Roger Callard, former Mr. America and Mr. International, entering Greater Lansing Sports Hall
Roger Callard has received a lot of honors in his bodybuilding career. But his latest — getting inducted into the Greater Lansing Sports Hall of Fame — ranks up up there with any of them.
Callard, 72, a professional bodybuilder-turned-actor out of Chesaning who went on to graduate from Michigan State, will enter the Hall in a ceremony at the Lansing Center on Thursday.
"There's no doubt that it's a very prestigious honor, and I've been fortunate enough to receive a lot of accolades and awards, but to be recognized in your own community is the most meaningful and impactful," Callard said. "I know a lot of the previous inductees, and to be included with these legendary names and such a legendary group is incredible."
Originally, Callard was in the gym to improve his body for athletic competition, being a football player in high school. After enrolling in MSU, a few of his friends helped Callard realize that he had the perfect frame for bodybuilding and his interest shifted to that alone.
Callard took a few years to sculpt his body to his peak physique and finally entered into his first International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness competition – where he was named the 1974 Mr. Western America.
Callard strung together three straight first-place finishes as Mr. Western America and was crowned Mr. USA in 1975. After finishing second in Mr. America in both 1975 and 1976, Callard finally took home that title in 1977.
The pinnacle of Callard's bodybuilding competition came in 1978, where he was named IFBB's Mr. International. He placed 13th in the IBFF World Pro in 1984 – his final international competition.
"When you reach a pinnacle of a sport, a part of you expects to win because you are at such a high level," Callard said. "I wasn't competing against other people, I was competing against myself. When I got to that point, I just looked for whatever mountain to climb next. It was exhilarating, but also a sense of calmness when I finally got it.
During his training, Callard sparked a friendship with another member of the famous Gold's Gym in Venice Beach – none other than actor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Schwarzenegger helped Callard both train and in his post-bodybuilding career as an actor, with the two starring in two bodybuilding movies – "Pumping Iron," and "Mr. Universum."
"Arnold and I hit it off right away and we just meshed," Callard said. "I said to him, 'I hear you're looking for calves, legs and shoulders,' and he said, 'I hear you're looking for chest, back and arms.' So we started training together and once we got to know each other the acting came along with it."
Callard had roles in numerous television series such as "Charlie's Angel's" and "Walker Texas Ranger" and performed stunts in a number of Schwarzenegger's films, including "Total Recall." Callard also has numerous producer credits.
Callard also had a role in the military, where he worked under former Vice President Dick Cheney for Pacific Air Control and had two tours of duty and was decorated twice.
"I'm very proud of that, as I am this award, because my work and influence changed the face of the military," Callard said. "My training philosophies were being used in the military and that meant a lot to me."
Contact Nathaniel Bott at nbott@lsj.com and follow him on Twitter @Nathaniel_Bott
Greater Lansing Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony
When: 4:30 p.m., Thursday
Where: Lansing Center
Cost: $35. To order, go to lansingsportshalloffame.org.
2022 inductees: Jim Brandt, Roger Callard, Roland Carter, Josephine Mask, Dan Olsen, Rocky Shaft, Rachel Turney, 2000 Everett girls basketball team, 2001 Everett girls basketball team, 2000 Lansing Community College softball team
Sponsors: Dean Transportation, Shaheen Chevy/Cadillac, Applegate Home Comfort, Gregory Eaton Associates, ASAP Printing, Dan Henry Distributing, One North Kitchen & Bar, AF Group, Bill and Andrew Archer Financial Advisors, Magic Johnson Enterprises, Mary Ellen Sheets
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Roger Callard, former Mr. America and Mr. International, entering Greater Lansing Sports Hall
