Jim Morris (bodybuilder)

Jim Morris
BornAugust 31, 1935
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
DiedJanuary 28, 2016(2016-01-28) (aged 80)
Venice, Los Angeles, U.S.
OccupationBodybuilder

Jim Morris (August 31, 1935 – January 28, 2016) was an American bodybuilder known for winning competitions over a thirty-year career. Among the titles Morris won are: Mr. USA (1972), AAU Mr. America (1973), Mr. International (1974), and Mr. Olympia Masters Over 60 (1996).[1] At age 50, he became a vegetarian and over 15 years transitioned to vegan, a diet to which he credited much of his excellent health.[2] He posed nude for a PETA ad in support of the vegan lifestyle.[3]

Morris, who still trained regularly as of 2011,[4] had been bodybuilding since September 1954. From 1974 to 1988, he was Elton John's personal bodyguard.[5] He was openly gay.[6][7] In 1971, he became the first openly gay IFBB professional bodybuilder.[8] In 1973 he became the first openly gay bodybuilder to win AAU Mr. America overall, most muscular, best arms, and best chest titles.[9]

In March 2014, a short documentary-film starring Jim Morris titled Jim Morris: Lifelong Fitness was released on YouTube.[10] The film focuses on his lifelong body building career, vegan lifestyle and Morris' yearning to break stereotypes attached to the elderly.

Morris died on January 28, 2016, at the age of 80.[11]

  1. ^ Richard Thornley Jr - Thorsoft Corporation. "Jim Morris Personal Training - Competitive Career". Archived from the original on October 19, 2017. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
  2. ^ Shane Roberts," Black Male Vegan: 77-Year-Old Bodybuilder Jim Morris Proves Vegans Can Be Muscular & Healthy," Frugivoremag.com, 2 October 2012.
  3. ^ "78-Year-Old Vegan Male Bodybuilder, Jim Morris, Will Make You Reconsider Your Diet," Huffington Post UK, 8 January 2014.
  4. ^ "Los Angeles and Southern California News - ABC7 KABC". ABC7 Los Angeles. Archived from the original on October 2, 2009. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
  5. ^ "Los Angeles Times: Archives - New Career for a Mr. America". Archived from the original on May 25, 2011. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
  6. ^ "Mr. America has bulk -- three decades after winning the title". Los Angeles Times. September 4, 2007. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
  7. ^ John Jameson (August 28, 2008). "70 Is the New 40". Archived from the original on January 15, 2010. Retrieved March 27, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  8. ^ "PP#45: Jim Morris – The 80-Year-Old Vegan Bodybuilding Legend – Plantriotic". Plantriotic.com. Archived from the original on January 7, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  9. ^ "Vegan Bodybuilding Legend Shared Secret to Good Posture". VegetarianBodybuilding.com. July 8, 2015. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  10. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: The Story of a 78-Year-Old Vegan Bodybuilder - Jim Morris: Lifelong Fitness - Short Film. YouTube.
  11. ^ "Jim Morris: Vegan Bodybuilder Dies Aged 80". greatveganathletes.com.