Prolific Vegan Bodybuilder Jim Morris Dies at Age 80

Jim Morris, former Mr. Universe and famed bodybuilder, died in his Venice, CA home Thursday at the age of 80. The 30-year vegetarian and 15-year vegan had a career that began in 1954 and saw him earn numerous titles, including several Hall of Fame entries, Mr. International, Mr. USA, and Mr. America—the latter of which he won by the widest margin in history. Morris made headlines in 2014 by posing nude for PETA to promote the longevity-imbuing aspects of vegan eating, showing off his sculpted septuagenarian physique at the age of 77. A documentary chronicling Morris’ incredible career entitled Jim Morris: Lifelong Fitness garnered numerous film festival selections and was featured by Forks Over Knives. “I am deeply saddened to share with you all the passing of Jim Morris,” director Ryan Vance wrote in a Facebook post on the film’s page. “He will be sorely missed. Jim greatly appreciated all of your kind words about him over the past few years through this page, videos, and his website. I will soon be posting more about what Jim meant to me, feel free to do the same if you wish.”