Arnold Schwarzenegger Reflects on His Coach's Efforts to Alter His Distinctive Accent
Arnold Schwarzenegger's iconic accent has become one of his greatest strengths, showcasing his unique charm and charisma
Article Overview
Arnold Schwarzenegger reveals that he worked with numerous speech coaches early on in his career, including one to remove his accent.
The coaching clearly did not work as planned, and Schwarzenegger remarked that his accent turned out to be advantageous.
The combination of Schwarzenegger's Austrian accent and his impressive physique played a crucial role in positioning him as a distinct type of action star. Ultimately, this distinguished him from other actors in Hollywood and significantly boosted his career.
Arnold Schwarzenegger reminisces about collaborating with a coach to diminish his distinct Austrian accent. Emerging onto the Hollywood scene in the 1980s, Schwarzenegger has become a synonymous figure with action films. Renowned for his unmistakable accent, the actor is most recognized for his roles in blockbuster movies such as Conan the Barbarian, The Terminator, Commando, Predator, and Total Recall, among numerous others.
In a recent appearance on The Graham Norton Show, Schwarzenegger discloses that during the early stages of his career, he sought guidance from multiple speech coaches, including one who endeavored to eradicate any traces of his accent.
The actor shares his experience of working with the coach, discussing the various lessons and speech drills he engaged in. He recounts how Hollywood producers initially believed that his accent would pose a disadvantage to his career. Take a look at Schwarzenegger's comment below:
"I had coaches for English, acting, speech, and accent removal. Unfortunately, my accent-removal coach has passed away since then, but I should have been able to receive a refund.
"In the end, I put in the effort. I recall him telling me, 'You consistently mispronounce three. It should be pronounced with a T-H.' So he had me practice saying 'three thousand three hundred and thirty-three and one third' with the T-H sound instead of the S."
"So things like that, I found myself repeating phrases countless times — it proved to be quite beneficial, although it didn't completely eliminate my accent. However, what's amusing is that all the remarks made by Hollywood producers, directors, and other creative minds, regarding my accent being an obstacle in becoming a leading man, unexpectedly turned into an advantage."
Arnold Schwarzenegger's Accent Is One Of His Greatest Strengths
Schwarzenegger had already established himself as a bodybuilder before achieving fame in Hollywood. While his impressive physique undeniably positioned him as a potential action star, executives in the movie industry questioned whether his accent would resonate with audiences. After all, there hadn't been anyone quite like Schwarzenegger who had successfully made a mark in Hollywood before.
Conan the Barbarian marks one of Schwarzenegger's early breakthrough movies, showcasing his unmistakable accent. Surprisingly, this accent adds a unique, non-American touch to his character, which perfectly suits the role. Following this 1982 classic, Schwarzenegger starred in The Terminator in 1984, another film where his accent becomes a notable asset. His accent instantly sets him apart from other actors, accentuated by his impressive physique, establishing him as a captivating Hollywood sensation.
Moreover, Schwarzenegger's iconic lines are particularly memorable, partly owing to his accent. Examples include the famous phrases "I'll be back" and "Get to the choppa!" Since the 1980s, his accent has retained its distinctive quality, while also becoming a target for skits, spoofs, and parodies. However, the actor has fully embraced these interpretations, ultimately enhancing his star power, public persona, and legendary status.
Source: The Graham Norton Show/ YouTube
Editor's P/S
Arnold Schwarzenegger's iconic accent has become one of his greatest strengths, showcasing his unique charm and charisma. Despite early efforts to remove his accent, Schwarzenegger's accent ultimately proved to be advantageous, setting him apart from other actors in Hollywood and significantly boosting his career.
His accent instantly sets him apart from other actors, accentuated by his impressive physique, establishing him as a captivating Hollywood sensation. His accent has also become a target for skits, spoofs, and parodies, but Schwarzenegger has fully embraced these interpretations, ultimately enhancing his star power, public persona, and legendary status.
