Arnold Schwarzenegger's Life and Career Through the Years

Born July 30, 1947 in an Austrian village, bodybuilder, actor, and past Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger would be influenced heavily by his strict upbringing. Raised Catholic and always trying to prove himself to his father, Arnold would take up the sport of soccer as a young boy, eventually changing to body building at the age of 15. 

Impressed by bodybuilding legends like Steve Reeves, Reg Park, and Johnny Weissmuller, Arnold Schwarzenegger would begin competing competitively by the age of 17. After completing a year of mandatory Austrian military service, Arnold became well-known in Europe as a bodybuilder and would move to London to pursue the Mr. Universe title. Arnold would become the youngest to win the title at the age of 20 and followed the win up with his first of seven Mr. Olympia titles at the age of 23. 

Having become one of the most influential figures in the history of bodybuilding, Arnold Schwarzenegger would set his eyes on his next goal- becoming a world renowned actor! Strong, both physically and mentally, it wouldn't take Arnold long to realize his dreams taking on the title role in a 1970 production of Hercules in New York. His big film breakthrough, however, would come in 1982 with Conan the Barbarian. A box-office hit, Arnold Schwarzenegger would become the hottest man in town!

Perhaps Arnold Schwarzenegger's most well-known role would come in 1984 with sci-fi thriller The Terminator. The film was a huge hit and audiences couldn't get enough of the strong, handsome, and talented actor. Luckily for fans, Arnold would be back for more, and the film would go on to have four sequels! 

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The 1980s would turn Arnold into a huge action star, making him a rival to other action legend Sylvester Stallone. Some of our favorite Arnold movies from the 1980s include 1985's Commando and 1987's The Running Man.

By the release of 1987's Predator, Arnold and Stallone's rivalry had really heated up with the two always trying to outdo the other in the number of onscreen weapons and killings! We'd say Arnold's Predator might have won that battle with the film full of violence from beginning to end! 

In addition to becoming an action superstar, Arnold Schwarzenegger would also try is hand at comedy! Starring alongside comedic legend Danny DeVito in 1988's Twins, Arnold succeeded in this challenge too! Tall, handsome, strong, and funny? Arnold was proving he was the total package! 

During the filming for this next film, the indestructible Arnold Schwarzenegger would prove he's just as human as the rest of us, but maybe just able to recover faster! Injuring his wrist while filming 1990's Total Recall wouldn't stop Arnold from turning out one of the most successful performances of his career, however, and he would gross $10 million from it! 

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This next comedy might just be our all time favorite role of Arnold's. Showing off his softer side, Arnold Schwarzenegger takes on the part of an undercover cop who must work as a kindergarten teacher to stop a dangerous drug dealer! Full of humor, the film won't leave you disappointed!

Arnold's next big role would reunite him with director James Cameron! Starring alongside Jamie Lee Curtis and Bill Paxton, 1995's spy comedy True Lies was a huge hit! That same year Schwarzenegger's film comedy Junior would also be released, leading to his second Golden Globe nomination! Even as he was aging, Arnold Schwarzenegger was proving himself unstoppable!