• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content

Home> Entertainment> Netflix

Published 14:23 30 Jul 2023 GMT+1

Arnold Schwarzenegger opens up on abusive childhood and ‘strange violence’ he witnessed

The Terminator star has opened up about his early life experiences

Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle

Arnold Schwarzenegger has opened up about his abusive childhood and the 'strange violence' he witnessed.

The Austrian-born movie star delved into lesser-known parts of his life in Arnold, the new three-part limited Netflix docuseries about the life of Schwarzenegger.

Acting as the orator of his own story, the Pumping Iron icon has provided audiences with a rarely touched-upon insight into three key chapters of his life: Arnold as an athlete, Arnold as an actor and Arnold as an American.

Advert

In the first episode of the doc, titled 'Athlete', the series focuses on Schwarzenegger’s upbringing in post-war Austria.

He talks about his family life as well as his introduction into the world of competitive bodybuilding, reflecting on what he describes as a 'lifelong talent for clearly seeing the path in front of him'.

Arnold Schwarzenegger has opened up about the 'violence' of his childhood in the new Netflix docuseries.
Netflix

"In other words," Netflix explains, "his childhood laid the foundation for what it would take for Arnold to become the international celebrity he is today.

In the episode, Schwarzenegger says: "The idea was to sculpt the body to your will. But it can also be used to shape your mind — to do the things that everyone calls impossible.

Advert

"I had a fire in the belly for much, much more."

He also discusses the 'more difficult parts' of his childhood namely his father’s role as 'disciplinarian' and his role in encouraging the competitive relationship Schwarzenegger had with his brother.

"There was a kind of schizophrenic behaviour that my brother and I witnessed at home," Schwarzenegger recalls. "There was the kind father, and other times when my father would come home drunk at three in the morning and he would be screaming.

"We would wake up and, all of a sudden our hearts were pounding because we knew that meant he could, at any given time, strike my mother or go crazy. So there was the kind of strange violence."

The actor discussed the 'brutality' of his childhood.
Netflix

Advert

Just when Schwarzenegger was climbing the ranks to reach Mr. Universe stardom, his brother tragically died in a drunk driving incident - something which he blames their upbringing on.

In the episode, Schwarzenegger claimed his brother 'started drinking because our upbringing was very tough'.

"The brutality that was at home, the beatings that we got from our parents sometimes — all of this I think he could not sustain," the Terminator star went on.

"He was much more delicate of a person by nature."

Arnold is currently available to stream on Netflix.

Advert

If you've been affected by any of the issues in this story, you can speak in confidence about where to get help from Mind free on 0300 123 3393, 9am–6pm Monday to Friday

Featured Image Credit: Netflix / Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Topics: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Celebrity, Documentaries, Netflix, Mental Health

Rhiannon Ingle
Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle is a Senior Journalist at Tyla, specialising in TV, film, travel, and culture. A graduate of the University of Manchester with a degree in English Literature, she honed her editorial skills as the Lifestyle Editor of The Mancunian, the UK’s largest student newspaper. With a keen eye for storytelling, Rhiannon brings fresh perspectives to her writing, blending critical insight with an engaging style. Her work captures the intersection of entertainment and real-world experiences.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

Just now
an hour ago
2 hours ago
4 hours ago
  • Just now

    Truth behind 28 Years Later full-frontal scenes explained as footage is blurred around the world

    28 Years Later features multiple fully frontal nude scenes of infected

    Entertainment
  • an hour ago

    Man took his £7 million car collection to WeBuyAnyCar to see what they would offer and it went horribly wrong

    He had a bit of a nightmare

    Entertainment
  • 2 hours ago

    28 Years Later director reveals why movie had controversial Jimmy Savile ending that has split fans

    28 Years Later's ending has left fans completely split

    Entertainment
  • 4 hours ago

    BBC news anchor thanks people for support after she refused to use television prompt during live broadcast

    Martine Croxall deviated from the pre-prepared dialogue on the teleprompter during the live segment

    Entertainment
  • How Arnold Schwarzenegger became a billionaire through ‘incredible investments’ and key advice from Warren Buffet
  • Arnold Schwarzenegger stuns US chat show hosts with controversial four-word message to immigrants
  • Chris Pratt blames Arnold Schwarzenegger for a reoccurring health problem
  • Sam Thompson opens up about his autism diagnosis two years after sharing he had ADHD