Imagine being the son of Arnold Schwarzenegger — the Terminator himself — and witnessing him terminate your mattress by hurling it off the balcony, only to then turn around and instruct you to go make your bed.
The dynamic between two of the biggest action movie stars of our time, Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger, was recently explored in an exclusive TMZ interview. The hour-long special, “Arnold and Sly: Rivals, Friends, Icons,” which aired on Fox and is now streaming on Hulu, delves into their storied careers and evolving friendship.
During the interview, Schwarzenegger candidly shared insights into his tumultuous childhood, citing his abusive, alcoholic father as the driving force behind his determination to carve out his own path in life. He recounted how the hostile environment at home fueled his desire to escape and create his own world, a sentiment echoed by Stallone, who similarly faced adversity in his youth.
Reflecting on their children’s upbringing, Schwarzenegger and Stallone acknowledged the stark contrast between their own experiences and those of their privileged offspring. Despite their children’s comfortable upbringing, Schwarzenegger emphasized that success is not guaranteed, highlighting the importance of instilling discipline and accountability.
Schwarzenegger shared a rather unconventional parenting tactic, recounting how he enforced strict rules for his children, including assigning them chores like washing their own clothes and bedwear. However, if he caught them cutting corners, he would take drastic measures, such as tossing their mattresses off the balcony as a consequence. The revelation left Stallone and interviewer Harvey Levin amused and surprised, with Schwarzenegger adding that his children then had to retrieve their mattresses and remake their beds.
Despite the humor in Schwarzenegger’s parenting anecdotes, the interview delves into deeper themes, including the rivalry between the two iconic actors and their shared drive for success. Stallone even candidly admits to feeling slighted when Schwarzenegger won the 1977 Golden Globe for Best Newcomer, despite Stallone’s groundbreaking work on “Rocky.” In a playful yet competitive gesture, Stallone responded by tossing flowers towards Schwarzenegger at the ceremony, a moment of lighthearted rivalry between the two legends.
The interview offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of these Hollywood titans, showcasing their honesty as they reminisce about their pasts and the competitive spirit that drove them to greatness. And who knows, perhaps if Schwarzenegger had a mattress handy, he might have been tempted to toss it back in response to Stallone’s flower-throwing antics.