Chuck Kirkendall, a 50-year-old bodybuilder and popular internet personality known to fans as Kali Muscle, has been hospitalized in California, his wife told TMZ.
Kirkendall reportedly passed out during a gym session and was rushed in for treatment. His wife, Croatian YouTuber Helena Vladisavljević Kirkendall, told TMZ he previously suffered a heart attack. Since then, he’s had a stent inserted to improve blood flow.
The reason for Kirkendall’s health scare remains unclear.
Kirkendall has appeared in a number of commercials, including ads for Taco Bell and Geico, as well as music videos for artists like country singer Jamey Johnson and rapper Kendrick Lamar.
He also boasts a YouTube channel with 3.9 million subscribers.
Nervous fans have since flooded social media to offer their support.
Chuck Kirkendall, a 50-year-old bodybuilder and popular internet personality known to fans as Kali Muscle, has been hospitalized in California, his wife told TMZ
Kirkendall appeared in a number of commercials, including ads for Taco Bell and Geico, as well as music videos for artists like country singer Jamey Johnson and rapper Kendrick Lamar
His wife, Croatian YouTuber Helena Vladisavljević Kirkendall (pictured), told TMZ he previously suffered a heart attack. Since then, he’s had a stent inserted to improve blood flow
‘Hope he’s getting proper medical guidance,’ wrote one, adding, ‘intense routines can sometimes overlook the body’s signals.’
‘We can’t afford to lose another childhood bodybuilding icon,’ another added.
The bodybuilding world has suffered a number of tragedies recently, including the recent death of ‘Brazilian Popeye,’ Arlindo de Souza, who died at 55 after years of injecting his body with mineral oil and alcohol.
Jodi Vance, a 20-year-old who had competed at the Arnold [Schwarzenegger] Sports Festival, died in April after reportedly battling severe dehydration.
A month later, Vittorio ‘Vito’ Pirbazari died, followed by Colombian bodybuilder Zunilda Hoyos Mendez in June and Spain’s Lorena Blanco in July.
Kali Muscle poses for portrait at ‘The Martini Shot’ screening on June 18, 2015
In August, 37-year-old Hayley McNeff passed away. Postmortem results showed McNeff had a number of drugs in her system, including heroin, fentanyl and cocaine, as well as other banned substances associated with the narcotics.
Ricardo ‘Kadu’ Nolasco dos Santos, who won 11 Brazilian championships, passed away in October just weeks after proposing to his girlfriend. The 31-year-old reportedly fell victim to a stroke following the death of his beloved cat.
Then, in December, Chinese body builder Wang Kun died from what ‘seems to be due to a heart problem,’ the Anhui Provincial Bodybuilding Association has since confirmed.
