Arnold Schwarzenegger in Malibu, California, 1988, photographed for Vanity Fair by Annie Leibovitz
The portraits of Arnold Schwarzenegger by Annie Leibowitz represent a long collaboration. The two first worked together in 1975, when Arnold was competing in the Mr. Olympia body-bulding contest in South Africa. Arnold was 28 then and had already won the contest five times. It was this Mr. Olympia competition that formed the basis for the film “Pumping Iron” that introduced Arnold to the world.
In her memoir*, Leibovitz recalls a photo session that took place in Arnold’s hotel room during the Mr. Olympia competition.
“Arnold was walking around naked that morning. Like most models or athletes who love their bodies, Arnold didn’t mind being naked….”
Arnold had big dreams for himself. Leibovitz heard Arnold say to the “Pumping Iron” filmmakers:
“‘I got the feeling that I was meant to be more than just an average guy running around, that I was chosen to do something special. I was always dreaming about very powerful people, dictators and things like that. Or some savior, like Jesus.’
Ten years later he was the Terminator. I shot him for the Vanity Fair Hall of Fame in 1988 [image shown here]. We were shooting on the beach and he said he had a horse, and I said well, bring it along, not thinking much about it. I couldn’t believe it when the horse showed up. It looked like Arnold. Arnold’s thigh in those white pants looks like the horse’s thigh.”
*Leibovitz, Annie. Annie Leibovitz at Work. New York: Random House, Inc., 2008.
Lisa's History Room 
Almost 30 years ago I had a second job waitressing in Santa Monica. Arnold was a regular and while not yet as overwhelmingly famous as he would be in a few years (After Conan before Terminator), was well known around town. The qualities that took him to fame were already there: Friendly, intelligent, thoughtful of others, confident without being arrogant. To this day, I remember him as a genuinely nice person. It is a shame that California is a virtually ungovernable state.
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Hi, Jamie, I read your comment with awe. I would love to see Arnold in person. He is bigger than life, isn’t he. By the way, I waitressed all the way through both my college years and 7 years of teaching elementary school. Single life was very expensive. If Arnold was friendly to the waitstaff, he’s thumbs up with me. I waited on several local dignitaries – mayors, city councilmen, preachers – and remember many being demanding and cheap with me. Thanks for visiting Lisa’s History Room and keep coming back.
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Does anyone know where this photo along with other Annie Leibovitz’s photography can be bought?
I’ve been searching the past few days but have had no luck.
Thanks
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I would check Getty prints or search for an official Annie Leib. site.
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Arnold on a draft horse, with no shirt, looking as the absolute male beauty he always has been, cigar in mouth with white riding pants…
Wow!
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Double wow!
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Love Arnie and the horse is stunning too, ‘but’ it’s a shame that the bit is for a double bridle 😦 x
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Really? lol
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