California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is a former bodybuilder and actor. He was elected from a field of 156 candidates following the successful recall of Governor Gray Davis in 2003, garnering 48.6% of the vote. His administration has been challenged by the ongoing California budget crisis.

Governor Schwarzenegger is currently promoting an overhaul of the State's water system [1] as well as continuing to address the fiscal crisis. The Legislative Analyst's Office has forecast the State is facing a $20.7 billion dollar deficit before the 2010-11 budget is enacted. [2]

• Note: The majority of the links in this timeline are to IMDb, which has pop-ups.

• July 30, 1947: Born near Graz, Austria

• 1970-1975: Won Mr. Olympia competition 6 times

• 1977: Pumping Iron

• 1982: Conan the Barbarian

• 1984: The Terminator

• 1985: Commando

• 1986: Married Maria Shriver

• 1985: Commando

• 1987: Predator

• 1988: Twins

• 1990: Total Recall

• 1990: Kindergarten Cop

• 1987: Predator

• 1988: Twins

• 1990: Total Recall

• 1990: Kindergarten Cop

• 1991: Terminator 2: Judgment Day

• 1994: True Lies

• 1997: Batman & Robin

• 2003: Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines

• 2003: Elected Governor of California

• Schwarzenegger is reported to have a digitally-produced cameo in Terminator Salvation, which opens in the U.S. on May 21, 2009.Variety: Digital Governator... (April 22, 2009)

Arnold Schwarzenegger was born and grew up in Austria, near the town of Graz. According to his own accounts, Schwarzenegger had a difficult relationship with his father. He has been quoted as saying that his father's treatment of him "would now be called child abuse."

Arnold Schwarzenegger began lifting weights when he was in his early teens. He was extremely dedicated, allegedly breaking into the gym on weekends so he could train.

While serving his mandatory year of army service in 1965, he went AWOL to compete for the Junior Mr. Europe title. He won and spent a week in army jail. He came in second for Mr. Universe in 1966, and won in 1967, becoming the youngest holder of the title at that time. A year later, he moved to the United States.

Schwarzenegger's film debut was in 1970 in the film Hercules in New York. His accent was so thick that film producers chose to overdub his lines. He starred in several more movies over the next few years and finally broke through in 1982 with Conan the Barbarian. He increased his action-star reputation with films like The Terminator, and branched out into comedy with the hit movie Twins, co-starring Danny DeVito. He continued to have hits through the 1990s and into the first decade of the 21st century.

Though Schwarzenegger endorsed and supported John McCain during the 2008 Election, he has since promised to work closely with President Barack Obama, and was even rumored to have been under consideration for a post in Obama's Cabinet as the United States' energy czar.Guardian.co.uk: Schwarzenegger rumored for Obama energy job (November 6, 2008) While speaking with George Stephanopoulos on February 22, 2009, Schwarzenegger told Stephanopoulos that the Republican Party needs to put its ideology aside and work with President Obama during the current economic crisis.ABC News: Schwarzenegger to GOP: Put Aside Ideology(February 22, 2009)

Governor Schwarzenegger announced to voters on May 14, 2009, that should they reject the six other deficit-reduction measures on Tuesday's special ballot, he will be forced to layoff 5,000 state workers, cut education spending by $5 billion and also reduce funding for mental health facilities and state prisons. Schwarzenegger told press at a news conference, "This is the harsh reality of the crisis we face. Sacramento is not Washington. ... We can't spend what we don't have."USA Today: Schwarzenegger plans layoffs... (May 14, 2009)

Voters rejected all but one measure in the election. The voters chose to pass the measure which banned pay raises for elected officials.USAToday: Calif. voters say no... (May 20, 2009)

Schwarzenegger, who will not physically be appearing in the fourth installment of the Terminator film series titled Terminator Salvation, may make a cameo appearance if special effects wizards are successful at inserting his image from the 1984 film The Terminator. In his scene, the main character would reportedly encounter Schwarzenegger as a "future Terminator."CNN: Schwarzenegger may make cameo in new 'Terminator' (April 22, 2009)

Always a staunch supporter of the Republican Party, Schwarzenegger put his celebrity status to a new use in 2003. California governor Gray Davis had been recalled and both parties sought a candidate to replace him. Schwarzenegger threw his hat into the ring. The combination of his celebrity and voters' disenchantment with the Democratic Party led to his election. He was re-elected in 2006 with 56% of the vote.