You knew it. Conan that Barbarian juiced up. Yep, he used 'roids to beat those ape-men.
From the Columbian (WA) comes the story of an author and actor who admits he juiced to raise his Barbarian quotient for the movie. Now he penned a new book on how to Barbarian-up without nandrolone:
From living on hippie communes in Clark County as a young boy in the 1960s to almost dying after being stabbed, Robert McRay has had a life filled with ups and downs.
At one of his peaks, McRay starred in the “Conan” TV series and produced commercials for Walt Disney Co. films.
But a few years before that, the 46-year-old said he was homeless and nearly died from the stabbing while he lived on the streets of Hollywood, Calif.
McRay’s life may sound like a best-selling novel, but he had something else in mind when he wrote his first book, “Killing the Caveman.”
Combining his own experiences with the techniques he learned in the entertainment business, McRay offers tips on how people can use a natural workout and diet program to reach what he calls a person’s full genetic potential.
He first became interested in bulking up after nabbing a role on “Conan,” which required a muscular physique.
“I experimented with everything out there and, yes, I did take steroids,” he said. “But none of the gimmicks work. What I offer in the book is what worked for me in the year it took to reach my goal.”
The book sells for $19.95 through Creative Endeavor Publishing and is available at
killingthecaveman.com.
Taken completely out of context.
While filming the series, I had severe shoulder problems, which required injections of "cortison".
Cortison is a steroid, but NOT used for muscle growth. It is an anti-inflamatory steroid. During the interview in question, I intended the comment to be "tongue in cheek" humor, because people often get them mixed-up.
Not the fault of the original reporter. I just need to explain my sense of humor better.
Just clearing the air setting the record straight.
Please make corrections.
Robert McRay
Posted by: Robert McRay | 07/20/2008 at 14:37
Hi Robert,
you did an awesome job as "Zzeben" in the series. That was always my favorite character. I was especially impressed by the physique you had built up for that role. But did you really build those muscles without steroids? I'd say that you're actually a hard gainer, is that correct?
So it must have been quite a struggle building those muscles.
Posted by: Jeff | 09/20/2008 at 14:01