Donald vs. Arnold: Comparing the once and future 'Celebrity Apprentice' hosts - Los Angeles Times
Advertisement

Donald vs. Arnold: Comparing the once and future ‘Celebrity Apprentice’ hosts

Share via

On Monday it was announced that Arnold Schwarzenegger would replace Donald Trump as host of NBC's "The Celebrity Apprentice."

The two men have much in common, starting, of course, with their tawny manes and preternaturally bronzed complexions. But the similarities are more than just skin deep: Both Schwarzenegger and Trump have followed unlikely professional journeys, beginning in industries outside of Hollywood before venturing into showbiz and eventually politics. 

Here's a side-by-side comparison of the former California governor and the current Republican presidential frontrunner.

Place of birth

(Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times | Associated Press)

Schwarzenegger: Thal, Austria

Trump: Queens, N.Y.

Age

Schwarzenegger: 68

Trump: 69 

Nicknames

Schwarzenegger: The Guvernator, The Austrian Oak

Trump: The Donald, The Short-Fingered Vulgarian

Hair color

(Richard Shiro/Associated Press | Robert Durell/Los Angeles Times)

Schwarzenegger: Cocker spaniel red

Trump: Golden retriever yellow

Family

Schwarzenegger: Five children, ranging in age from 17 to 25.

Trump: Five children, ranging in age from 9 to 37.

Career highlight

(Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times | Tri Star)

Schwarzenegger: In 1991, when "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" grossed $200 million at the box office.

Trump: In 1983, when the 58-story Trump Tower opened in 1983 at the corner of 56th Street and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, on the site of the former Bonwit Teller department store.

Ties to Democratic Party

Schwarzenegger: Was married to Maria Shriver, niece of President Kennedy, for 25 years before they split in 2011.

Trump: Has donated  more than $500,000 to Democratic campaigns since 1989 and was registered as a Democrat from 2001-2009; Hillary and Bill Clinton attended his 2005 wedding to third wife Melania Knauss.

Stance on immigration

Schwarzenegger: As governor of California, pushed through legislation which prevented undocumented immigrants from obtaining drivers licenses.

Trump: Believes Mexico should pay for wall on border with United States, and has called for the end of birthright citizenship and the deportation of millions of undocumented workers. 

Dismissive catchphrase

(Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images | Artisan Home Entertainment)

Schwarzenegger: "Hasta la vista, baby!"

Trump: "You're fired!"

First gained media attention

Schwarzenegger: In 1977, the year he was featured in the bodybuilding documentary, "Pumping Iron," and his memoir, "Arnold: The Education of a Bodybuilder," was released.

Trump: In 1973, as president of the Trump Management Corp., which rented more than 14,000 apartments in the outer boroughs of New York City and was accused of discriminating against black tenants by the Department of Justice.

Extramarital antics

Schwarzenegger: Fathered a child with longtime housekeeper, Mildred "Patty" Baena; has been accused by several women of groping and sexual misconduct, but no charges have ever been filed. 

Trump: Cheated on first wife, Ivana, with second wife, Marla Maples.

Political aspirations

(EPA/Justin Lane | Los Angeles Times)

Trump: Hopes to become the 45th president of the United States so he can "Make America Great Again," just like the hat says.

Schwarzenegger: Served as governor of California from 2003 to 2011; reportedly considered mounting a legal challenge to enable a presidential run, due to his having been born overseas.

Military service

Schwarzenegger: Completed a year of compulsory service in the Austrian army, but was punished for going AWOL to compete in bodybuilding competition.

Trump: Received a medical deferment from the Vietnam draft for bone spurs in his heels, but has said he “always felt that I was in the military†because of his time as a student at a military-style prep school in New York.

Biggest flop

Schwarzenegger: The zombie movie "Maggie," released this spring, brought in just $193,000 at the box office. It followed a string of box office duds, including "Sabotage" and "The Last Stand."

Trump: Trump Entertainment Resorts, the gaming and hospitality company that operates Atlantic City, N.J.'s, Taj Mahal casino, has filed for bankruptcy four times -- most recently in 2014. (Honorable Mention: Trump Airlines)

Cost of divorce

Marla Maples and Donald Trump. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver. (AP Photo/John Bazemore | Los Angeles Times)

Schwarzenegger: His split from Maria Shriver, finalized in 2014, is estimated to have cost between $100 million and $200 million.

Trump: His first wife, Ivana, received an estimated $20-million to $25-million settlement, including $14 million in cash; his second wife Marla Maples reportedly received just $1 million, since Trump filed papers just before the four-year mark stipulated in their prenup.

Follow @MeredithBlake on Twitter.

Advertisement