Arnold Schwarzenegger recently appeared on the talk show “Literally! with Rob Lowe” hosted by Conan O’Brien, where he shared an interesting story about his early days in the film industry. During the conversation, Schwarzenegger discussed how he was told that he was too ripped to be a movie star. He reminisced about watching leading men of the 70s like Robert Redford, Paul Newman, and Cary Grant, who were lean but not particularly muscular. In contrast, Schwarzenegger was starting a new trend by being immensely muscular. As he explained, today, it is almost a requirement to be incredibly built to be cast in a Marvel movie.
Schwarzenegger went on to mention some actors who were in good shape but not necessarily muscular, like Charlton Heston and Charles Bronson. He even had the opportunity to share a bodybuilding tip with legendary actor Kirk Douglas. During the filming of “The Villain,” Douglas invited Schwarzenegger to his hotel room and showed him the dumbbells he kept hidden under his bed. Douglas was adamant about learning the proper techniques for curling the weights, and Schwarzenegger was thrilled to engage in bodybuilding talk with his idol.
The conversation then shifted to how working out used to be done secretly in Hollywood. Clint Eastwood, for example, told Schwarzenegger that he owned a set of Universal machines that he kept hidden away in his house. Eastwood explained that it was better for people to believe that he was naturally fit, rather than knowing he worked out regularly. However, times have changed, and people now want to know every detail about how their favorite stars stay in shape. Fans are fascinated by celebrities’ workout routines, gym visits, meal plans, and everything related to their physical fitness.
This change in attitude towards fitness in the entertainment industry has led to an explosion of muscular leading men in the 80s, including Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, and Jean-Claude Van Damme. Schwarzenegger shared that when he initially expressed his desire to become an actor, many producers, directors, and studio executives dismissed him, citing three reasons why he would never succeed: his accent, his large body, and his hard-to-pronounce name. However, Schwarzenegger ignored the naysayers and proved them wrong.
Schwarzenegger credited the movie “Stay Hungry” as a turning point in his career. It was a film that showcased a bodybuilder as a leading man, and it allowed him to bridge the gap between being a bodybuilder and a legitimate actor. Following “Stay Hungry,” Schwarzenegger went on to portray iconic characters such as Conan the Barbarian and the Terminator. It was the latter role that solidified his Hollywood status, with director James Cameron stating that Schwarzenegger’s accent and unique way of talking added an extra layer of believability to his portrayal of a machine.
Looking back, Schwarzenegger acknowledged that the 80s saw a shift in the perception of foreign names in Hollywood. Complex and hard-to-pronounce names were no longer seen as a disadvantage but rather as a unique selling point. He shared how his name, Schwarzenegger, became a brand, prominently featured on movie posters, indicating that he was a star.
In conclusion, Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s appearance on “Literally! with Rob Lowe” gave viewers a fascinating insight into his journey as a bodybuilder turned actor. From being told he was too muscular to make it in the movies to becoming one of Hollywood’s most iconic action stars, Schwarzenegger’s story serves as an inspiration to never let naysayers dictate one’s dreams.
