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Wednesday 08 October 2003
Arnie: from bodybuilder to Governor
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Arnold Schwarzenegger has become the new governor of California in the United States of America. This continues the upward rise of Schwazenegger's career. But how did he get there? Find out in this report from Lawrence Pollard: |
Listen to the story
Arnold Schwarzenegger is a former Mr. Universe who overcame an inability either to act or speak English to become one of the world's biggest film stars. To Californians his candidacy is not as bizarre as it might seem to the rest of the world.
Firstly Mr. Schwarzenegger is hugely famous for his simple and effective action movies. This gives him the strong public image any politician would want, complete with "I'll be back" catchphrases and a salary of 30 million dollars a film.
Secondly, his is a glamorous version of the American immigrant dream, arriving as a mere Austrian bodybuilder before finding fame, fortune and a Kennedy-clan wife.
It should be remembered that Hollywood has always been intimately bound to its local politics, not only by providing governor - later President - Ronald Reagan. The film industry didn't grow as it has without political favour and protection and movie stars have been campaigning both for and against Mr. Schwarzenegger whose sheer level of fame has dominated the ballot.
Media coverage has been notable for its use of the language of Hollywood - "Will Conan the Republican Terminate the Governor who's facing Total Recall?" Politics and Hollywood - as the film title says, its all "True Lies."
LAWRENCE POLLARD, BBC
Listen to the words
Mr. Universe
the winner of an annual competition for male bodybuilders (a bodybuilder is someone who likes to develop their muscles
candidacy
the fact of being nominated for election
strong public image
if you have a strong public image, this means that many people know you and they have a good opinion of you
catchphrases
sentences or phrases often connected with one particular person
glamorous version
an attractive or exciting account of an event
Kennedy-clan
a clan is a group of people (sometimes family, as in this case) closely connected with each other by similar aims or interests
intimately bound
closely connected
political favour
if you have political favour, you are given advantages or support by people in Government which other people don’t get
sheer level of fame
huge popularity alone
terminate
bring to an end
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