Charlotte Chilton, Vinnie Mancuso

1965: Becoming a Bodybuilder Even at the age of 18, Schwarzenegger was tremendously strong. While in the military, he began competing in body building tournaments and won the Junior Mr. Europe contest. Here he's seen at the start of his career, lifting a woman off of the ground. Getty Images - Getty Images

1966: Bulking Up In just one year, Schwarzenegger almost tripled the size of his muscles. Here he poses on a hillside, presumably in his native Austria. Getty Images - Getty Images

1966: Becoming a Winner After his year in the military, Schwarzenegger began competing in bodybuilding tournaments around Austria. He won a title in Graz, Austria, where he was voted the best body in Austria. Building on that success, he traveled to London for the Mr. Universe championship, where he placed second to his fellow competitor, Chester Yorton. Michael Ochs Archives - Getty Images

1967: Winning Mr. Universe Schwarzenegger entered the Mr. Universe competition the following year and this time left a champion. At the age of 20, he was the youngest body builder to win the competition in history. Pictorial Parade - Getty Images

1967: Competing Around Europe The champion bodybuilder continued on the European circuit for a few years. Here he is competing in a stone throwing competition, which he won, in Munich, Germany. Michael Ochs Archives - Getty Images

1967: A Rising Star Within the bodybuilding community, Schwarzenegger was at the top of his field and one of the industry's most promising stars. Michael Ochs Archives - Getty Images

1967: Enjoying Success Although Schwarzenegger never missed a workout, that doesn't mean he didn't enjoy his newfound success. Here, the young star is photographed enjoying a beer at Oktoberfest in Munich. Michael Ochs Archives - Getty Images

1967: An Occupational Hazard Schwarzenegger was injured when an accident occurred during a competition in 1967. Here, he's photographed while recovering in the hospital. Getty Images - Getty Images

1968: Welcome to Muscle Beach The Austrian bodybuilder found himself in Venice Beachor Muscle Beach, as it was knownin California. After years of dreaming to come to America, he began training at Gold's Gym under trainer Joe Weider. Getty Images - Getty Images

1969: His First Role By 1969, Schwarzenegger had two Mr. Universe titles under his belt and was making a name for himself outside of the bodybuilding community, starting with his feature film debut in Hercules in New York. Getty Images - Getty Images

1970: Winning in America In 1970, Schwarzenegger won his first Mr. Olympia title in New Yorkhe would go on to win the event a total of seven times. Pictorial Parade - Getty Images

1976: A Big Movie Schwarzenegger jokes around in the gym with his costar, Sally Field, for his second film, Stay Hungry. The film brought in more than $24 million at the box office. Getty Images - Getty Images

1976: 'Stay Hungry' In his first serious role, Schwarzenegger played a weightlifter named Joe Santo who becomes involved with a gym employee (Sally Fields). Archive Photos - Getty Images

1976: Keeping Fit Schwarzenegger kept his muscles in tip top shape while filming. Here, the bodybuilder poses in a shoot in 1976. Getty Images - Getty Images

1977: A Golden Globe Win The bodybuilder-turned-actor reached the pinnacle of success when he scored a Golden Globe in 1977 for Best New Actor for his role in Stay Hungry. Getty Images - Getty Images

1977: Always Up for a Lift The star playfully lifts iconic actress Raquel Welch at a Golden Globe after-party. Fotos International - Getty Images

1977: Looking Dapper In 1977, Schwarzenegger overhauled his wardrobe and posed while on a trip in New York City. Getty Images - Getty Images

1977: Putting on a Show The movie star lifts weights at Muscle Beach for a crowd looking on. Getty Images - Getty Images

1977: A Second Film Schwarzenegger traveled to the 38th annual Cannes Film Festival in 1977 to promote his new documentary Pumping Iron. Getty Images - Getty Images

1977: Based on True Events Schwarzenegger's "docu-drama" depicts the life of young bodybuilders and the intense competition circuit, and follows Schwarzenegger himself, Lou Ferrigno, and others. Getty Images - Getty Images

1977: Opening Night Schwarzenegger was escorted to the premiere of Pumping Iron by his mother, Aurelia in 1977. Getty Images - Getty Images

1977: California Living Here, the star is pictured spending the day relaxing on Venice Beach in 1977. Getty Images - Getty Images

1977: Showing off the Pipes Schwarzenegger shows off his (now famous) biceps to a group of IDF soldiers in Israel. Michael Ochs Archives - Getty Images

1978: Staying in Shape When lifting weights just isn't enough, sometimes you have to mix in some cardio. Schwarzenegger was photographed going for a "light" mountain jog in 1978. Michael Ochs Archives - Getty Images

1978: Still Flexing In 1978, the bodybuilder began taking classes at the University of Southern California and Santa Monica Collegeproving that he was much more than just a body. Getty Images - Getty Images

1978: Lifting a Legend Schwarzenegger pals around with disco legend Donna Summers at a Hollywood home. By 1978, the bodybuilder had proven himself to keep up with some of the most famous crowds in Hollywood. Michael Ochs Archives - Getty Images

1978: A Published Author Schwarzenegger's first book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Arnold-Education-Bodybuilder-Schwarzenegger/dp/0671797484" id="3c921e9b-787c-3714-a7df-533a9e875329"> Arnold: The Education of a Bodybuilder </a> , was met with tremendous success. Here, he attends a book signing for fans in 1978. Barbara Alper - Getty Images

1979: Settling Down The bodybuilder looks toned as he cools off with a dip with his then-girlfriend Maria Shriver. Schwarzenegger was first linked to Shriver, who is a member of the Kennedy family, in 1977. Getty Images - Getty Images

1980: Party Tricks Schwarzenegger makes an appearance at the Frank Zane Invitational in 1980. The former competitor gave a helpful lift to female bodybuilder, Stacey Bentley. Getty Images - Getty Images

1980: A Comeback Although Schwarzenegger put the body building circuit on the back burner due to his illustrious film career, he competed once more in the Mr. Olympia competition in Sydney and earned first place. His journey to reclaim the title inspired the documentary The Comeback, of which he was the subject. Anwar Hussein - Getty Images

1981: Turning to Film By 1981, Schwarzenegger had officially retired from body building and was entirely focused on his movie career. That same year he appeared as the lead in the film Raw Deal. Getty Images - Getty Images

1982: Becoming a Movie Star Schwarzenegger rides his Harley Davidson around his Santa Monica neighborhood ahead of the release of his latest film, Conan the Barbarian. Getty Images - Getty Images

1984: A Mega Hit Although Schwarzenegger had appeared in countless films over the years, his biggest hit to date was The Terminator in 1984. Spawning massive box office success, Schwarzenegger became one of the most well-known actors of the decade. Getty Images - Getty Images

1984: Another Success Due to the success of their first film together, Schwarzenegger and British actress Sarah Douglas returned for the sequel to Conan the Barbarian in 1984's Conan the Destroyer. Getty Images - Getty Images

1986: Saying 'I Do' Arnold and Maria were married in 1986 at the Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts. After two children and 25 years of marriage, the couple split in 2011 when it was exposed that he had fathered a child with the family's long-term housekeeper. Steve Liss - Getty Images

1988: Political Ambitions The couple attends a black tie event held for Ronald Reagan in 1988. Arnold, who has spoken of his support of the Republican President in the past, later ran in the same party for the 2002 Californian Governor race. Dirck Halstead - Getty Images

1990: Giving Back Despite his monumental success, Schwarzenegger made sure to give back to the community. In 1990, he made an appearance at the Great American Workout, where he caught up with sex therapist and media personality, Dr. Ruth. Getty Images - Getty Images

1990: Continued Success Schwarzenegger filmed the sci-fi thriller, Predator, in Mexico in 1990. The movie wound up being a huge box office hit and one of the actor's most iconic films. Getty Images - Getty Images

1999: A Superstar Schwarzenegger seamlessly transitioned from his life as a bodybuilder to the star of blockbuster action films. In 1999, he made one of his most popular films, with costar Kevin Pollack, in End of Days. Getty Images - Getty Images

40 Photos From the Early Days of Arnold Schwarzenegger's Career

Politics

Local

World

News

Celebrities

Music

Movies

Entertainment

Sports 

Fashion

Beauty & Health

Relationships & Weddings

Food & Travel

Lifestyle

Domestic

International 

Business

About

Highlights

Selection Criteria

Jury

Terms And Conditions

FAQs

Pulse Influencer Awards

Courses

Careers

Explore categories

Pulse Kenya is the most followed news and entertainment platform in Kenya. It informs and engages young Kenyans around the clock and provides updates by the hour.

Charlotte Chilton, Vinnie Mancuso

Articles written by the author

40 Photos From the Early Days of Arnold Schwarzenegger's Career