Legendary bodybuilder Lenny Persin has died of heart failure at the age of 60.

Bodybuilding icon Lenny Persin, better known as “Big Lenny,” has died aged 60 after reportedly suffering from heart failure.

Fellow bodybuilder Dave Palumbo announced the tragic news in a YouTube video last weekend.

Palumbo said: “The great Lenny Persin is no longer with us.” He died in the last few days, we don't know exactly what day.

“He had been suffering from heart failure for some time.

“Big Lenny was an icon in the sport.” He carved out a unique niche for himself, leading a group of bodybuilders who called themselves the Del Rey Misfits.

Bodybuilding icon Lenny Persin, better known as “Big Lenny,” has died at the age of 60

Persin was reportedly suffering from heart failure before his tragic death

“He was their fearless leader.”

Persin – who last competed in the NPC Ruby Championship in 2017 and took second place – became famous in the bodybuilding scene for his eccentric looks and larger-than-life personality.

He also suffered from a condition called palumboism, a contraction disorder of the abdominal muscles typically caused by taking HGH and insulin, meaning he did not have a conventional bodybuilding appearance.

While he was reportedly struggling with heart problems, Persin's official cause of death has yet to be announced.

In another recent YouTube video, bodybuilding expert Jon Bravo also confirmed Lenny's death while also paying tribute to him.

Bravo said, “I had the opportunity to meet him and he was a gentle giant, you know.”

“One of the biggest guys, the biggest guy in the room, and one thing we can all learn from Big Lenny: He lived every day to the fullest, and it didn't matter if he lived in a state of disrepair.” “In his apartment full of cockroaches, dirt and mold, he had a smile on his face every day and every day he found a way to make himself happy.”