Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-born actor, former professional bodybuilder and politician who served as California’s 38th governor.
Contents18 sections
Key facts
1947–1968Early Life and Migration
Schwarzenegger was born in Thal, Austria, on July 30, 1947.[1]
He won Mr. Universe at 20 and moved to the United States in 1968, subsequently moving from bodybuilding into acting.[2]
1970sBodybuilding and Study
He won six consecutive Mr. Olympia titles from 1970 through 1975.[3]
In the early 1970s, he studied English at Santa Monica College and also took mathematics and business courses.[4]
1977Film and a Golden Globe
In 1977, he won the Golden Globe for New Star of the Year–Actor for Stay Hungry (1976).[5]
The 1977 documentary Pumping Iron featured him during bodybuilding training and competition.[3]
1979–1980Graduation and a Return to Competition
He graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1979.[4]
He returned to Mr. Olympia in 1980, won his seventh title and then retired from competitive bodybuilding.[3]
1982–1994Action Films and Comedy
Conan the Barbarian (1982) was a major early film role.[2]
He became a U.S. citizen in 1983.[6]
In 1984, he appeared in James Cameron’s The Terminator.[2]
Subsequent films included Predator (1987), Twins (1988), Total Recall (1990), Terminator 2 (1991) and True Lies (1994), spanning action, science fiction and comedy.[7]
1990–2002Fitness Advocacy and After-School Programs
From 1990 to 1993, he chaired the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, following earlier involvement with Special Olympics.[1]
He launched After-School All-Stars in 1992 and led the successful 2002 campaign for California’s Proposition 49, supporting public-school after-school programs.[8]
2003Campaign Controversy and Election
During the campaign, the Los Angeles Times reported six women’s allegations of unwanted touching. Contemporary Guardian reporting said he disputed some claims while acknowledging misconduct and apologizing.[9]
After California recalled Governor Gray Davis, Schwarzenegger was elected his successor. The Republican took office on November 17, 2003, and served until January 3, 2011.[6]
2005–2010Reform, Climate Policy and Fiscal Problems
Voters rejected all four of his special-election proposals in 2005. He subsequently reshaped his team, pursued more bipartisan cooperation and won re-election in 2006.[10]
In September 2006, he signed AB 32, requiring California to return greenhouse-gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. The Air Resources Board approved its implementation plan in 2008.[11]
A 2010 Associated Press retrospective credited his environmental and electoral reforms but reported unresolved fiscal problems compounded by recession-driven revenue losses.[10]
2011Public Family Statement
In 2011, he publicly acknowledged fathering a child with a household employee years earlier and apologized to his wife, Maria Shriver, and their family. The couple had announced their separation that month.[12]
2012Establishing a Public Policy Institute
In 2012, he partnered with the University of Southern California to establish the USC Schwarzenegger Institute and continue his public-policy work.[13]
The institute advocates cooperation across party lines and works on education, energy and the environment, fiscal and economic policy, health, and political reform.[14]
2013–2017Returning to Film
After leaving office, he continued acting in films including The Last Stand (2013), Terminator Genisys (2015) and Killing Gunther (2017).[7]
2018Climate Advocacy
In January 2018, he visited Austria as chairman of R20, the climate-action organization he co-founded, to prepare for a Vienna summit.[15]
2021Divorce
California State Library records list his marriage to Maria Shriver as lasting from 1986 until their 2021 divorce.[1]
2023Television and Renewed Response to Allegations
In 2023, his spy comedy FUBAR premiered on Netflix. He plays Luke Brunner and also serves as an executive producer.[16]
That year, he revisited the groping allegations in the documentary Arnold, describing his initial response as defensive and acknowledging that the behavior was wrong.[17]
2023–2025Writing and Television Follow-Up
In October 2023, he published Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life, drawing on personal experiences to discuss purpose and practical action.[18]
FUBAR’s second season arrived in 2025, with Carrie-Anne Moss joining the cast as a spy with a shared history with his character.[16]
Fitness Newsletter and Public Platforms
Through Arnold’s Pump Club, he publishes a daily newsletter and podcast covering fitness, nutrition and everyday habits.[19]
Related Organizations, Websites, and Public Accounts
Schwarzenegger’s Personal Website: Official website: https://www.schwarzenegger.com/ (opens in a new window)[2]
USC Schwarzenegger Institute: Official website: https://schwarzenegger.usc.edu/ (opens in a new window)[14]
Arnold’s Pump Club: Official website: https://arnoldspumpclub.com/ (opens in a new window)[19]
Public X Account: Official account: https://x.com/Schwarzenegger (opens in a new window)[20]
Sources
- Governors of California - Arnold Schwarzenegger (opens in a new window)
- Arnold Schwarzenegger: Biography (opens in a new window)
- Arnold Schwarzenegger – Mr. Olympia 1970-1975, 1980 (opens in a new window)
- Arnold Schwarzenegger - California Community Colleges | Find Your Path (opens in a new window)
- Arnold Schwarzenegger - Golden Globes (opens in a new window)
- Arnold Schwarzenegger - National Governors Association (opens in a new window)
- Arnold Schwarzenegger: Film (opens in a new window)
- Institute Continues Support for After-School Programs - USC Schwarzenegger Institute | USC Schwarzenegger Institute (opens in a new window)
- Schwarzenegger admits behaving badly after groping claims | World news | The Guardian (opens in a new window)
- Schwarzenegger leaves mixed legacy in California (opens in a new window)
- ARB says yes to climate action plan (opens in a new window)
- Arnold Schwarzenegger admits fathering employee's child - BBC News (opens in a new window)
- National After-School Summit - USC Schwarzenegger Institute | USC Schwarzenegger Institute (opens in a new window)
- Mission - USC Schwarzenegger Institute | USC Schwarzenegger Institute (opens in a new window)
- 美国加州前州长施瓦辛格访问奥地利 (opens in a new window)
- 'FUBAR' Season 2 Release Date, Trailer, Casting News, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carrie-Anne Moss - Netflix Tudum (opens in a new window)
- ‘Forget all the excuses’: Arnold Schwarzenegger expresses regret over groping claims | Arnold Schwarzenegger | The Guardian (opens in a new window)
- Be Useful by Arnold Schwarzenegger: 9780593655955 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books (opens in a new window)
- Arnold's Pump Club (opens in a new window)
- Arnold Schwarzenegger (@Schwarzenegger) (opens in a new window)