In a recent interview, iconic actor Arnold Schwarzenegger made controversial remarks regarding the concept of an afterlife, stating that he believes Heaven is a “fantasy” and that people will not see each other again once they have passed away.
Schwarzenegger divulged that he has given Heaven a new definition after losing “15 friends in the last 20 or so years.” The actor’s soon-to-be-released documentary also sheds light on past controversies he’s been embroiled in and the triumphs he has recorded.
Read on for more details.
‘We Will Never See Each Other Again Like That’
Schwarzenegger, known for his iconic roles in movies such as “Terminator” and “Predator,” shared his views on the afterlife during an in-depth conversation with Interview Magazine. According to People, when fellow actor Danny Devito asked, “What’s in the future for us,” the 75-year-old movie star responded with a surprising perspective.
“It reminds me of Howard Stern’s question to me. ‘Tell me, governor, what happens to us when we die?’ I said, ‘Nothing. You’re 6 feet under. Anyone that tells you something else is a f***ing liar,'” he said.
Schwarzenegger added, “I said, ‘We don’t know what happens with the soul and all this spiritual stuff that I’m not an expert in, but I know that the body as we see each other now, we will never see each other again like that.'”
The actor, who has been open about his Catholic upbringing, explained that death is a topic he’s uncomfortable with and Heaven, in his mind, is a “fantasy.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger Isn’t Comfortable With ‘Death’
Personal experiences and losing close friends have shaped Schwarzenegger’s views on Heaven. The actor revealed that he had lost 15 friends over 20 years, a factor that significantly influenced his perspective.
“When people talk about, ‘I will see them again in heaven,’ it sounds so good, but the reality is that we won’t see each other again after we’re gone. That’s the sad part. I know people feel comfortable with death, but I don’t,'” he said.
According to the “Commando” actor, Heaven is not a destination in the afterlife but a place we create within ourselves to keep the memories and legacies of those we have lost alive.
“To me, heaven is where I put a person who I love dearly, who is kind, who is generous, who made a difference in my life and other people’s lives,” he added. “I keep them in a spot in my head, like that front row you have of all your friends. And you always have a good feeling when you think of them.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger Addresses Past Groping Allegations
Schwarzenegger addressed the past allegations of groping that have been leveled against him, stating that there are no excuses for his actions. The actor seemingly made these remarks in his new three-part docuseries, “Arnold,” which is set to debut on Netflix on Wednesday, June 7th.
The “Kindergarten Cop” actor notably faced accusations of inappropriate behavior in the days leading up to his 2003 swearing-in as governor.
While reflecting on his actions, Schwarzenegger admitted, “In the beginning, I was defensive,” but “today I can look at it and say it doesn’t matter what time it is if it’s the Muscle Beach days of 40 years ago or today, this was wrong. It was bulls**t. Forget all the excuses; it was wrong.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger Recounts ‘Violent’ Childhood
Schwarzenegger also opened up about his turbulent childhood in his new documentary, “Arnold,” and the tragic loss of his brother in a drunk driving accident, per People. The candid conversation shed light on the challenges he faced growing up and the impact those experiences had on his life.
The actor revealed that his childhood in Austria was marked by violence and instability. He recounted instances of domestic abuse, sharing the struggles he and his family endured.
Schwarzenegger discussed how his difficult upbringing influenced his drive to escape his circumstances and achieve success. He found solace and motivation in bodybuilding, eventually leading him to Hollywood and a storied career in the entertainment industry.
However, tragedy struck when his brother, Meinhard, died in a drunk driving accident in 1971. While remembering his late brother, Schwarzenegger called him “the darling of the family,” but he didn’t think he was happy because of their abusive upbringing.
“I don’t think my brother was ever happy. I think he started drinking because our upbringing was very tough. The brutality that was at home, the beatings that we got from our parents sometimes, all of this he could not sustain. He was much more delicate of a person by nature,” the actor shared.
