Film, sport & leadership · 1947–
Arnold Schwarzenegger Life & Career Timeline
Bodybuilding champion, action star and Governor of California.
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19471959197119831995200720192026
ASArnold SchwarzeneggerFilm, sport & leadership
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About this timeline
About Arnold Schwarzenegger
An Austrian teenager pursues an improbable vision across elite sport, business, Hollywood, public office and environmental advocacy.
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Arnold Schwarzenegger biography
Arnold Schwarzenegger timeline: key events
Explore 19 documented Moments in chronological order. Read the dates, locations and source references below. Where available, additional context explains why a milestone matters.
Born in Austria
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger was born in a small village near Graz.
Source: www.britannica.comBegins weight training
Inspired by athletic and film heroes, he began training as a teenager.
Source: www.britannica.comMilitary service and first major title
While serving in the Austrian army, he won Junior Mr. Europe.
Source: www.britannica.comMoves to Munich
Schwarzenegger trained and worked at a gym while building his competitive career.
Source: www.britannica.comYoungest Mr. Universe
At 20, he won the amateur Mr. Universe title.
Source: www.britannica.comMoves to California
He trained at Gold’s Gym and entered the centre of professional bodybuilding.
Source: www.britannica.comFirst Mr. Olympia title
Schwarzenegger began a dominant run at bodybuilding’s premier contest.
Source: www.britannica.comPumping Iron filmed
His final contest before retirement became the climax of a landmark documentary.
Source: www.britannica.comPumping Iron reaches cinemas
The film introduced bodybuilding and Schwarzenegger’s charisma to a broad audience.
Source: www.britannica.comConan the Barbarian
The fantasy epic established him as a leading action star.
Source: www.britannica.comThe Terminator
A low-budget science-fiction film created his most enduring screen character.
Source: www.britannica.comPredator
The ensemble action film became another genre classic.
Source: www.britannica.comTwins
A comedy with Danny DeVito demonstrated a new side of his screen persona.
Source: www.britannica.comTerminator 2
The blockbuster combined pioneering visual effects with Schwarzenegger’s defining role.
Source: www.britannica.comElected Governor of California
Schwarzenegger won the state’s recall election as a Republican.
Source: www.britannica.comRe-elected governor
Voters gave him a full second term.
Source: www.britannica.comReturns to entertainment
After leaving office, he resumed acting and expanded public advocacy.
Source: www.britannica.comEnvironmental and civic work expands
The Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative and annual summit promoted practical climate action.
Source: www.britannica.comFUBAR returns for season two
Schwarzenegger returned as CIA operative Luke Brunner in the second season of Netflix’s action-comedy series FUBAR.
Why it matters: The series extended his screen career into long-form streaming television while retaining his action-comedy persona.
Source: www.netflix.comThis educational timeline is not endorsed by or affiliated with Arnold Schwarzenegger or their representatives. Event text is original editorial copy based on the linked sources.
Photo: Nate Mandos / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
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About the Arnold Schwarzenegger timeline
Who is Arnold Schwarzenegger?
An Austrian teenager pursues an improbable vision across elite sport, business, Hollywood, public office and environmental advocacy.
How many moments are included?
This public timeline currently contains 19 sourced moments spanning 1947–.
Who maintains this timeline?
This public timeline is created and maintained by Memmie Editorial Team. Schools, clubs and cultural organisations can apply to become timeline partners.
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