When you think of Arnold Schwarzenegger, what comes to mind? Choppers? Muscles? Big guns? An Austrian accent saying one of the most well-known lines in action-film Hollywood history? We guessed right, then. What might not come to mind so quickly is comedy, so it might take you a second for this following fact to sink in: Arnold’s biggest paycheck was for a comedy movie. Yep, that’s right. Not Terminator, not Running Man, nor Predator, or even Commando. Arnold peaked financially in 1988, when this action star starred in a comedy, Twins, and earned himself the biggest paycheck of his career.

Action Star AND Comedic Genius?

It’s fair to say that Arnold’s muscles, carefully curated through a bodybuilding career, brought him his first taste of fame when he starred in Conan the Barbarian movies. However, Arnold planned on going all the way, baby – he’d be damned if he was going to be typecast as an action star.

While most muscular leading men would be content having the world know them for their strength and action-packed antics, Arnold believed that going beyond this genre would give him a competitive edge, so he jumped at the chance to star in Twins.

The movie, directed by Ivan Reitman (Ghostbusters), is about twin brothers Julius and Vincent, played by Danny DeVito and the Terminator himself. They are separated at birth as part of a secret experiment conducted by scientists. They reconnect as adults and spend the rest of the movie working on their sibling bond.

Arnold’s Decision Was Risky But Strategic

At the time, the concept of an action star like Arnold starring in a comedy was considered risky. Both Arnold and DeVito were seen as “expensive guys” in Hollywood, demanding a big paycheck in whatever role they took on.

To get in the door, Arnold compromised by forgoing an upfront salary for profit participation. This meant that instead of receiving a set salary, he would ultimately receive a percentage of the profits once the film was released.

This showed that Arnold was confident in the project, allowing the producers to be more lenient with their budget. Ultimately, Arnold received 20% of the movie’s profits, a pay structure almost unheard of in Hollywood at the time.

Box Office Smash Hit

While few were confident Twins would succeed, it proved everyone wrong, smashing the box office with $111 million in the US and $104 million worldwide. The movie boosted Arnold’s fame and put him on the map as an actor who could act in both action and comedy. Its success opened up new doors for Arnold in the comedy world, and he went on to star in films like Kindergarten Cop.

The movie wasn’t just popular at the box office – people loved it at home, with record DVD sales. Additional earnings meant that Arnold made even more money after the fact. From post-box office sales alone, Arnold earned $35 million, so it’s no surprise that he has repeatedly said that choosing to star in Twins is one of the best decisions ever made.

How Twins Impacted Hollywood’s Pay Structure

Twin’s success not only put Arnold on the comedy map but also impacted the financial side. Actors started to demand a cut of the film’s profits, not just an upfront salary.

Twins also significantly impacted Arnold’s acting career. In addition to Kindergarten Cop, he went on to star in films like True Lies and Last Action Hero. These movies and the Terminator series made him one of Hollywood’s most popular stars.

Thanks to his immensely successful acting career, Arnold’s wealth has continued to grow. He has not only earned much of his fortune from acting but has also profited from real estate investments. Additionally, his brief term as governor of California in the mid-2000s further enhanced his fame and wealth. His current net worth is estimated to be around $450 million.

What’s Ahead for Arnold

In true Hollywood style, rumors have circulated about the possibility of a sequel to Twins, which could be called Triplets. It would star DeVito and Arnold in their respective roles, with Eddie Murphy joining the team as a potential new brother.

There’s nothing concrete yet about the film’s schedule or release, but fans are excited about seeing Julius and Vincent back together. Arnold’s meteoric rise from a tiny Austrian village to rubbing shoulders with Hollywood’s elite reflects Arnold’s insatiable drive to succeed. This actor, governor, and millionaire is so much more than the Terminator, and his foray into comedy proves that if you can dream it, you can do it.

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