ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER (Adam Gibson) first emerged as a major star in James Cameron’s “The Terminator” and has become the driving force behind the success of such all-time blockbusters as “Terminator 2: Judgement Day,” “Twins,” “Kindergarten Cop,” “Total Recall,” “True Lies” and 1996’s summer action hit “Eraser.” In 1997, Schwarzenegger starred as the villainous Mr. Freeze opposite George Clooney in Joel Schumacher’s “Batman and Robin.” In November 1999, he starred in director Peter Hyams’ supernatural thriller, “End of Days.”
Schwarzenegger’s motion picture career began in 1977 in the critically acclaimed feature-length documentary “Pumping Iron,” a behind the scenes look at the Mr. Universe competition. His next role, opposite Sally Field and Jeff Bridges in “Stay Hungry,” for director Bob Rafelson, garnered Schwarzenegger a Golden Globe Award as Best Newcomer in Films. In 1978, Arnold retired from professional bodybuilding to pursue a full-time career in acting. He starred with Kirk Douglas and Ann-Margret in the romantic action-comedy western “The Villain” and as Mickey Hargitay in the made-for-TV movie “The Jayne Mansfield Story.”
Schwarzenegger’s breakthrough film role came in 1982 in John Milius’ “Conan the Barbarian.” The film grossed over $100 million worldwide, spawned a popular sequel, “Conan the Destroyer,” and earned Schwarzenegger a devoted following.
In 1984, soon after becoming a naturalized citizen, Schwarzenegger took a chance on a low-budget independent film by an unknown director. James Cameron’s futuristic thriller “The Terminator” was a runaway hit at the box office and was cited by Time magazine as “one of the year’s ten best films.” Over the next few years, Arnold’s name became synonymous with the phrase “action hero” as he delivered crowd pleasing performances in such action-adventure films as “Commando,” “Raw Deal,” “Predator,” “The Running Man” and “Red Heat.”
In 1988, Schwarzenegger realized yet another of his goals when he won the role of Julius, Danny DeVito’s twin brother in Ivan Reitman’s hilarious comedy, “Twins.” Schwarzenegger, DeVito and Reitman again joined forces in the 1994 hit comedy, “Junior,” for which Arnold was recognized with a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Comedy. In 1996 Arnold starred in the Christmas comedy, “Jingle All the Way,” for director Brian Levant.
In 1990, Schwarzenegger delivered a “one-two punch” with the futuristic action thriller “Total Recall,” followed by Ivan Reitman’s heartwarming comedy, “Kindergarten Cop.” “Terminator 2: Judgement Day,” his greatest commercial success to date, earned more than $506 million worldwide. In 1993, Schwarzenegger was named “International Star of the Decade” by the National Association of Theater Owners and appeared in the box office hit “Last Action Hero,” which grossed $168 million worldwide.
In 1990, Arnold made his directorial debut with “Switch,” an episode of HBO’s “Tales of the Crypt.” He also directed a remake of the holiday classic “Christmas in Connecticut” for TNT.
From his early childhood in Graz, Austria, Schwarzenegger was involved in athletics. His initial participation in sports was in soccer and track and field. At 15, he discovered his true passion, weight lifting, which he practiced for three years before moving on to bodybuilding. By the age of 20, Schwarzenegger became Mr. Universe, the first of what would become an unprecedented 13 world titles.
In 1991, Schwarzenegger became the Executive Commissioner of the Hollenbeck Inner-City Games in Los Angeles. In 1995, together with Hollenbeck Youth Center Director Danny Hernandez, established the Inner City Games Foundation. The Games were created to provide opportunities for inner-city youth to participate in year-round sports, educational, cultural and community enrichment programs; to build confidence and self-esteem; to encourage youth to say “no” to gangs, drugs and violence and to say "yes” to hope, learning and life. The Games also offer Olympic-style sports competitions and clinics across the country. From its origins in Los Angeles, the Games now encompass 12 cities across the country and continues to grow.
Since 1979, Schwarzenegger has served as the International Weight Training Coach of the Special Olympics. From 1990 to 1993 he served as Chairman of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. He is currently Chairman of the California Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and is the author of numerous best selling books on fitness and health. He has twice received the Simon Weisenthal Center’s National Leadership Award for his support of the organization’s Holocaust studies and human rights issues, in 1991 and again in 1997. In 1997 Schwarzenegger was also honored by the National Association of Theater Owners with its first ever Humanitarian Award for his many contributions to the community.
Schwarzenegger lives in Los Angeles with his wife, broadcast journalist Maria Shriver, and their four children, Katherine, Christina, Patrick and Christopher.
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