Vital Stats
Full Name: Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger
Birthday: July 30, 1947
Height: 6' 2"
Eyes: Green
Occupations: Bodybuilder, Actor, Business Owner, Director, Father, Husband, Humanitarian, Coolest Guy on the Planet!
Hobbies: Skiing, smoking stogies, biking, swimming, drawing, pottery, scuba diving, travelling, horseback riding, skeet shooting, collecting art.

Schwarzenegger. The name itself seems to be the definition of manliness, coolness, and action, and thereÕs hardly a person in the entire world who doesnÕt know it. For most, all you need to do is say "Ah-nuld" in your best Austiran accent, and the next thing youÕll hear is an utterance of his signature phrase: "IÕll be back!"

I made this web site devoted to the Austrian Oak so that his fans can stock up on info about him that they might not have known before, which will hopefully cause them to truly appreciate and admire his life and achievements even more. Arnold Schwarzenegger is not only a movie action hero, but he is a true model of the American Dream, a role model for anyone who wants to achieve their dreams. He is also a fitness expert, an artist, a brilliant businessman, a loving family man, and in the future, maybe even a politician. Of course, he always knew this would happen.

Ever since he was a little boy growing up in Graz, Austria, he knew that he was destined for big things. After tiring of soccer and other team sports, he discovered the world of bodybuilding, and fell in love with it. Here was a sport where he was the only one on a team, itÕs just his own will to train that made his muscles grow, and he would have sole credit for his hard work. He would get together with other bodybuilders and learn how to lift weights, exercise, and eat for maximum muscle, and he couldnÕt get enough. When his parents told him he couldnÕt go to the gym every day, he set up his own gym in the house. He had already set his goalÑhe wanted to be the best bodybuilder in the world. Then he figured he would move to America and become a film star, like his early role model, Reg Park. There was not any question about it, he would just do whatever it took to make his dream happen. And he was only 16 at the time.
Soon he was on his way. He won his first competition, Mr. Europe Junior, when he was 18. He had gone AWOL from his post in the Austrian Army in order to do it. That got peopleÕs attention, and before he knew it, he was on his way to the Mr. Universe conetest in London. He received 2nd place that time, but never again. He knew he would have to train longer and harder to beat those guys, and the next year, he came back and did just that. After winning Mr. Universe 3 years in a row, he knew what he had to do nextÑhe had to win the Mr. Olympia title, and then he would be the best bodybuilder in the world. In 1970, he went to America, won the Mr. World title in Columbus, Ohio, and finally won the Mr. Olympia title, beating out his opponent Sergio Olivia in both competitions.
His success in bodybuilding paved the way for him to reach his next goal, becoming a movie star. His first role was in a low budget film called Hercules in New York, in which he played Hercules, just as his idol Reg Park had. He was billed as Arnold Strong and had his voice dubbed over because the producers felt his accent made his lines incomprehensible. The film was a forgettable B movie, but it made him realize that in order to achieve this goal, he would have to develop his speaking and acting skills with the same intensity that he used to develop his muscles. So he got help from voice trainers and acting teachers, and when he landed the role of a bodybuilder in Stay Hungry with Jeff Bridges and Sally Field, his work paid off and he won a Golden Globe award for Best Newcomer in 1976. This was followed by an equally compelling performance as himself in the documentary Pumping Iron, which followed his road to winning Mr. Olympia for the 6th time in a row.
Pumping Iron was well received by critics, and ArnoldÕs natural charisma gained the attention of many people in Hollywood. After getting some bit parts and roles that did not showcase his acting so well, he finally scored a hit as the title character in Conan the Barbarian. Director John Milius made it seem like Conan was modeled after Arnold himself, and created an epic tale that is still revered by Arnold fans today. It was followed by a hokier sequel that didnÕt do so well, but then came the role that gave Arnold his trademark: James CameronÕs The Terminator. This movie made Schwarzenegger and "IÕll be back" a household phrase. Who can argue with Arnold playing the ultimate cyborg killing machine? We all know that Arnold always keeps his word. He was back again and again in movies like Commando, Predator, and The Running Man that cemented his status as action hero. Then he decided to try comedy and succeeded at that with Twins in 1988, which became his highest grossing film to date. The 90Õs then saw more blockbusters like Total Recall, Kindergarten Cop, True Lies, and of course, the mother of all sequels, T2. He even tried his hand at directing with an episode of Tales From the Crypt and a TV remake of Christmas in Connecticuit.
Not only did Arnold achieve his biggest goals, but he also managed to get married and start a family in the middle of it all. He married TV journalist Maria Shriver in 1986 and they now have four children: Christina, Patrick, Katherine, and Christopher. Unlike most celebrity marriages you hear about, this one remains as strong as ArnoldÕs biceps, because he is a loving father and husband, and no matter how busy he gets with movies and business, he always makes time for them. Yet another reason to admire The Oak.
Something else not everyone knows is that Arnold went to college at the University of Wisconsin where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree with an individualized major in international marketing of fitness and business administration in 1979. Later, in 1996, they bestowed him with an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree to acknowledge his charitable work with children, including the creation of the Inner-City Games. This organization was made to help inner city children stay off the streets and feel good about themselves through staying in shape, and has grown to include many cities accross the country. Arnold was the head of President BushÕs (Sr.) Fitness Council during his term in office. He was also an owner of the Planet Hollywood restaurant chain, which became the first themed restaurant to compete with Hard Rock, and opened locations all over the world. However, when business started to falter and PH filed for Chapter 11 in 1999 to reorganize, Arnold decided that he would no longer be involved with it financially. He also started his own restaurant in Santa Monica called Schatzi on Main, which features authentic Austrian food and atmosphere. His good friend Charly Temmel manages it, and Arnold frequently stops by for lunch or for the monthly cigar night that has become a premiere attraction.
Even though Arnold does not compete in bodybuilding any more, he stays involved in a big way with the Arnold Classic. It is a bodybuilding competition and fitness expo that takes place in Columbus, Ohio (my hometown!) every year in March, and it draws crowds of thousands, due in no small part to the fact that Arnold himself is present at every event during the weekend, and even makes a point to walk through the exhibit halls to personally greet his fans and guests. It is a phenomenal event that grows in size every year.
     

My version of ArnoldÕs life is merely a short glimpse of the highlights that shows you where this incredible man came from and what he has achieved by sheer will and determination. Every time people have said his career is over, he comes back even bigger than before, or he finds something new to succeed at. And he inspires us all to do the same. Arnold will always be an idol for me, because he is a true hero in every way.

If youÕre interested in more details about ArnoldÕs life, you must read Arnold: Education of a Bodybuilder. ItÕs the OakÕs life in his own words!