Schwarzenegger received a Golden Globe Award for Best Newcomer for his
performance in Stay Hungry (1976). He was also featured in Pumping Iron
(1977), a bodybuilding documentary. With his intense physical strength
and size, Schwarzenegger was a natural for action films. He became a
leading figure in several popular 1980s action movies, including Conan
the Barbarian (1982). Schwarzenegger also starred as a deadly machine
from the future in The Terminator (1984). The science-fiction drama
spawned two sequels—Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) and Terminator 3:
Rise of the Machines (2003).
An audience favorite, Schwarzenegger made several more popular movies,
such as True Lies (1994) and Batman & Robin (1997). He even tried
his hand at comedy with some successes, including Twins (1988),
Kindergarten Cop (1990), and Junior (1994). As the decade drew to close,
Schwarzenegger's popularity appeared to be waning.
Besides his work in films, Schwarzenegger was a businessman and fitness
advocate. He was an investor in the Planet Hollywood restaurant chain.
Appointed by President George Bush, Schwarzenegger served as the
chairman of the President's Council on Physical Education and Sports in
the early 1990s. He has also supported the Special Olympics and Inner
City Games for many years.
A vocal member of the Republican Party, Schwarzenegger campaigned to
become governor of California in 2003. During his run for office, he was
accused of sexual assault, but no charges were filed. Schwarzenegger
went on to win the election. As governor, he worked to improve the
state's financial situation, to promote new businesses, and to protect
the environment. In 2006, Schwarzenegger won easily won his bid for
re-election.
Schwarzenegger married Maria Shriver, a member of the Kennedy political
dynasty, in 1986. The couple has four children: Katherine, Christina,
Patrick, and Christopher.
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