“I Have Money”: Arnold Schwarzenegger Left James Cameron and the Producers of the Terminator “Embarrassed” During Their First Meeting

By 1980, Arnold Schwarzenegger had won seven Mr. Olympia titles and five Mr. Universe titles. The bodybuilding champion wanted to embark on his acting career. While he had already won a Golden Globe for Stay Hungry (1976) in 1977, Schwarzenegger’s first lead role came with Conan the Barbarian in 1982. The movie became his breakthrough role, and the ‘Austrian Oak’ wanted to go from “from muscles to mainstream action movies.” Like Schwarzenegger, the then-rookie filmmaker James Cameron wanted to make a name for himself.

 Cameron wanted to make a radical and revolutionary sci-fi action film. When producer Mike Medavoy got wind of Cameron’s plan, he arranged for Arnie to have lunch and discuss the movie with James Cameron, John Daly, and Gale Ann Hurd. However, during their meeting, an embarrassing mishap occurred.

Arnold Schwarzenegger saves the day

In his biography, former Mr. Olympia wrote about meeting director James Cameron and the two producers, John Daly and Gale Ann Hurd, to discuss his role in The Terminator. Arnie had read the script before meeting the three men and thought, “It was really well written, exciting, and action packed.” However, he found the story a bit strange.

While Austrain wanted to play the lead role, the character of the “robot encased in human flesh,” fascinated him. Although he had some doubts, James Cameron inspired confidence in Schwarzenegger. Cameron, who lived in Venice, seemed like an artist to the champion bodybuilder. He seemed “much more real” to Schwarzenegger than the people of Hollywood Hills.

During their discussion, Cameron convinced Schwarzenegger to consider playing the Terminator. Schwarzenegger promised the filmmaker he would “think about it,” and they prepared to leave. “By now the check for lunch had arrived. In Hollywood the actor never pays,” revealed the bodybuilding champion. However, the three men found themselves in a tight spot.

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“John Daly couldn’t find his wallet,” while Hurd and Cameron discovered they didn’t bring money. Their frantic search for cash seemed “like a comedy routine,” to Arnie. “I have money,” said the former Mr. Universe. “So I paid, and they were very embarrassed,” wrote Arnie in Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story.

A lesson learned the hard way

Arnold Schwarzenegger revealed he “never left the house without $1,000 in cash and a no-limit credit card.” After spending his childhood grappling with poverty, the Austrian worked hard to become financially successful. Arnie disliked asking for hand out and loans. However, he once had no choice but to accept a handout.

The first time the actor met Maria Shriver, she had to pay $60 for his airfare because he didn’t have money with him. “Having to ask a twenty-one-year-old girl to lend me money sent my temperature up about a hundred degrees from embarrassment,” revealed Schwarzenegger. He learned his lesson the hard way and made sure it would never happen again.

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