The new Netflix documentary “Arnold” chronicles the multiple careers of Arnold Schwarzenegger. From his beginnings as a bodybuilder, to becoming the biggest box office draw, to being the only person to become governor of California through a recallable election.
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Lesley Chilcott credits Schwarzenegger’s strong mindset as the reason he was able to succeed in three very different careers.
“Bodybuilding is obviously a competition, I didn’t really know that Arnold looked at acting as a potential competition, and then he certainly looked at running for governor and being governor as a competition,” Chilcott said.
The documentary delves into Schwarzenegger’s political career, his run for governor, and explores Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver’s public divorce.
Chilcott also explored Schwarzenegger’s political legacy
Schwarzenegger has achieved a lot in his life, but not without controversy and problems. The new documentary shows all aspects of the former governor in a three-part series.
“Arnold” director Lesley Chilcott joined “Inside the Issues” host Alex Cohen to discuss the new documentary and the central figure.
Chilcott credits Schwarzenegger’s strong mindset as the reason he was able to succeed in three very different careers.
“Bodybuilding is obviously a competition, I didn’t really know that Arnold looked at acting as a potential competition, and then he certainly looked at running for governor and being governor as a competition,” Chilcott said.
The documentary delves into Schwarzenegger’s political career and run for governor, including the build-up to when he announced his run for governor on the “Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and the hesitation that his wife Maria Shriver had with him.
“I understand that she grew up in the political arena and I think that by marrying Arnold Schwarzenegger she thought she was taking this big leap in a completely different direction,” Chilcott said. “So to end up back in the family business, so to speak, was a real surprise for her.”
The documentary also explored Schwarzenegger and Shriver’s public divorce. When he started this documentary, Chilcott said he needed Schwarzenegger to promise that he would be open to talking about any topic.
“I think for a long time he’s been known for his accomplishments, but for some big personal failures,” Chilcott said.
Just before Schwarzenegger was elected governor of California, an LA Times story came out with multiple accusations from women of sexual harassment and unwanted grouping.
“What was important to me was that I address it in the film and address it fully,” Chilcott said.
Chilcott also explored Schwarzenegger’s political legacy. As a Republican governor, Schwarzenegger signed the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, which set goals to sharply reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions over the next two decades.
“That’s had a ripple effect so far, whether it’s the solar roof initiative or all sorts of things,” Chilcott said.
He added that even today the former bodybuilder-turned-actor-turned-governor remains very active running his own institution focused on public policy while also writing a self-help book and developing an app.
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