“But I Also Idolized..”: Arnold Schwarzenegger Once Revealed 3-time Reg Park Wasn’t His Only ‘Idol’ Growing Up

Arnold Schwarzenegger is a true legend, not only on the screen but also in life. The Austrian Oak has done it all – from being a champion bodybuilder to a massively successful Hollywood star, to the former Governor of California. There are arguably few people who can match up to the amount of success that Schwarzenegger can boast. So, when he revealed how a pro-wrestler inspired him to get up and become something, it is sure just how much of an impact professional wrestling has.

During his Hall of Fame induction speech at the WWE Hall of Fame 2015 event at the SAP Centre in San Jose, the one-and-only Terminator shared with his fans the story of Otto Wanz. Otto Wanz, an Austrian pro-wrestler, and boxer who won the world championship five times and has the longest reign of any champion in Europe.

How was Arnold Schwarzenegger inspired by Otto Wanz?

Speaking at the SAP Center, Schwarzenegger said, “I have been always very passionate about and loved professional wrestling. As a little kid, I remember there was a guy by the name of Otto Wanz, in Austria, who was the great champion. My father would take me to the wrestling matches, and this was the time when I started really falling in love with the idea of having a muscular body, and being big and strong.”

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Schwarzenegger also talked about just how big an inspiration Wanz was by comparing him to another well-known inspiration of his, Reg Parks. “So, even though that you’ve heard that I idolized Reg Park, the three-time Mr. Universe, who played Hercules and so, but I also idolized professional wrestlers. I just want you to know, that I loved that this guy, Otto Wanz, really inspired me, and was one of the inspirations for why I got into weightlifting, into bodybuilding, into powerlifting,” said a nostalgic Schwarzenegger.

Schwarzenegger has won at everything

By putting in around five, six hours a day at the gym, Schwarzenegger put everything on the line for his goal – to become a champion bodybuilder and get to America. Sure enough, Schwarzenegger would turn 20 and become the youngest European Champion bodybuilder and would continue to dominate the bodybuilding industry for the following 15 years.

He gained notoriety in Hollywood before he turned 30 after winning the Golden Globe for ‘Best New Male Star of the Year’. And only a few years later, Schwarzenegger became hugely popular in the business after landing the role of Conan the Barbarian, and from that moment on, the Austrian Oak was a worldwide sensation.

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After enjoying decades of success on the big screen, Schwarzenegger decided to enter politics, and was rewarded with success yet again when he became the 38th Governor of California. It is great to see what he has achieved with his hard work, and fans can find joy in the fact that professional wrestling can have such a great impact on someone.