Arnold Schwarzenegger Reveals ‘Terminator' Movie He Thought Was The Worst By Far
The actor and former California governor, who first played the cyborg assassin in the 1984 original, was asked by a viewer to decide among the franchise's six entries on 'Watch What Happens Live' Monday.
'I would say the worst was probably the No. 4 because that was done during the time I was governor and I was not in it,' he said. 'Does that make sense? How do you do 'Terminator' movie without me being in a 'Terminator' movie, right? Doesn't make any sense.'
That film would be 'Terminator Salvation' (2009), with Christian Bale at the top of the marquee. The film proved to be a relative box office and critical dud, and 'killed' the future of the franchise, at least according to one outlet.
Host Andy Cohen asked him if he used his power of office to complain.
'I called immediately,' Schwarzenegger replied. 'I said I'm gonna pass a law. Is it forbidden to do movies that suck? ... Yeah, of course. It's a no-brainer.'
Schwarzenegger reappeared in the series in 2015's 'Terminator Genisys,' which outgrossed 'Salvation' by about $432 million to about $356 million, respectively.
'Terminator: Dark Fate' (2019) was Schwarzenegger's last installment, earning decent reviews but disappointing box office.
Fast-forward to 1:18 for the 'Terminator' takedown:
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Arnold Schwarzenegger Wisecracks About Ex-Wife Maria Shriver At Film Promo Event
Why Arnold Schwarzenegger Won't Judge Son Patrick's Nude Scenes
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Miami Herald
11 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Arnold Schwarzenegger's net worth: A look inside the ‘FUBAR' star's wealth
As famous for his film roles as he is for his muscular physique, Arnold Schwarzenegger is, in fact, known as the most influential bodybuilder in history. But his influence extends far beyond the gym, since he became a major force as a Hollywood star in the 1980s and 1990s by playing larger-than-life heroes and villains in a variety of genres, only to put his movie career on hold to serve as a two-term governor of California. Schwarzenegger, it seems, succeeds at nearly everything he tries, due to his infamous work ethic, sheer versatility, and willingness to learn from his mistakes-although he's also ignited his share of scandals over the years, particularly in regard to his personal life. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter But while Schwarzenegger still commands top dollar for his acting roles, reportedly pocketing $25 million for FUBAR, Netflix's hit action-comedy series that launched its second season in June 2025, box office earnings only make up about half of Schwarzenegger's wealth. The rest comes from a diverse portfolio of real estate, fitness, production, and investment interests that recently catapulted the action hero into the 10-digit club. So, just how much money does Arnold Schwarzenegger have? According to Forbes, which tracks the fortunes of the world's richest people in real time, Arnold Schwarzenegger's estimated net worth was $1.2 billion as of July 2025. The esteemed publication reported that Schwarzenegger earned $500 million from his film roles and profit sharing deals, before taxes and fees. Surprisingly, his largest payday did not come from a big-budget action movie, but rather, a quirky comedy in which he took no salary at all. Related: Brad Pitt's net worth: The A-List actor's wealth at 61 On the June 24, 2025 episode ofWatch What Happens Live, Schwarzenegger told host Andy Cohen that the 1988 flick Twins, directed by Ivan Reitman and co-starring Danny DeVito, was his highest-paying film. While Schwarzenegger wouldn't reveal the exact sum, he did confirm that the amount was "over $40 million," due to a deal that entitled him to a slice of the film's box office profits. Schwarzenegger opted not to take a salary for the comedic role because he wanted to prove he had the acting chops,not just to star in action films, but in other genres, as well. Schwarzenegger commands around $20 million per movie. His breakthrough role was in 1982's Conan the Barbarian, yet he earned just $75,000 in 1984 for his role in The Terminator. However, he only had 17 lines of dialogue for his part, which works out to be $4,400 per word-or $13,200 for his immortal phrase, "I'll be back." Arnold Schwarzenegger's film salaries By 1996, Schwarzenegger had become the world's highest-paid actor, earning $76 million, according to Wikipedia. And although he famously portrayed the evil cyber android sent back in time to kill Sarah Connor in The Terminator franchise, Schwarzenegger did not receive residuals for his digital likeness used in 2009's Terminator Salvation; due to his commitments as Governor of California, he could not appear in the film itself. The hardships and poverty Schwarzenegger endured as a child made his future successes so much more incredible. Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger was born on July 30, 1947, in Thal, Austria, a village of 2,000 people. He remained close to his mother, Aurelia, all of his life. His father, Gustav, was the local police chief who had joined the Nazi Party in 1938, a fact that received much attention during Schwarzenegger's political campaign. Gustav rose to the rank of sergeant major and served in the battle of Stalingrad, although he was discharged in 1943 after contracting malaria. Life after World War II was difficult for all Austrians, and Schwarzenegger's family often experienced food shortages while living in their devastated town. In fact, the highlight of his childhood was when his family bought a refrigerator. Related: Lauren Sánchez's net worth: A look at her wealth as she marries Jeff Bezos Schwarzenegger has admitted that he and his older brother, Meinhard, were physically abused by his father, and that Gustav had suspicions that Arnold was not his legitimate child. Tragically, Meinhard was killed instantly in a car accident while driving intoxicated in 1971. Schwarzenegger considered himself to be the rebel of the family and endured his father's punishments because he knew he wouldn't be around for long. "I'm going to move out of here," he often told himself, recalling in a 2004 interview with The Scotsman, "I want to be rich. I want to be somebody." An average student with exceptional charisma, Schwarzenegger was later diagnosed with dyslexia. Owing to his father's insistence that he participate in sports, Schwarzenegger played football in high school and began weight training at age 14. He was instantly hooked and revealed that he was so dedicated that if he missed a workout, he would literally become ill. On his way home from the gym, the budding bodybuilder liked to stop at the local movie theater to watch films of his weightlifting heroes, like Steve Reeves and Johnny Weissmuller, and American Westerns starring John Wayne. When he turned 18, Schwarzenegger served in the Austrian Army, like all males were required to do, but he actually went AWOL one weekend to participate in the Junior Mr. Europe bodybuilding competition. Schwarzenegger ended up winning the contest, but as a consequence of his actions, he had to spend a week in military prison. Schwarzenegger won multiple bodybuilding contests throughout Europe and the United States, including Mr. Universe four times as well as Mr. Olympia six times. His naturally large, 6'2" frame provided a solid foundation for building muscle mass, and his relentless workout schedule-often training multiple times a day with heavy weights, six days a week-pushed his body to the limit, albeit with fabulous results. He was called a "mass monster" for his powerful, well-defined upper body, proportionate legs, and narrow waist, which achieved a symmetrical and aesthetically pleasing look. The athlete also admitted to taking steroids, which were legal at the time, in order to maintain his mass, although the heart issues he has experienced in later years were not a result of these drugs; rather, they stemmed from a heart defect that he was born with. In 1968, at the height of his bodybuilding career, Schwarzenegger moved to Los Angeles on a B-1 visa. He trained at the Gold's Gym in Venice, where he earned the nickname "Austrian oak." Speaking little English, he enrolled in ESOL classes at Santa Monica College and later became a U.S. citizen in 1983. Schwarzenegger won a total of $27,000 from his bodybuilding competitions, which, adjusted for inflation, would be worth about $147,000 in 2025. He was also featured in the 1977 documentary Pumping Iron, which brought mainstream attention to the world of bodybuilding. His personality and charm made him a household name-and gained Hollywood's attention, as well. Muscles weren't the only building project Schwarzenegger had in mind when he moved to California; real estate was, too. Lucky for him, the deals he made in the early 1970s would pay off in dividends, and by the time he appeared in Conan the Barbarian, he was already a millionaire. Commercial real estate In the early 1970s, Arnold used his bodybuilding winnings along with a loan from his trainer to purchase the six-unit, Santa Monica apartment building he was living in for $214,000. After about a year, he sold the building for $360,000 and used the proceeds to buy a 12-unit building; later, he traded that for a 36-unit building, and then a 100-unit building. By investing his profits, Schwarzenegger avoided paying taxes-and exponentially increased his wealth. Schwarzenegger bought another commercial property in Santa Monica, an office building, for $450,000, later selling that for $2.3 million. He made $7 million from a property in Nevada, and $36 million from a building in Venice Beach. He owned a sizable stake in Beverly Hills' Waldorf Astoria Hotel and invested in the Easton Town Center shopping mall outside of Columbus, Ohio. In total, Schwarzenegger's commercial real estate holdings are estimated to be worth $100 million-and that doesn't even include his personal residences, of which there are several. Investments In his 2012 memoir, Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story, Arnold explained his outsized appetite for risk, saying "conservative bets-the kind that would generate 4 percent a year, say-didn't interest me." One of his biggest gambles, purchasing a minority stake in billionaire David Booth's Dimensional Fund Advisors in 1996, proved to be one of his most successful. The firm grew from managing $12 billion in assets to $777 billion in 2025. Film and production companies Arnold parlayed his personal fitness triumphs into a slew of best-selling fitness books and magazines, and owns brands like Fitness Publications Inc. and Pumping Iron America. Oak Productions, his film and production company, has played a role in hits like the Terminator franchise, True Lies, and even the animated children's series Superhero Kindergarten. More celebrity entrepreneurs: Tom Cruise's net worth: The 'Mission: Impossible' star's wealth in 2025Meghan Markle's net worth: All about the Duchess of Sussex's wealthLeBron James' net worth: New records, unparalleled wealth He also received $1 million per year to write a fitness column for American Media Inc., the publisher of Muscle & Fitness and Flex magazines, beginning in 2004. He relinquished the role after conflict-of-interest criticisms surfaced when he took office as Governor of California, but resumed writing in March 2013. Today, he hosts the podcast "Arnold's Pump Club," and publishes a daily newsletter on his fitness app, "The Pump." The Terminator became the Governator on October 7, 2003, when Schwarzenegger was elected governor of California. Despite having no prior political experience, Schwarzenegger announced his bid on The Tonight Show and emerged as the winner of the 11-week campaign to replace Gray Davis, who had become the first governor to be recalled by the people since 1921. Schwarzenegger served two terms from 2003 to 2011. As governor, Arnold was eligible for an annual salary of $175,000, but he declined the payment, citing his own personal wealth as well as his commitment to serving the public. Schwarzenegger is affiliated with the Republican Party, although his statements and actions often put him at odds with conservatives. He endorsed Democrat Kamala Harris during her 2024 Presidential bid, saying, "I will always be an American before I am a Republican." If Schwarzenegger had been a natural-born citizen, he has stated that he would "absolutely" run for President, although at the present time, he is not constitutionally eligible to run. The same year Schwarzenegger left office, 2011, he also became separated from his wife of 25 years, Maria Shriver. A journalist and niece of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, Shriver had learned that Schwarzenegger had fathered a child with their housekeeper, Patty Baena; in fact, Baena was pregnant at the same time Shriver was pregnant with their couple's fourth child. Schwarzenegger and Shriver did not have a prenuptial agreement in place, and so when their divorce was finalized in July 2022, Shriver received half of the action star's wealth, an estimated $250–$375 million. While their relationship endured its bumps, the two consider themselves on friendly terms today as well as great co-parents to their children. Arnold Schwarzenegger's children Schwarzenegger and Shriver share four children: daughter Katherine (b. 1989), the wife of actor Chris Pratt; daughter Christina (b. 1991); son Patrick (b. 1993), who starred in Season 3 of the HBO series White Lotus; and son Christopher (b. 1997). Schwarzenegger and Baena's son, Joseph, was born in 1997 and is also an actor; despite the scandal, he and his father have had a close relationship, and Schwarzenegger prides himself on the fact that he has a strong bond with all of his children. Is Schwarzenegger in a relationship with anyone today? Arnold has been dating Heather Milligan since 2012. The physical therapist met The Terminator after he underwent shoulder surgery while preparing for the 2013 film Escape Plan; his surgeon recommended Milligan. Schwarzenegger told People that despite their 27-year age difference, the two have much in common. "After my therapy was finished, after I was finished shooting Escape Plan, I called her and took her out for lunch to say thank you," he said, "And then one thing led to the next." The couple are big animal lovers and maintain a menagerie of rescued creatures, including dogs, donkeys, and a miniature pony named Whiskey. Arnold even lets them have free rein in his home and gym. In addition to his extramarital affair with Patty Baena, Schwarzenegger has made headlines for allegations of sexual misconduct from as many as 40 different women. In fact, Schwarzenegger's name was brought up during Donald Trump's 2024 felony trial by National Enquirer publisher David Pecker, who revealed that he had a similar "hush money" arrangement with the Total Recall actor, and received hundreds of thousands of dollars not to publish incriminating stories. In Arnold, the 2023 Netflix documentary about his life, Schwarzenegger admitted that his behavior towards women was "wrong." According to Celebrity Net Worth, Schwarzenegger's residential empire is valued between $50–$60 million. It includes a 14,500-square-foot mansion in Brentwood, Calif., that Schwarzenegger kept in his divorce settlement. The home sits on six acres of prime real estate and features ocean views, a pool, and a tennis court. Schwarzenegger and Shriver also maintain joint ownership of their properties in Sun Valley, Idaho, and Hyannis, Massachusetts. Schwarzenegger was born with a bicuspid aortic valve, which means his heart only has two valves instead of three. He has undergone surgery multiple times to replace the valve, and his recovery periods have included stints using a wheelchair and a walker to get around. The action star is a lifelong health advocate who follows an 80% vegan diet, and he especially enjoys eating veggie burgers, lentils, beans and eggs. Related: The most satisfying new cars & SUVs, according to Consumer Reports The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Geek Vibes Nation
a day ago
- Geek Vibes Nation
Arnold Schwarzenegger's Biggest Payday Came From An Unexpected Comedy Hit
Arnold Schwarzenegger, the action star behind iconic blockbusters like The Terminator, Predator, and Total Recall, revealed that his most lucrative film was none of these high-octane thrillers. Instead, it was the 1988 comedy Twins, where he starred alongside Danny DeVito, that earned him his biggest paycheck. During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live, Schwarzenegger dropped the bombshell: he made over $40 million from the Ivan Reitman-directed film, more than any other movie in his career. A Clever Back-End Deal The secret to Schwarzenegger's massive earnings from Twins was a savvy business decision. He and DeVito agreed to forgo up-front salaries in exchange for a 40% share of the film's profits. 'We got no money for the salary but ownership with a piece of the back end,' Schwarzenegger explained. 'It was fantastic. We went all the way to the bank with that.' This gamble paid off handsomely. Twins grossed $216 million worldwide and continued to generate revenue through home video sales, becoming one of the most profitable comedies of its era. By betting on the film's potential, Schwarzenegger and DeVito secured a financial windfall that outstripped the earnings from his action-heavy roles. Defying Expectations At the time, casting Schwarzenegger in a comedy was a risky move. Studios were skeptical, believing his box-office draw depended on his action-hero persona. 'They said, 'Are you crazy? The more people that this guy kills on-screen, the more money we make. Why would we change that?'' Schwarzenegger recalled in a Variety Actors on Actors conversation with his son, Patrick. However, director Ivan Reitman and co-star Danny DeVito saw untapped potential in the idea of Schwarzenegger playing a genetically engineered twin brother to DeVito's character. 'If we don't take any salaries, we can shoot the movie for $16.5 million. We worked out a deal where we got 40% of the backend of the movie. It happened to be the best deal we've ever made.' A Sequel That Never Was Fans of Twins have long hoped for a sequel, with a project titled Triplets—which would have included Eddie Murphy—once in development. Sadly, the project stalled after Reitman's passing. 'Reitman passed away before we wanted to start shooting,' Schwarzenegger noted, suggesting that the dream of a follow-up may have ended with the original director. Despite the lack of a sequel, Twins remains a landmark in Schwarzenegger's career, not only for its comedic success but also for proving his business acumen. By taking a chance on a low-budget comedy and a bold back-end deal, Schwarzenegger secured his biggest Hollywood payday and a lasting legacy in an unexpected genre.
Geek Tyrant
a day ago
- Geek Tyrant
Arnold Schwarzenegger Says He Made More Money From TWINS Than Any Other Film in His Career — GeekTyrant
Arnold Schwarzenegger casually dropped the kind of Hollywood earnings bombshell during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live. It's there he revealed that the 1988 comedy Twins ended up being his most lucrative film. 'It was more than any movie I ever made,' Schwarzenegger said, revealing he earned over $40 million from the Ivan Reitman-directed comedy co-starring Danny DeVito. Schwarzenegger starred in so many iconic blockbuster films in his career with The Terminator franchise, Predator , Total Recall , True Lies , and it was Twins , the oddball comedy where he plays a genetically engineered twin brother to DeVito, that made him the most money. How did that happen? It all came down to a clever back-end deal. Schwarzenegger explained: 'Well, number one was Twins because we got no money for the salary but ownership with a piece of the back end. It was fantastic. We went all the way to the bank with that.' He and DeVito agreed to take zero up-front salary in exchange for 40% of the film's profits, betting on the film's potential instead of demanding big checks. The gamble paid off. Big time. When asked if his earnings were more than $40 million, Schwarzenegger confirmed it went even higher. 'It was more than that. It was more than any movie I ever made.' Twins ultimately grossed $216 million worldwide and continued to rake in cash via home video, becoming one of the most unexpectedly profitable comedies of its era. At the time, studios weren't exactly lining up to put Schwarzenegger in a comedy. 'They said, 'Are you crazy? The more people that this guy kills on-screen, the more money we make. Why would we change that?'' he recalled in a Variety Actors on Actors conversation with his son Patrick. But Reitman and DeVito saw something different—and believed in the idea. Schwarzenegger took a massive swing with the business model. 'If we don't take any salaries, we can shoot the movie for $16.5 million. We worked out a deal where we got 40% of the backend of the movie. It happened to be the best deal we've ever made.' Fans have long hoped for a sequel. A follow-up called Triplets , which would have added Eddie Murphy to the mix, was in development, but never materialized. 'Reitman passed away before we wanted to start shooting,' Schwarzenegger said, signaling that the dream might have ended with the original film's director.
