Stay Hungry

film by Rafelson [1976]

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July 22, 2026

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Stay Hungry (1976) is a film directed by Bob Rafelson that delves into the world of bodybuilding. The story follows the scion of a wealthy Alabama family whose real estate dealings lead him into the demimonde of a health club. The film is notable for featuring the first significant film performances of Sally Field and Arnold Schwarzenegger, who would later become an international star. The movie explores themes related to physical culture and the pursuit of physical perfection, touching upon the burgeoning bodybuilding scene of the era.12

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Bob Rafelson
Films of the mid-1970s to mid-1980s
Rafelson’s next directorial effort, Stay Hungry (1976), an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Charles Gaines, focused on the scion of a wealthy family in Alabama (Jeff Bridges) whose real-estate dealings involve him in the demimonde of bodybuilding at a health club. A perceptive and often…
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Rafelson’s next directorial effort, Stay Hungry (1976), an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Charles Gaines, focused on the scion of a wealthy family in Alabama (Jeff Bridges) whose real-estate dealings involve him in the demimonde of bodybuilding at a health club. A perceptive and often…
Read More