Actor and WWE Hall of Famer Arnold Schwarzenegger has paid respects to his long-time friend Bruno Sammartino, who died earlier today aged 82. 

In a tweet, the Terminator and Predator star described Sammartino's life and strive as the American dream personified. 

Bruno Sammartino was a legend. He was the American Dream personified. From his childhood in Italy hiding from Nazis to selling out Madison Square Garden 188 times as the biggest star of professional wrestling, he was a hero in every stage of his life. pic.twitter.com/29KDwT3gcA

, Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) 18 April 2018

The former California Governor inducted Sammartino into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2013, before being inducted himself two years later. 

During a live event in South Africa, WWE honoured the passing of the former WWF Champion with a ten-bell salute.