Founder and original owner of Gold's Gym. Later co-owned World Gym
International with long-time friend Gordon Mitchell.
Over the years the Gold's Gym chain increased to 43 in the United
States and 25 in foreign countries.
Gold's Gym was made famous by Arnold Schwarzenegger during his bodybuilding days. When Pumping Iron (1977) came out, the original
Gold's Gym in Venice Beach, CA, became a mecca for bodybuilders.
He sold the gym in 1970 to join the merchant marine. Under new owners,
Gold's Gym became a franchise operation with hundreds of sites. At the
time of his death, Gold's Gym International had 2.5 million members.