Charles Latham Gaines (Author)
Charles Gaines is the author of 23 books, including the novel Stay Hungry (National Book Award finalist), the international bestseller Pumping Iron, and the memoir A Family Place. He also co-wrote and narrated Pumping Iron, a film widely credited with bringing bodybuilding—and Arnold Schwarzenegger—to mainstream attention.
His screenwriting work includes produced feature films, award-winning documentaries, a PBS adaptation of Edith Wharton’s Summer, and segments for ABC’s American Sportsman, where he also worked as a director and producer. For television writing, he received two Emmy Awards and two Cine Golden Eagle Awards.
Over five decades, Gaines has contributed to major magazines such as Harper’s, Sports Illustrated, Esquire, Playboy, and Architectural Digest. He is also an accomplished outdoorsman—particularly known for fly-fishing—and co-invented the sport of paintball.
