Cedric McMillan, bodybuilding favourite of Arnold Schwarzenegger, dies aged 44

American bodybuilder Cedric McMillan has died at the age of 44 after announcing a return to training following more than a year of health complications.

Without disclosing the cause, his sponsor confirmed the death on social media.

"We regret to inform you that our friend and brother Cedric McMillan passed away today," Black Skull USA said on Instagram.

"Cedric will be greatly missed as an athlete, comrade, friend and father."

McMillan was a favourite of famed bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger, who was not shy about praising McMillan's "beautiful" physique.

“I think that Cedric had such a beautiful body; he was so well-proportioned," Schwarzenegger said of McMillan after the 2015 Arnold Classic competition, one of the most prestigious bodybuilding contests in the world created by Schwarzenegger himself.

McMillan won the 2017 Arnold Classic, almost 10 years after first taking to the stage professionally.

He also took first in a number of other global competitions in the few years prior to his health deteriorating.

McMillan and Schwarzenegger had grown close in recent years, bonding over a shared appreciation for what is known in bodybuilding circles as the classic, or aesthetic, physique, rather than the more mainstream sheer bulk.

"They don’t have to worry about being massive, they just make sure that they make their body beautiful," McMillan noted while commentating a classic competition with Schwarzenegger in 2021.

"It is like watching statues," Schwarzenegger agreed.

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McMillan had only recently begun training after a more than a year off dealing with health issues from a COVID-19 infection.

In a November 2021 interview with bodybuilding publication Generation Iron, McMillan said the virus led to pneumonia and he spent time on life support.

"Back in July, I was almost dead. Like, almost notify the next of kin," he said.

"The virus makes protein levels spike in your heart. It makes us bodybuilders and fitness people particularly sensitive.

"You would think because we exercise that we would be less sensitive, but it's something about the protein levels."

McMillan told the publication he had unsuccessfully attempted to return to training the following month.

"I spent all of August trying to gain weight back, ignoring the doctor's advice. Then I spent about four weeks trying to get ready [for competition] while I'm still sick. That lets you know how damn crazy we are," he said.

McMillan leaves behind his wife Patty and four children.