The former professional bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger, renowned for his bulging muscles and iconic physique, has seamlessly transitioned into becoming a prominent figure in Hollywood. Fans have eagerly followed the journey of the Austrian Oak as he graced the silver screen in numerous high-profile action movies.
Interestingly, Schwarzenegger’s path intersected with that of Jesse Ventura, a retired professional wrestler turned actor, on several occasions.
As the two formidable personalities shared the screen in notable productions, an amusing anecdote unfolded, forever etched in the annals of Hollywood lore. A humorous anecdote involving the two emerged, where a silly bet led to Schwarzenegger engaging in psychological warfare on his Predator co-star by exaggerating his arm size.
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Playful Prank with Jesse Ventura
During the filming of the iconic movie Predator in 1987, Arnold Schwarzenegger showcased his charismatic wit by cleverly playing a prank on his co-star Jesse Ventura. Both Schwarzenegger and Ventura were renowned for their impressive physiques, which added an extra layer of competitiveness to their interactions.
Their camaraderie blossomed during their shared time in the gym, where they dedicated long hours to perfecting their bodies for their roles. Schwarzenegger, known for his playful nature, seized an opportunity to create a humorous behind-the-scenes moment by orchestrating a practical joke aimed at Ventura.
Jesse Ventura mentioned (via Youtube),
“The biggest thrill for me was when we hit wardrobe and I happened to view Arnold’s wardrobe tape, and when my arms taped out one inch bigger than Mr. Olympia’s, that made Jesse Ventura feel pretty good.”
Aware of Ventura’s pride in his physique, Schwarzenegger instructed the wardrobe department to inform Ventura that his arm measurement surpassed Schwarzenegger’s by an inch. This seemingly harmless deception was intended solely to win a lighthearted bet against Ventura.
Arnold Schwarzenegger told,
“Well, I’m pretty happy about that because then my joke rocked. Because I told the wardrobe department to tell him that, so I can bet him a bottle of champagne after he comes to the gym.”
The prank, although seemingly trivial, had an unexpected impact on Ventura’s psyche, highlighting the competitive spirit and camaraderie that characterized their time on set. Schwarzenegger’s quick thinking and mischievous sense of humor added an entertaining dimension to their off-screen interactions, further cementing their legendary status in Hollywood lore.
Jesse Ventura lost a bet to Arnold Schwarzenegger
Jesse Ventura found himself unwittingly caught in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s clever ruse, falsely led to believe that his arm size surpassed that of the Austrian Oak’s. This deception initially inflated Ventura’s ego, fueling a brief moment of pride.
Unbeknownst to him, Schwarzenegger had orchestrated a trap, setting the stage for a humorous twist in their friendly competition.
As Ventura approached Schwarzenegger to compare their arm sizes, eager to flaunt his supposed one-inch advantage, he soon realized he had fallen victim to Schwarzenegger’s playful trickery. In a surprising turn of events, Ventura not only lost the pride associated with his arm size but also a silly bet wagered against Schwarzenegger, the prize being a bottle of champagne.
Arnold Schwarzenegger told,
“He came to the gym two days later and says, “You know something, Arnold, we should measure our arms. Who has bigger arms?” I said, of course, we should. Let’s bet a bottle of champagne. He said, of course, we should. And then we measured and my arm was three inches bigger than his. He lost the champagne bet. You know the psycho tricks, they work on everybody, bodybuilder, and wrestlers.”
Ultimately it was revealed that Schwarzenegger’s arm was three inches larger than Ventura’s, resulting in Ventura losing both his pride over his arm size and the bet itself. Despite being duped, the camaraderie between Schwarzenegger and Ventura remained intact, underscoring their good relationship on and off the screen.
Predator stands out not only as a film featuring two political figures in lead roles but also as a pinnacle of both actors’ careers. It has since become essential viewing for Hollywood aficionados and action enthusiasts alike, solidifying its status as a classic in the genre.
