Mandy Blank, one of the most prominent celebrity fitness trainers in Hollywood, has died at the age of 42. Bodybuilding journalist Lonnie Teper, who was the first to confirm Blank’s death, wrote on his Facebook page that Blank had been found dead in her home in Los Angeles in the bathtub with water overflowing. Blank’s cause of death is unknown at this point. Blank passed away on October 29.
TMZ’s report on Blank’s death says that it was the trainer’s housekeeper who raised the alarm. The site says that no drugs or alcohol were found in the vicinity of the bathtub. A toxicology report is pending in Blank’s death. The Los Angeles County Coroner told the New York Daily News that foul play is not being suspected in the case.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Blank’s Final Instagram Post Came 5 Days Before Her Death
This was Blank’s final Instagram post that was sent five days before her death. Bodybuilder Chris Cormier posted an Instagram tribute to Blank that read, “Goodbye Mandy you left us too soon ! @therealmandyblank I think back to the times so we hung out in different countries on the fitness tours guest posing ??and the laughs and great ?? food like in Japan ?? don’t know whatto say just shocking !!!Rest now Mandy ,you’ve touched so many lives while here on earth now time to rest!! #rip much love ❤️ lil sista #blanksta.”
GettyMandy Blank pictured in 2007.
Another celebrity trainer, Annette Milbers, told the Daily News, “I’m absolutely shocked, for sure. We messaged last week. She always made other people feel great, and she had reached out to me because I competed. She said how proud I was. She was such a passionate, kind person. Her purpose was always to express love through body movement. She was a very unpretentious person, which can be rare in our industry. She was all about connecting with people on whatever level they were on.”
2. Blank Counted A-Rod & Mickey Rourke Among Her Celebrity Clients
On her Instagram bio, Blank wrote, “I AM AN ARTIST. ELITE BODY SCULPTOR.” Blank had posted a list of her celebrity clients on her official website, MandyBlankFitness.com. They included Aaron Rodriguez, Matt LeBlanc, Mickey Rourke, Dave Navarro and Pauly Shore. In her biography on the website, Blank says that she debuted in the World Fitness Olympia at the age of 18 and finished in fifth. Blank added that she was “the youngest competitor ever to win the coveted IFBB World Championships, beating Kelly Ryan, in what many believe to have been one of the greatest fitness competitions in the history of the sport.” In May 1998, Blank was the winner of the 4th annual Debbie Kruck Fitness Classic.
3. At 17, Blank Was the Top Baton Twirler in the United States
Blank says on her bio that she was a competitive gymnast and baton twirler in her youth. In 1992, when Blank was 17, she was the Majorette Queen of America, the pinnacle of baton twirling in the U.S. Also on her official website, Blank listed the magazine covers she had graced during her career. They included Muscle & Fitness, Muscle Magazine International, American Curves and Oxygen.
Blank said in a 2010 interview that she was a native of Los Angeles. During the interview, Blank described her healthy eating regime, while also describing Italian food, pasta and cheese specifically, as being her one-time a week vice. Blank was a dance major at the Florida School of the Arts.
4. Blank Appeared as Charlie Sheen’s Date in a 2001 Episode of Spin City
In 2001, Blank appeared as Charlie Sheen’s date in an episode of Spin City. According to Blank’s IMDb page, that role was her only acting performance. Blank was represented by Star Academy Talent in Beverly Hills. In her section on the agency’s website, Blank refers to herself as, “The woman of 10,000 looks. I never look the same. Not one time… I like to keep you guessing.” The section includes an endorsement from Hugh Hefner’s one-time girlfriends, Kristina and Karissa Shannon. The sisters said, “We love Mandy! Having her come and sculpt us 4x a week has been a blast.” Sex and the City producer Richard Brenner says on the page, “I’ve had trainers before but, Mandy Blank had a way of transforming my life along with my body, health and fitness.”
5. Blank Is Being Mourned Extensively on Social Media
Mandy Blank’s death has been met with anguish among the fitness community. Here are some of the most poignant tributes that have been posted to social media:
@MandyBlank RIP fitness model legend icon and warrior 🕊😞❤️🙌🏽
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