Very little introduction is necessary for Arnold Schwarzenegger. The mere mention of his difficult name will encourage a frenzy of movie quotes mimicking his iconic accent. For bodybuilders, it will also bring compliments on his physique and the bodybuilding documentary Pumping Iron. Californians will envision their former governor, and metal enthusiasts will bang their heads to the tribute bands Austrian Death Machine and ArnoCorps. Arnold has had a major effect on many aspects of culture, and is arguable the most influential celebrity in America.
Arnold’s most obvious influence has been in the action movie genre. According to IMDB, Arnold has appeared in 41 films, and is rumored to make an appearance in the upcoming sequel to The Expendables. If you were to sit in the theater during the premier of the first movie’s trailer, you would likely here the joyous shouts of many men as Arnold appeared on screen. This is excitement stemmed from his extensive career in the movie industry. His first film was the laughably terrible Hercules in New York in 1969. His big break came in the 1982 film Conan the Barbarian, but his most well known role has been in the Terminator series. Since the first film’s release, it has spawned three sequels with more rumored to come, a slew of video games, and an abundance of toys. While his appearance in the movies is an obvious explanation to their success, Arnold made a major alteration to the first film that is likely the underlying cause. Originally, James Cameron had wanted Arnold to play as the protagonist Kyle Reese. Arnold requested the role of the Machine instead, much to the chagrin of Cameron. Arnold’s reply was to “trust me,” and history was made. The Terminator series also saw the introduction of his most quoted line, “I’ll be back,” which has been used in many of his films since. The film Last Action Hero even poked fun at his expected use of the phrase. It could be argued, however, that Arnold is not the largest influence on the film industry. Sylvester Stallone has acted in an mind-blowing 58 films and directed, wrote, and produced numerous others, including The Expendables. Sylvester Stallone invokes renditions of “Eye of the Tiger,” visions of .50 cal machine guns mowing down Vietnamese with boxing gloves, and cries of “Adrian!” While Stallone’s fame is hard to ignore, it is harder to quantify. Sure, he starred in and created more films, but how many of them are well known? The Rocky and Rambo series are his major hitters. Arnold can claim Conan, The Terminator, Total Recall, Kindergarten Cop, and many others. Arnold shows a greater, if only slightly, influence on the industry.
A great factor in Arnold’s movie career has been his gigantic physique. Since 1970, he has won five Mr. Universe titles and seven Mr. Olympia titles. However, many considered bodybuilding to be an “oddball sport.” It was not until the 1977 documentary Pumping Iron that bodybuilding became so popular. Between some of the film’s staged scenes and Arnold’s witticisms, bodybuilding took off as an accepted lifestyle choice. Bodybuilding remains vastly popular today (though the proper science thereof is lost on most). In the words of Andrew Sullivan, Arnold “did a deeply American thing: he took a bohemian subculture and infused it with the hard-edged, competitive ethos of capitalism. He has played the popular culture with unerring skill ever since.” Amongst the bodybuilding culture, one scene of the film in particular has stuck, despite its exaggeration. In an interview in the film, Arnold equates the pump acquired the gym with an orgasm. While Arnold states in a later commentary that he was joking to sensationalize the film, many bodybuilders believe he was serious about the claim. Arnold’s presence in the film certainly embedded the documentary in the minds of many.
Schwarzenegger rocking a barbell curl and bert-stared by a scrawny man.
In a temporary retirement from acting, Arnold served as the Governor of California from 2003 to 2011. Many Americans fail to follow state elections across the United States, let alone for their own state. The 2003 elections, however, were widely televised, due to Arnold’s monumental celebrity status. As the 2003 elections were a recall of former Governor Gray Davis, many have dubbed the event as a “Total Recall” in honor of one of Arnold’s films. Arnold’s status made him better known to the people than many candidates, helping to contribute to a grassroots trend of campaigning, in which the people feel a more personal connection to a candidate. Arnold’s campaign signs never called for people to vote for him, but to “join” him, harboring a strong sense of group cause. Of course, Arnold is not the only actor to turn politician. In fact, he isn’t even the most influential. Before his tenure as the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan enjoyed his own stint as an actor. While Reagan did not hold the same level of notoriety in film as the Governator, he certainly had a greater influence on the United States and the world in the political realm.
With Arnold’s extensive influence in multiple fields, it should come as no surprise that he has inspired music, as well. Currently, there are at least two metal-based bands created in tribute to the behemoth: ArnoCorps and Austrian Death Machine. ArnoCorps does not openly admit their dedication to Arnold, preferring to claim such songs as “Terminator” and “Commando” are in homage to Austrian lore, which have been “bastardized for cinematic exploitation in big-budget Hollywood blockbuster.” Between the song titles, the Austrian decent of the band, and the truncated use of Arnold’s name in the name of their band, it is obvious who their inspiration truly is. Austrian Death Machine is the side project of Tim Lambesis, front man for the very popular Christian metal band As I Lay Dying. Lambesis says the inspiration came from a discussion backstage regarding how great it would be to have fans rush the stage to sing Arnold’s one-liners. This obviously made an impression on the singer, as he began writing songs a year later for what became the album Total Brutal. The songs consist of Arnold quotes screamed by Lambesis and spoken by an Arnold impersonator. While Arnold’s movies are the main subject matter, Lambesis recognizes his other roles as well. The intro to Total Brutal is presented by “the Govenator, also known as the gummy bear of Candy Cornia…Mr. Universe, and the greatest actor in the world.” Since then, there has been one additional album release, Double Brutal, and a Christmas EP, A Very Brutal Christmas. No other actor can say they have inspired two successful bands, let alone have the material for multiple albums consisting almost entirely of their one-liners.
Arnold Schwarzenegger had clearly had a great influence on American culture in many ways. He has been a world-renowned actor and a musical inspiration. He is largely responsible for the popularity of bodybuilding, a sport that many had previously shunned. His most recent foray has been into the world of politics as the Governor of California. While he is certainly not the most influential celebrity in the political realm, his significant contribution to politics, music, fitness, and film add up to a level of cultural influence that few but religious figures can claim. For Arnold, the greatest things in life are to crush your political enemies under your feet, to take their ticket money and their bodies, and to hear the lamentation of their music.
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