Today, while doing our journalistic duties, we happened upon a Vanity Fair Proust Questionnaire from 2003 conducted with then-gubernatorial candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger.
There, among the series of personality questions like “What is your greatest fear?” and “What is your idea of perfect happiness?”, we discovered other little gems:
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Spending time with my family—with no phone, no fax, and no meetings.
What is your greatest fear?
I am petrified of bikini waxing. I had a very bad experience in 1978.
Which living person do you most admire?
My mother-in-law, Eunice Shriver, who founded the Special Olympics, and my father-in-law, Sargent Shriver, who founded Job Corps and was the first director of the Peace Corps.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
People who speak with heavy American accents. I can barely understand them. No, seriously, dishonesty.
What is your greatest extravagance?
I am a major shoe queen.
What do you dislike most about your appearance?
Let’s just say Milton Berle had the same exact problem. I tell you, it’s a curse.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
“Maria, I said I’m sorry” and “Yes, dear.”
What is your greatest regret?
My only regret is when an actor wins an Oscar for a role I turned down. Although I still say I wasn’t right for Forrest Gump.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My wife and my four children, who have all my love and come first, above everything else.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I have a great family, great friends, and a fantastic career. But I’m also really proud of the work I do for kids—like the Special Olympics, promoting health and fitness for youngsters, and working on afterschool programs, such as the Inner City Games and Arnold’s All-Stars.
If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be?
What do you mean, “if”? I’ll be back—in Terminator 3 on July 2.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Did you read the reviews for Last Action Hero?
What do you most value in your friends?
I think I value the same things everyone does—loyalty, a sense of humor, the ability to make campaign contributions.
Who are your heroes in real life?
Teachers and principals, who are underpaid but devote their lives to making sure our kids get a good education. It’s the best defense against gangs, violence, and drug use by kids—and the best chance to ensure their future.
Who are your favorite writers?
My favorite fiction writers are studio accountants.
How would you like to die?
From a heart attack at the Kodak Theatre when they announce I won best actor for Terminator 3.
What is your motto?
“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again. Then use a stunt double.”
