He has produced body building competitions in Columbus, Ohio for two decades and began the Annual Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic there in 1989. Continuous growth and popularity of the Schwarzenegger Classic led to the addition of a Fitness EXPO in 1993, the Ms. Fitness � World competition in 1994 and the Arnold Martial Arts Festival in 1996.

During President George Bush's administration he served as Chairman of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, and is the author of numerous books on health and fitness. Schwarzenegger now chairs the Governor's Council of Physical Fitness in the state of California. Since 1979, he has served as the International Weight Training Coach for the Special Olympics. Beginning in 1991 he became involved in the Executive Commission of the Los Angeles Inner-City Games, a mini Olympics designed to help kids say "no" to drugs and violence and "yes" to fitness as a way of life. He sees athletics as a positive alternative to drugs for urban youth, a way to build self esteem, a way to learn goal setting and build camaraderie in a clean lifestyle. Schwarzenegger is now chairman of the Inner-City Games Foundation, a program that has expanded to 10 cities and is continuing to grow. In 1991 he received the Simon Wiesenthal Center's National Leadership Award for his support of the organization's Holocaust studies.

His blockbuster films include "The Terminator," "Terminator 2:Judgment Day," "Twins," "Total Recall" and "True Lies." Earlier films "Conan the Barbarian," and its sequel "Conan the Destroyer" earned him a devoted following. He is noted for his action adventure films as well as solid performances as a comic actor. In 1993 the National Association of Theater Owners named him "International Star of the Decade." His latest film, "Eraser," will be released in June.

During his early childhood in Graz, Austria, Schwarzenegger was encouraged by his father to become involved in athletics. At age 15 he discovered weight-lifting which led to the title of Mr. Universe at age 20, followed by an unprecedented 13 world body building titles. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1983.

A patron of the arts, he is a respected art collector. Schwarzenegger resides in Los Angeles with his wife, broadcast journalist Maria Shriver, and their three children, Katherine, Christina and Patrick.

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