with 225-pound barbell curls and seemingly bionic bench presses the place his one rep max was considered effectively over 600 kilos. Monson visitor posed all around the globe and received a number of state and nationwide competitions, however with fame got here unfavourable temptations, together with the abuse of cocaine and a ensuing state of melancholy. Many observers really feel that if habit hadn’t struck, Monson would have grow to be an IFBB Professional and been a severe Mr. Olympia contender. Fortunately, the massive man checked himself into rehab and beat his habit, returning to common coaching within the mid-90s. And, though he went public with the bodily unwanted effects that he attributed to using Human Development Hormone, he kicked that behavior too, specializing in his ebook, and a brief movie titled Black Hercules.

Information of the bodybuilding legend’s dying has led to a flood of tributed on social media. “A South-Central legend,” wrote one fan. “Relaxation in Iron,” added one other. From all at Muscle & Health, relaxation in peace “Large” Craig Monson.