Schwarzenegger, Arnold (1947–)

Arnold Schwarzenegger successfully transformed himself from an internationally acclaimed bodybuilder into an internationally recognized action-movie hero and then in 2003 into the governor of California. His ability to use the muscle man image in crafting political images garnered him respect, particularly when the transference proved successful, but also criticism, when the movie star persona acted as a shield to challenges about his life and public policies.

Born in 1947 near Graz, Austria, he immigrated to the United States shortly after becoming the youngest man to win the Mr. Universe title at age 20. After struggling, he says, to both learn English and gain entrance into Hollywood, Schwarzenegger earned a Golden Globe Award for best newcomer in the film Stay Hungry (1976). He continued in bodybuilding competition, earning 12 world titles. His film career excelled as muscle action movies became popular, starring in Conan the Barbarian (1982) and The Terminator (1984). In 1983, he became an American citizen and earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin. Three years later he married television journalist Maria Shriver, daughter of diplomat Sargent Shriver and Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister to John F. and Robert Kennedy.

Schwarzenegger, though a Republican, became active in Kennedy family civic concerns, particularly in the Special Olympics, which was founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, and serves as the program's Global Ambassador. In 1990, President George H. W. Bush appointed him chair of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.

Numerous politicians have made appearances on entertainment television, including presidential hopefuls Bill Clinton, playing sax on the Arsenio Hall Show, and Al Gore and George W. Bush, appearing on Saturday Night Live. Other celebrities, including former President Ronald Reagan and Congressman Sonny Bono, turned to political careers after entertainment careers. On August 6, 2003, Schwarzenegger took the celebrity politician model, also called politainment, to new heights when he announced on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno plans to enter the recall race to replace California Governor Gray Davis. Fans turned voters came out in droves to Schwarzenegger's political rallies. Some opposing candidates argued that the media largely ignored anyone but the man now nicknamed “the gubenator,” so they pooled resources and rented a bus to follow Schwarzenegger's entourage around the state. Notably, Maria Shriver was the only wife of a California gubernatorial candidate invited to appear on the Oprah Winfrey Show during the campaign.

Allegations surfaced that could have collapsed the political ambitions of other candidates: As many as 15 women approached the Los Angeles Times stating Schwarzenegger had groped them. Schwarzenegger dismissed some accounts but admitted that he had “behaved badly” on “rowdy movie sets.” He apologized and promised to be a “champion of women.” Other news organizations questioned the timing of the story, less than a week before the recall, and many in the voting public vilified the Los Angeles Times for reporting on what came to be called Schwarzenegger's masculine antics. Other accusations were deflected as well, including that Schwarzenegger had years earlier praised Adolf Hitler's rhetorical abilities and had used illicit drugs.

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