When Arnold Schwarzenegger Wanted Out of Hollywood – The Personal and Political Reasons Behind His Career Pause

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s larger-than-life career has spanned bodybuilding, blockbuster movies, and even politics. Yet there were moments when he seriously stepped away from acting—particularly in 2003 and 2011—prompting questions about whether he ever truly wanted to quit Hollywood for good.

Schwarzenegger’s first major transition came in 2003, when he announced his surprise candidacy for Governor of California. Appearing on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, he declared his intent to replace Gray Davis, saying, “The man who has failed the people more than anyone is Gray Davis.” His decision to run marked a dramatic shift from action hero to political leader. As reported by outlets like The Washington Post and BBC News, Schwarzenegger openly acknowledged that he was putting his movie career on hold to focus on public service. Although he never used the words “I want to quit acting,” his actions made it clear: at that time, he was ready to walk away from Hollywood to prioritize a new chapter in politics.

After two successful terms as governor, Schwarzenegger planned to return to acting. However, in 2011, personal scandals—including the revelation of an affair and secret child—caused him to halt all film projects. Publications like The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that he suspended his comeback in light of the turmoil. Yet this pause was temporary. By 2012, Schwarzenegger was back on screen in The Expendables 2, followed by starring roles in The Last Stand and Escape Plan.

Importantly, even during the toughest times of his early career—when agents said his name was too long, his accent too thick, and his physique too strange—Schwarzenegger never seriously considered quitting. His resilience paid off with breakout roles like Conan the Barbarian and The Terminator. And today, well into his seventies, Schwarzenegger shows no signs of stopping, starring in projects like Netflix’s FUBAR and telling The Hollywood Reporter in 2023, “There’s no retiring. I’m still on this side of the grass, so I’m happy.”

In short, while Arnold Schwarzenegger stepped away from acting at key moments in 2003 and 2011, it was never about giving up—it was about taking control of his life’s many different acts. And Hollywood, it seems, was always ready to welcome him back.