Before becoming a Hollywood icon, Arnold Schwarzenegger's acting debut was far from glamorous. At 22, he found himself in Central Park, grappling with a man in a bear costume for the low-budget film 'Hercules in New York'. The future star must have wondered if this was what moviemaking was all about.
Schwarzenegger, fresh from Austria and with no prior acting experience, landed the role of Hercules through sheer determination. He had established himself as a successful bodybuilder and businessman in Los Angeles. His agent exaggerated his stage experience, referring to bodybuilding competitions rather than theatrical performances.
'Hercules in New York' is a bizarre film where Hercules is banished to Earth and becomes a wrestler. He befriends a pretzel seller and angers his father, Zeus. The movie culminates in a memorable, albeit awkward, fight scene with a man in a bear suit.
The film was plagued with issues, including Schwarzenegger's accent being dubbed over. He was credited as Arnold Strong, 'Mr Universe'. Despite its flaws, the bear scene remains the most memorable aspect of the movie.
Schwarzenegger has a complicated relationship with the film. He described the bear costume as cheap and ludicrous. However, he also shared the experience with his children, watching the infamous scene with them.