Arnold Schwarzenegger Reveals Failed Attempts with Accent-Removal Coach, Calls Accent an Asset for 'Terminator' Role

Schwarzenegger reflects on turning an accent initially seen as an obstacle into an asset for defining roles, cites James Cameron's view that Terminator's success due to Schwarzenegger "talking like a machine".

• Arnold Schwarzenegger recalled his time working with multiple coaches early in his career, including an accent-removal coach, in an effort to eliminate his distinctive Austrian accent.
• Despite his efforts and exercises to correct pronunciation errors—such as the pronunciation of the word 'three'—Schwarzenegger was unable to completely rid himself of his accent.
• Initially seen as an obstacle by Hollywood producers and directors, Schwarzenegger's accent was eventually seen as an asset in defining roles like 'The Terminator', with director James Cameron believing that it added to the character's 'machine-like' tone.
• Schwarzenegger credits the 'Hans and Franz' sketches on 'Saturday Night Live' with helping normalize accents, as they took the subject of accents and used it to entertain people.
• Despite the initial difficulty associated with his accent, Schwarzenegger's distinctive voice has now become a hallmark of his acting career, synonymous with his most iconic roles.

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