The story of Mickey Hargitey, a bodybuilding legend played by Arnie himself in the movie

Miklos "Mickey" Hargitey can be called the first world bodybuilding legend. This guy became "Mr. Universe" back in 1955, at the very dawn of the mega-popular contest. He was so cool that Arnold Schwarzenegger played him in the movie in 1980. Iron Arnie himself considers himself a fan of Hargitey and has always admired his meteoric career.

Miklos Hargitei was born on January 6, 1926 in Budapest, Hungary. His family was very athletic, and his father always encouraged Mickey and his brothers to exercise. The boys were seriously engaged in acrobatics, and the future bodybuilding star was also fond of skating.

In 1947, Mickey decided to leave war-torn Europe and went in search of a better life overseas. He settled in Cleveland, Ohio, USA and got a job as a plumber. There he met his first love, Mary Berge. In 1948, the couple got married, and a year later Mary gave Mickey a daughter, Tina.

Shortly after the birth of his daughter, Hargitey discovered bodybuilding. He got his hands on a sports magazine with a portrait of athlete Steve Reeves on the cover, and Mickey "got sick." He wasn't new to sports, but bodybuilding was different! Despite this, it took the guy only five years to become the best of the best.

In 1955, Mickey Hargitey became the owner of the highest award — the title of Mr. Universe ("Mr. Universe"). Of course, after the brilliant victory, work with pipes and cranes was no longer discussed. The young champion was vied with each other to appear in advertising, offering huge fees. Unfortunately, Mickey's marriage did not stand the test of fame and money — scandals began in the family. Soon the athlete broke up with his first wife.

The new Mickey Hargitey needed a new, famous and bright spouse. She was found very quickly — in 1958 she became a film actress Jane Mansfield (Jayne Mansfield). His wife introduced Hargitey to the world of the film industry and soon he also began acting. His first picture was Frank Tashlin's comedy "Will the success of Rock Hunter spoil?", released in 1958.

After that, Mickey appeared with his wife in the movie "Hydra Poison" (1960), where he played the ancient hero Hercules, and in several other less notable paintings. But the main success of Hargitey's film career is considered to be the film directed by Luigi Capuano "Revenge of the Gladiators" (1964).

Hargitey and Mansfield made excellent money and could afford a luxurious life. They lived in Beverly Hills in the famous "Pink Palace", changed cars like gloves and traveled a lot. But this marriage was not a happy one. In 1964, on vacation in In Mexico, the couple had a big fight and filed for divorce. Due to financial issues, they were able to disperse only a year later, having pretty much rubbed each other's nerves.

In marriage, Mansfield gave birth to Mickey three children, who remained with her during the divorce. But in 1967, Jane dies in a car accident and Hargitey has to take care of the children himself. Additionally, he got a bonus round sum from the state of his ex-wife, as alimony.

In the same 1967, Mickey marries for the third time, to Ellen Siano (Ellen Siano). She not only became his faithful wife for many years, but also replaced his children's mother. Hargitey could safely pursue a career that continued to develop rapidly. He has appeared in more than 20 films and TV series. In the film "Mr. Universe" (1988), he even played himself. Hargetey's eldest daughter, Marishka, made her debut in the same film.

In 1980, director Dick Lowry presented the biographical film "The Story of Jane Mansfield" (The Jayne Mansfield Story). It was dedicated to the life of a sex symbol of the 60s, but there was a place in it for the last husband of the actress. Another migrant and "Mr. Universe", Arnold Schwarzenegger, was invited to play young Mickey.

During his life, the bodybuilder and actor has repeatedly become the winner of competitions and the winner of awards. Among them are the Joe Vader Lifetime Achievement Award (1999) and the Muscle Beach Hall of Fame Award (2006) for popularizing bodybuilding.

Mickey Hargitey died at the age of 80 on September 14, 2006. Unlike many other stars of the first magnitude, he never complained about fate and did not regret missed opportunities. He just worked hard both on the film set and in the gym. They say that Hargetey left this world, absolutely satisfied with the results of his life, with a smile on his face.