"Arnold Jacket' Creator Tony Nowak Passes Away

Tony Nowak, a former training partner of Arnold Schwarzenegger who appeared in the film Pumping Iron and later became known as the creator as the famous “Arnold jackets,” passed away this week while vacationing in Italy with his son. He reportedly had a heart attack.

Nowak created his famous jackets for the Arnold Classic for the past 22 years, and traveled to Columbus each year for the Arnold Sports Festival. He also created his exclusive jackets for the Olympia, as well as for movies and for celebrities around the world.  He was well known in the bodybuilding world and played himself as “Big Tony” in the landmark Pumping Iron film that was released in 1977.

Said Gov. Schwarzenegger, co-promoter of the Arnold Sports Festival, “I met Tony in 1968 when he escaped Poland.  I worked out with him at World Gym in New York, and we became friends right away.  Ever since, I’ve considered him a friend to me and my family, a training partner, a great businessman, a world-class athlete in boxing and wrestling, and one of the kindest men I know.  He was there for me in each of my careers – bodybuilding, movies, business, government – always offering his incredible talents and designing his jackets to help promote my endeavors.  We shared two loves – for service and for our adopted country.  Tony was one of the most peaceful and friendly people in the world and always offered his jackets for charity auctions, and the only time you didn’t see a smile on his face was when anyone spoke negatively about the United States.  Tony was always a force to be reckoned with and even though he’s no longer with us, I know that he’ll continue to be a force in our lives.”