Arnold Schwarzenegger was born on July 30, 1947, near Graz, Austria. His parents were the local police chief and they wanted him to grow up to be like them, but Arnold had another interests. As a kid he played several sports, and at the age of 14 he was attracted to body building also, he was dreaming about being a famous champion while many people underestimated his dreams.
Schwarzenegger served in the Austrian Army in 1965 to fulfill the one year of service required at the time of all 18-year-old Austrian males. During his army service, he won the Junior Mr. Europe contest. He went AWOL during basic training so he could take part in the competition, He won the first place and spent a week in military prison after that. He said “Participating in the competition meant so much to me that I didn’t carefully think through the consequences.”
With a keen interest in physical fitness and seemingly indomitable drive, parlayed his notoriety as a five-time Mr. Universe and seven-time Mr. Olympia champion to turn himself into a Hollywood movie star and public personality.
In 1977, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association recognized him with a Golden Globe for New Male Star of the Year for his role in Stay Hungry opposite Sally Field. His big break came in 1982 when the sword and sorcery epic, Conan the Barbarian, hit box office gold.