If you’ve spent any time looking into the golden era of bodybuilding, you’ve probably seen the grainy photos of a man who looked like he was carved out of granite. Massive arms. A chest that seemed to defy the laws of physics. That man is Craig Monson. But lately, a lot of people have been hitting Google with one specific question: Is Craig Monson still alive?
The short answer is yes. As of early 2026, the legendary "Gangster Bodybuilder" is still with us. He’s 74 years old now. Honestly, for a guy who lived the kind of life he did—filled with street violence, prison stints, and the heavy physical toll of extreme lifting—it’s a bit of a miracle that he’s still around to tell his story.
But there’s a reason for the confusion. If you search his name, you’ll likely run into obituaries for a "Craig Wallace Monson" from Nebraska or a music professor with the same name. That’s not him. Our Craig Monson is the South Central Los Angeles legend who out-lifted almost everyone at Muscle Beach and became a folk hero in the iron game.
Who is the Real Craig Monson?
To understand why people are so invested in whether he’s alive, you have to understand the myth of the man. Craig wasn’t just another guy in a posing trunk. He was a co-founder of the Avenues, a gang in LA, long before the Crips and Bloods dominated the landscape.
He didn’t start lifting in a fancy health club with air conditioning and cucumber water. He started in the backyard and later in the yard at San Quentin. We’re talking about a guy who reportedly bench-pressed 315 pounds for 40 reps. That isn't a typo. He was doing the kind of numbers that modern powerlifters would respect, and he was doing it while looking like a superhero.
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The San Quentin Years and Beyond
A lot of the "is he alive" rumors actually stem from his long absences from the public eye. For years, Craig was "off the grid," which usually meant he was either incarcerated or just staying away from the limelight. He spent significant time in San Quentin, where he allegedly became so big that the prison staff struggled to find clothes that fit him.
When he eventually got out and hit the Venice Beach scene in the late 70s and early 80s, he was a shock to the system. Even Arnold Schwarzenegger and the other greats of that era took notice. He had 23-inch arms—completely natural-looking and dense. But because he didn't follow the traditional IFBB path to the Mr. Olympia stage, he became a "ghost legend."
Why People Think He’s Gone
There are a few things fueling the "death" rumors.
- Conflicting Obituaries: As I mentioned, there was a Craig Monson who passed away in 2025. He was a well-respected lawyer in Nebraska. When that news hit the feeds, the bodybuilding community panicked, thinking it was the "Big Craig."
- Health Struggles: Let’s be real. Pushing your body to those limits takes a toll. Craig has been open about his past struggles with addiction and the physical wear and tear on his joints.
- Low Digital Footprint: Unlike modern influencers who post their breakfast on Instagram every morning, Craig isn't exactly a "tech guy." He pops up on podcasts or in documentaries every few years, but he doesn't live online.
Is Craig Monson Still Alive and Training?
You'd think at 74 he'd be sitting in a rocking chair, but the most recent updates from late 2025 and early 2026 suggest he’s still hitting the weights. Obviously, he isn't benching 500 pounds anymore. He’s focused more on longevity and movement.
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He recently appeared in a documentary and a series of podcast interviews (like with John Hansen) where he looked surprisingly healthy. He’s got that "old man strength" look. He speaks about his life with a lot of remorse and clarity, which is honestly refreshing. He’s not glorifying the gang life; he’s talking about how bodybuilding and faith basically saved his soul.
The Impact of the "OG Bodybuilding Legend" Book
The 2021 book by Josh Bryant, Craig Monson: OG Bodybuilding Legend, really revived interest in him. Before that book, a lot of people thought he was just a myth or had died in the 90s. The book documented his training and his life, confirming that he was alive and living a much quieter, more reflective life than his youth would have suggested.
What You Can Learn from Craig Today
If you're looking for Craig Monson today, he’s mostly active in his community, often sharing his story to help keep kids away from the life he once led. He’s become a mentor figure.
His story is basically a masterclass in "it’s never too late." He went from the depths of the California penal system to being a world-renowned physique icon, then fell into the shadows, and has now re-emerged as a wise elder of the sport.
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So, the verdict? Craig Monson is alive. He’s living in California, still training, and still very much the powerhouse that the streets of LA remember.
If you want to support the man or see what he's up to, his official website still sells merchandise, and his interviews on YouTube are the best place to hear the "real" version of his life story without the internet rumors getting in the way.
Next Steps for You:
If you want to dive deeper into his actual training methods, I'd suggest checking out the documentary The Powerhouse of San Quentin. It goes into the specific high-volume routines he used to build those legendary arms. Also, if you see an obituary for a Craig Monson, double-check the location. If it says Nebraska or Illinois, it's not the legend from Venice Beach.