Arnold Schwarzenegger

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ArnoldSch Last Updated: 11/11/25
Real Name: Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger
Born: July 30, 1947
Height: 5' 10"

Grade: C+
Actor/Movie Star: 0%-100%
Prime Years: 1977, 1982, 1984-88, 1990-91, and 1993-94
Most Famous Documentary Film: Pumping Iron (1977)
Most Famous Film: The Terminator (1984)
Most Infamous Film: Batman & Robin (1997)
Masterpiece: The Terminator (1984), Predator (1987), and Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
Outstanding: Conan the Barbarian (1982) and Kindergarten Cop (1990)
Honorable: Commando (1985), Total Recall (1990), Last Action Hero (1993), and True Lies (1994)

Opinion: Arnold Schwarzenegger is probably the most famous actor in the world. It has everything to do with his bodybuilding career, having become internationally recognized through Pumping Iron. Making the transition to Hollywood at first, he was as bland as anyone could be, but there's one unmistakable trait he had: personality. It's what enabled the 7-time Mr. Olympia to be a successful actor, having blown up to a huge megastar in The Terminator with the most recognizable line ever: "I'll be back."

Critics generally dismissed Arnold Schwarzenegger, but he made entertaining movies in the action-adventure genre. He's also a funny guy with the most unbelievable physique. As for his rivalry with Sylvester Stallone, I have to pick Stallone pretty much every time except for The Terminator and Predator. Make no mistake: there will never be anybody like Arnold Schwarzenegger again.

Confirmed: Born in Thal, Austria, to a strict ex-Nazi father and . Discovered weight training at age 15 and decided to become a bodybuilder, having been inspired a picture of Kurt Marnul who would later train him. At 18, served in the Austrian army for a year. Was a big fan of Johnny Weissmuller's Tarzan films. Ate enormously and trained at least four hours a day daily. Became the youngest person to win Mr. Universe at age 20.

In 1968, moved to California and became a mainstay at Venice Beach where Gold's Gym was located at. Made his screen debut in Hercules in New York two years later while being credited as "Arnold Strong." Had trouble speaking English for a long time but was fluent in the Austrian dialect of German. Won Mr. Olympia seven times and lost to only three bodybuilders in his life: Sergio Oliva, Chester Yorton, and Frank Zane. Would be nicknamed the "Austrian Oak."

Prior to filming Stay Hungry, Bob Rafelson followed Jack Nicholson's recommendation of a specific acting coach to work with Arnold Schwarzenegger, and it made a big difference. Achieved a breakthrough in Pumping Iron which influenced the opening of countless gyms and wannabe bodybuilders. Trained hard in riding horses, swordplay, and resculpting his body for two Conan films that made him very popular.

At first, wanted to be the hero named Kyle Reese in The Terminator but was adamantly refused by then-unknown James Cameron, instisting he play the machine. Eventually, achieved superstar status with the most famous line of his career: "I'll be back." Learned how to work with guns without looking, to fire them without blinking, and to speak without any feeling. No studio was interested in financing the film for the longest time until Orion Pictures stepped in. Had a rivalry with Sylvester Stallone. Likes to smoke cigars.

Rumors: None.