Arnold: Exploring Schwarzenegger‘s Three Lives

Factual America

Arnold Schwarzenegger is one of the most recognisable figures in the world today. His meteoric rise to fame began in the 1960s and 70s when he won the coveted Mr Olympia and Mr Universe bodybuilding titles multiple times. In the 80s and 90s, Schwarzenegger starred in some of the most successful action films ever to be made, including The Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, and Predator. And in 2003, he won election as governor of California, a feat he would repeat in 2007.

But life hasn’t always gone so perfectly for Schwarzenegger. Drug use and allegations of sexual misconduct are just two of the controversies that he has faced. And in 2011, Maria Shriver, his wife of 25 years, left him, when he admitted to having had an affair several years earlier.

In a new Netflix docu-series Arnold, Schwarzenegger reflects on the highs and lows of his life. From its humble beginnings in post-war Austria, stardom in America, to life at 75, his new ventures, and pets.

Joining Matthew Sherwood is Lesley Chilcott, the director of Arnold. Amongst other things, she discusses Schwarzenegger’s ‘laser focus’, the secret to his success, his failures, his humour, and the mystery of what might be called his prescience. Lesley also talks about how she likes to ‘edit musically’, the challenge of making a docu-series about such a rich and diversely lived life, and even the comic idea of ‘Arnold’s limitlessness’.

Schwarzenegger may indeed be one of the most recognisable people alive today but that doesn’t mean we know everything about him. Join Matthew and Lesley as they unpeel the layers from the life of Arnold.

Watch the episode at https://factualamerica.com

“... a good friend of [Schwarzenegger’s], Paul, always says, You know, I've known Arnold for 40 years, and he sees around corners, and I don't know how he does it. And I don't know what's planned versus what isn't, even though I talk to him almost every day.” – Lesley Chilcott