Known for his excellent posing routines, he continued competitive bodybuilding into his 60s, winning the 60+ division of the Masters Olympia twice.

[3] After graduating from the Saint Louis School in 1952, he served four years in the United States Coast Guard.

[3][4] After his service, he worked first as an aviation radio mechanic in Oakland, California and then "a full-time bar owner and bouncer" in San Jose.

"[2] Corney was also featured on the cover of the film's book companion, Pumping Iron: The Art and Sport of Bodybuilding by Charles Gaines and George Butler.

[11] Corney suffered a brain aneurysm on December 25, 2018,[12][13] and died on January 1, 2019, at the age of 85 at his home in Manteca, California.

[4] Shortly after his death, former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger tweeted, "Ed Corney was a jewel of a guy.