Charles Gaines: key obituary facts
Is Charles Gaines dead? Yes. Charles Gaines died on July 21, 2026, at age 84.
Cause of death: Charles Gaines's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Charles Gaines known for?
He was an American writer and outdoorsman.
More about Charles Gaines
Born: 6 January 1942.
Place of birth: Jacksonville.
Gender: male.
Occupation: novelist, journalist, screenwriter, outdoor enthusiast, writer, actor, musician, bodybuilder.
Nationality: United States.
Education: University of Iowa, Birmingham–Southern College, Washington and Lee University.
Children: Shelby Gaines, Latham Gaines, Greta Gaines.
Also known as: Charles Latham Gaines, Chas Gaines.
Charles Gaines, the American writer and outdoorsman known for “Pumping Iron,” died on July 21, 2026.
Born Charles Latham Gaines Jr. in Jacksonville, Florida, on January 6, 1942, he wrote widely in fiction and nonfiction, with a particular focus on fishing, fly fishing, upland bird hunting and mountaineering.
His work often blended outdoor subjects with an intellectual and philosophical approach, and he also covered the culture surrounding fishing traditions around the world. Gaines was the co-author, with George Butler, of “Pumping Iron: The Art and Sport of Bodybuilding,” a 1974 book that became a defining account of the sport. He was active in conservation and served on the board of directors of the Atlantic Salmon Federation.