Arnold Schwarzenegger's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Arnold Schwarzenegger. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Arnold Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American actor, businessman, and former politician and bodybuilder. He is famed for his action film roles, achieving global recognition in movies like 'The Terminator.' Transitioning from entertainment, he served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 to 2011, demonstrating a career shift into the political arena after his bodybuilding and acting successes.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1964: Weightlifting Contest Wins

In 1964, Arnold Schwarzenegger won two weightlifting contests.

1965: Junior Mr. Europe Win

In 1965, Arnold Schwarzenegger won the Junior Mr. Europe contest, marking one of his earliest bodybuilding competition victories.

1965: Weightlifting Contest Wins

In 1965, Arnold Schwarzenegger won two weightlifting contests.

1966: Powerlifting Contest Win

In 1966, Arnold Schwarzenegger won a powerlifting contest.

1967: Won Mr. Universe Title

In 1967, Arnold Schwarzenegger won the Mr. Universe title for the first time, becoming the youngest ever to do so at age 20.

1967: Munich Stone-Lifting Contest Win

In 1967, Arnold Schwarzenegger won the Munich stone-lifting contest, lifting a 508 German pound (254 kg / 560 lb) stone.

1968: Powerlifting Contest Win

In 1968, Arnold Schwarzenegger won a powerlifting contest.

1970: Mr. Olympia Win

In 1970, Arnold Schwarzenegger won the Mr. Olympia competition, becoming the youngest ever Mr. Olympia at the age of 23, a record that still holds to this day.

1970: Won First Mr. Olympia Title

In 1970, at age 23, Arnold Schwarzenegger captured his first Mr. Olympia title in New York.

1971: Winning Streak Continues

In 1971, Arnold Schwarzenegger continued his winning streak in bodybuilding competitions.

1974: Winning Streak Continues

In 1974, Arnold Schwarzenegger continued his winning streak in bodybuilding competitions.

1975: Schwarzenegger wins Mr. Olympia

In 1975, Arnold Schwarzenegger won Mr. Olympia. The documentary film Pumping Iron (1977) shows Schwarzenegger smoking a marijuana joint after winning Mr. Olympia in 1975.

1975: Sixth Consecutive Mr. Olympia Title and Retirement Announcement

In 1975, Arnold Schwarzenegger won the Mr. Olympia title for the sixth consecutive time, beating Franco Columbu. After the 1975 competition, he announced his retirement from professional bodybuilding.

1975: Filming "Pumping Iron" and Mr. Olympia Win

Months before the 1975 Mr. Olympia contest, filmmakers persuaded Arnold Schwarzenegger to compete and film his training for the bodybuilding documentary "Pumping Iron". After losing weight for the film Stay Hungry, Schwarzenegger won the 1975 Mr. Olympia for the sixth time, beating Lou Ferrigno.

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1976: Golden Globe Win for Stay Hungry

In 1976, Arnold Schwarzenegger received a Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actor, for his role in the film "Stay Hungry".

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1980: Comeback and Seventh Mr. Olympia Win

In 1980, Arnold Schwarzenegger came out of retirement to compete in Mr. Olympia. Training for his role in "Conan", he decided to compete last minute, winning with only seven weeks of preparation. He announced his official retirement from competition after winning the event for the seventh time. This victory was considered controversial due to his lack of muscle mass compared to other competitors. The event was covered in the documentary "The Comeback".

1982: Breakthrough Role in Conan the Barbarian

In 1982, Arnold Schwarzenegger had his breakthrough role in the sword and sorcery epic "Conan the Barbarian", which became a box-office hit.

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1988: Twins Release and Commercial Success

In 1988, Arnold Schwarzenegger starred in the comedy film "Twins" with Danny DeVito, which proved to be a commercial success. Schwarzenegger took no upfront salary but received over $40 million in profits after expenses, marking his biggest paycheck.

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1991: Terminator 2: Judgment Day Release

In 1991, Arnold Schwarzenegger reprised his role in "Terminator 2: Judgment Day", which became the highest-grossing film of the year.

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1993: International Star of the Decade Award and Last Action Hero Release

In 1993, Arnold Schwarzenegger was named the "International Star of the Decade" by the National Association of Theatre Owners. His film "Last Action Hero" was released but did not perform well at the box office.

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October 7, 2003: Election as Governor of California

On October 7, 2003, Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected Governor of California in the recall election, succeeding Gray Davis. Schwarzenegger received 48.6% of the vote.

2004: Saved a drowning man in Hawaii

In 2004, Arnold Schwarzenegger saved a drowning man while on vacation in Hawaii by swimming out and bringing him back to shore.

November 7, 2006: Schwarzenegger wins re-election as Governor of California

On November 7, 2006, Arnold Schwarzenegger won re-election against Democrat Phil Angelides in the California gubernatorial election. Schwarzenegger secured 56.0% of the vote, a margin of over 1 million votes, despite a challenging year for the Republican party nationally.

2006: California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006

In 2006, the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 was enacted. This action was significant enough for Arnold Schwarzenegger to win the 2007 European Voice campaigner of the year award.

2007: Schwarzenegger wins European Voice Campaigner of the Year award

In 2007, Arnold Schwarzenegger won the European Voice campaigner of the year award for his actions against climate change with the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006.