Arnold Schwarzenegger is heading into the festive season in a red suit. At 79, the man who once promised "I'll be back" plays Santa Claus in The Man with the Bag, a Christmas heist comedy from director Adam Shankman, co-starring Alan Ritchson and Awkwafina, which arrives on Prime Video on 2 December 2026. It is a fitting twist for a career that has never stood still, from Austrian gyms to Hollywood blockbusters and the governor's office in Sacramento.
Whether you grew up with The Terminator, rewound Predator until the tape wore thin or simply admire his drive, this is our fan-to-fan look at the life and work of the Austrian Oak. Find more screen legends in our Movie Stars collection.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Fact File
| Full name | Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger |
|---|---|
| Born | 30 July 1947 (age 79) |
| Birthplace | Thal, near Graz, Styria, Austria |
| Nationality | Austrian and American (US citizen since 1983) |
| Occupation | Actor, former bodybuilder, former Governor of California |
| Years active | 1970s–present (screen) |
| Known for | Action blockbusters, the Terminator films, seven Mr. Olympia titles |
| Nickname | The Austrian Oak |
Career History
| Year | Film/Show | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Pumping Iron | Himself (documentary) |
| 1982 | Conan the Barbarian | Conan |
| 1984 | The Terminator | The Terminator |
| 1985 | Commando | Colonel John Matrix |
| 1987 | Predator | Major Alan "Dutch" Schaefer |
| 1988 | Twins | Julius Benedict |
| 1990 | Total Recall | Douglas Quaid |
| 1990 | Kindergarten Cop | Detective John Kimble |
| 1991 | Terminator 2: Judgment Day | The Terminator |
| 1994 | True Lies | Harry Tasker |
| 2019 | Terminator: Dark Fate | T-800 / Carl |
| 2023–2025 | FUBAR (Netflix) | Luke Brunner |
| 2026 | The Man with the Bag | Santa Claus |
This is a selection of headline roles rather than a full filmography. FUBAR ran for two seasons on Netflix, and The Man with the Bag is scheduled for release on Prime Video on 2 December 2026.
From Thal to the Olympia Stage
Born in the small village of Thal in Styria, Arnold found his calling in the weights room as a teenager. At 20 he won the 1967 Mr. Universe title, and he went on to collect five Mr. Universe crowns in all. Then came Mr. Olympia, the sport's top prize, which he won six years in a row from 1970 to 1975 before returning for a seventh title in 1980. The 1977 documentary Pumping Iron captured that era and helped carry bodybuilding into the mainstream.
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Hollywood's Biggest Action Hero
Hollywood noticed early. His role in Stay Hungry (1976) earned him a Golden Globe for New Star of the Year, and Conan the Barbarian made him a leading man in 1982. Two years later The Terminator turned him into a global icon. The run that followed, with Commando, Predator, Total Recall and Terminator 2, defined the action cinema of a generation, while Twins and Kindergarten Cop showed that he could land a joke as well as a punch.
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Still Going Strong
He has kept working well into his seventies. He returned as the T-800 in Terminator: Dark Fate (2019), starred as CIA operative Luke Brunner in Netflix's FUBAR, and told his own story in the 2023 Netflix docuseries Arnold. Now comes his turn as Santa, which proves that the Austrian Oak is still happy to surprise his audience.
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Awards
Bodybuilding
- Mr. Universe: five titles, the first in 1967 at the age of 20
- Mr. Olympia: seven titles (1970–1975 and 1980)
Film
- Golden Globe Award: New Star of the Year – Actor, for Stay Hungry
Away From the Spotlight
Arnold became a US citizen in 1983. He served as the 38th Governor of California from November 2003 to January 2011. He was first elected in the 2003 recall election and re-elected in 2006. Since leaving office he has championed climate action, including the annual Austrian World Summit climate conference in Vienna.
FAQs
How old is Arnold Schwarzenegger?
Arnold Schwarzenegger was born on 30 July 1947, which makes him 79 years old.
What is Arnold Schwarzenegger's full name?
His full name is Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger.
Where was Arnold Schwarzenegger born?
He was born in Thal, a village near Graz in the Austrian state of Styria.
How many times did Arnold win Mr. Olympia?
Seven times: every year from 1970 to 1975, and again in 1980.
When was Arnold Schwarzenegger Governor of California?
He served as Governor from November 2003 to January 2011.
What is Arnold Schwarzenegger's new film?
He plays Santa Claus in The Man with the Bag, which is due on Prime Video on 2 December 2026.
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Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: Rocky: The Story of the Films, the Cast and the Oscars and Bruce Lee: His Films, Jeet Kune Do and Lasting Legacy.
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