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40 Photos From the Early Days of Arnold Schwarzenegger's Career

1965: A Young Body Builder Even at the age of 18, Arnold Schwarzenegger was tremendously strong. While in the military, he began competing in body building tournaments and won the Junior Mr. Europe contest. Here, at the start of his career, he can lift a woman off the ground. Getty Images - Getty Images

1966: Bulking Up In just one year, Schwarzenegger almost tripled the size of his muscles as he struck a pose on a hillside, presumably in his native Austria. Getty Images - Getty Images

1966: Becoming a Winner After his year in the military, Arnold began competing in body building tournaments around Austria. He won a title in Graz, Austria where he was voted the best body in Austria. Building on that success, Arnold traveled to London for the Mr. Universe championship. He placed second to competitor, Chester Yorton. Michael Ochs Archives - Getty Images

1967: Winning Mr. Universe Arnold entered the Mr. Universe competition the following year and this time left a champion. At the age of 20, he was the youngest body builder to win the competition in history. Pictorial Parade - Getty Images

1967: Competing Around Europe The champion body builder continued on the European circuit for a few years. Here he is competing in a stone throwing competition, which he won, in Munich, Germany. Michael Ochs Archives - Getty Images

1967: A Rising Star Within the body building community, Arnold Schwarzenegger was at the top of his field and one of it's most promising stars. Michael Ochs Archives - Getty Images

1967: Enjoying Success Although Arnold Schwarzenegger never missed a workout, that doesn't mean didn't enjoy his newfound success. Here the young body builder is photographed enjoying a beer at Oktoberfest in Munich. Michael Ochs Archives - Getty Images

1967: An Occupational Hazard Arnold was injured from an accident that occurred during a competition in 1967. Here he is photographed while recovering in the hospital. Getty Images - Getty Images

1968: Welcome to Muscle Beach The Austrian body builder found himself in Venice Beachor Muscle Beach, as it was known in California. After years of dreaming to come to America, he began training at Gold's Gym under trainer Joe Weider. Getty Images - Getty Images

1969: His First Role By 1969, Arnold had two Mr. Universe titles under his belt and was making a name for himself outside of the body building community. That year he made his feature film debut in Hercules In New York. Getty Images - Getty Images

1970: Winning in America In 1970, Arnold won his first Mr. Olympia title in New York of which he ended up winning a total of seven times. Pictorial Parade - Getty Images

1976: A Big Movie Arnold jokes around in the gym with his co-star, Sally Field, for his second film, Stay Hungry. The film brought in more than $24 million at the box office. Getty Images - Getty Images

1976: "Stay Hungry" In his first serious role, Arnold Schwarzenegger played weightlifter, Joe Santo who becomes involved with the gym employee (Sally Fields). Archive Photos - Getty Images

1976: Keeping Fit Arnold makes sure to keep his muscles in tip top shape. The body builder poses in a shoot in 1976. Getty Images - Getty Images

1977: A Golden Globe Win The body builder turned actor reached the pinnacle of success when he scored a Golden Globe in 1977 for Best New Actor for his role in Stay Hungry. Getty Images - Getty Images

1977: Always Up for a Lift The actor playfully lifts iconic actress Raquel Welch at a Golden Globe after-party. Fotos International - Getty Images

1977: Looking Dapper In 1977, Arnold overhauled his wardrobe look who found a shirt and posed while in New York City. Getty Images - Getty Images

1977: "Pumping Iron" The newly famed actor lifts weights at Muscle Beach for a crowd on looking crowd. Getty Images - Getty Images

1977: A Second Film Arnold Schwarzenegger traveled to the 38th annual Cannes film festival in 1977 to promote his new documentary Pumping Iron. Getty Images - Getty Images

1977: Based on True Events Schwarzenegger's "docu-drama" depicts the life of young body builders and the intense competition circuit and follows Schwarzenegger himself, Lou Ferrigno, and others. Getty Images - Getty Images

1977: California Living An Austrian-born Schwarzenegger had always dreamed of someday moving to America and making it big. Here, the star is pictured spending the day relaxing on Venice Beach in 1977 looks like he achieved his goal. Getty Images - Getty Images

1977: Opening Night Schwarzenegger was escorted to the premiere of Pumping Iron by his mother, Aurelia in 1977. Getty Images - Getty Images

1977: Showing off the Pipes Arnold shows off his (now famous) biceps to a group of IDF soldiers in Israel. Michael Ochs Archives - Getty Images

1978: Keeping in Shape When lifting weights just isn't enough, sometimes you have to mix in some cardio. Arnold was photographed going for a "light" mountain jog in 1978. Michael Ochs Archives - Getty Images

1978: Still Flexing In 1978, the body builder began taking credits at the University of Southern California and Santa Monica College proving that he was much more than just a body. Getty Images - Getty Images

1978: Michael Ochs Archives - Getty Images

1978: Barbara Alper - Getty Images

1979: With then-girlfriend Maria Shriver, 1979. Getty Images - Getty Images

1980: At the Frank Zane Invitational in 1980. Getty Images - Getty Images

1980: Anwar Hussein - Getty Images

1981: Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1981 film Raw Deal. Getty Images - Getty Images

1982: On his Harley Davidson in 1982. Getty Images - Getty Images

1982: Paul Harris - Getty Images

1984: A still from the 1984 classic The Terminator. Getty Images - Getty Images

1984: Arnold and British actress Sarah Douglas in 1984's Conan the Destroyer. Getty Images - Getty Images

1990: With Dr. Ruth in 1990 at the Great American Workout. Getty Images - Getty Images

1990: On the set of Conan the Barbarian in 1990. Getty Images - Getty Images

1990: On the set of Predator in 1990. Getty Images - Getty Images

1999: With co-star Kevin Pollack in the 1999 film End of Days. Getty Images - Getty Images

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