Historical Figure
Arnold Schwarzenegger
b. 1947
Austrian and American bodybuilder, actor and politician (born 1947)
Talk to Arnold Schwarzenegger
Have a conversation with this historical figure through AI
Biography
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian and American actor, businessman, politician, and former professional bodybuilder, known for his roles in high-profile action films. He served as the 38th governor of California from 2003 to 2011.
In Their Own Words (5)
I play the Terminator, but you guys are the true terminators.
To American soldiers stationed in Iraq (2003), as quoted in Fox News (2003). , 2003
Anybody here think they could move to Austria, learn the language, become famous for working out, then be a movie star, then marry into their royalty, and hold public office? How many lifetimes would you need… I’m on my third attempt at Rosetta Stone Spanish. All right? How can I judge these guys? I can barely handle the temptations of Facebook.
Bill Burr, You People Are All the Same (2012) , 2012
I found a new me. When I first came over to America, it was like, 'How can I be rich? How can I build my movie career? How can I become the most muscular man?' It was all about me, and then there was this turn, and I found it was really great to do this.
From Cowboys & Indians, the "magazine of the west" (September 2004). , 2004
Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength. When you make an impasse passable, that is strength. But you must have ego, the kind of ego which makes you think of yourself in terms of superlatives. You must want to be the greatest. We are all starved for compliments. So we do things that get positive feedback.
From a 1982 interview with Boston Globe journalist Marian Christy. Christy, Marian. "Winning according to Schwarzenegger." Boston Globe: Boston, MA. 9 May 1982: p 51. Accessed 25 Jun 2016. , 1982
Why not? With my way of thinking, you always shoot for the top.
On 60 Minutes, when asked whether he favors amending the U.S. Constitution to allow naturalized citizens (such as himself) to run for president. (31 October 2004). , 2004
Timeline
The story of Arnold Schwarzenegger, told in moments.
Wins Mr. Universe at 20. The youngest ever. He barely speaks English. He moves to America with almost nothing, sleeps in the gym, and starts taking business classes at Santa Monica College.
Conan the Barbarian opens. He has maybe a dozen lines. Doesn't matter. Two years later, The Terminator. "I'll be back" is three words and a career.
Total Recall, Kindergarten Cop, the peak years. His films have grossed over $5.4 billion worldwide. He's married Maria Shriver, a Kennedy. An Austrian bodybuilder is now American royalty.
Elected Governor of California in a recall election. Gets 48.6% of the vote in a field of 135 candidates. A recall, not a normal election. He defeats the lieutenant governor by 17 points. Sworn in November 17.
Term-limited out of the governorship. Returns to acting. Bodybuilder, movie star, governor. Three separate American dreams, each one absurd, each one accomplished. The Arnold Sports Festival, the second-biggest bodybuilding event after Mr. Olympia, carries his name.
More from the Modern
Explore what happened on the days that shaped Arnold Schwarzenegger's life. Today In History connects historical figures with the events, births, and deaths that defined their era. Browse all historical figures or explore today's events.