Arnold Schwarzenegger, renowned for his iconic roles in action movies, has shared intriguing anecdotes from his extensive career in his new book, “Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life.” One particularly memorable incident involved Schwarzenegger having to bite a real, dead vulture multiple times during the filming of “Conan the Barbarian.”
In recalling the challenging scene where his character, Conan, is tied to a tree, Schwarzenegger revealed, “I bit a real, dead vulture that required I wash my mouth out with alcohol after each take.” The actor’s commitment to authenticity in his roles extended beyond this peculiar task.
The challenges continued during the filming of “Conan the Barbarian,” as Schwarzenegger faced physical hardships, such as tearing a gash on his back that necessitated forty stitches. The lack of suitable stunt doubles for his imposing physique compelled him to perform his own stunts, enduring physical strain that included crawling until his knees and elbows bled and facing attacks by dogs.
Schwarzenegger reflected on the demanding nature of “Conan,” stating, “Conan was brutal because there weren’t stunt guys big enough yet, so I had to crawl until my knees and elbows bled, get attacked by those dogs, and bit that real dead vulture. Luckily, lifting weights became popular, and muscular stunt guys became available.”
In addition to the challenges on the set of “Conan,” Schwarzenegger recounted a perilous incident from the movie “The 6th Day.” A seemingly simple swimming scene took a dangerous turn when he got turned around underwater and struggled to find his way back to the exit. The actor revealed, “I couldn’t find my way back to the exit, and I tried to stay as calm as possible but knew I didn’t have long. Luckily, my stunt double Billy Lucas realized what was happening and came in to save me.”
These anecdotes provide a glimpse into the intense and sometimes hazardous experiences Schwarzenegger encountered while bringing iconic characters to life on the big screen.
