Twice-elected California governor and international movie superstar Arnold Schwarzenegger has been named new host of NBC’s “The Celebrity Apprentice,” which will return to the network for the 2016-17 season, NBC Universal announced today.
His qualifications according to the network: Schwarzenegger served two terms as governor of California, managing more than 300,000 state employees and a state budget in the hundreds of billions. He has successfully invested in both real estate and sports franchises, and is known to millions globally for his starring role in the “Terminator” film franchise. His films, over a six-decade career, have grossed billions of dollars in worldwide box office.
The former governor will replace Donald Trump who, in his role as host of the seven seasons of “The Celebrity Apprentice,” helped raise more than $15 million for charity. Trump and NBC parted ways after he announced his candidacy for president. Ties were completely severed in the wake of controversial statements Trump made about Mexican immigrants.
“We are thrilled to be opening a powerful new chapter in the story of the ‘Apprentice’ franchise,” said Paul Telegdy, President, Alternative and Late Night Programming, NBC Entertainment. “Arnold Schwarzenegger is the epitome of a global brand in entertainment and business, and his accomplishments in the political arena speak for themselves. It was Arnold’s personal passion for the format that Mark Burnett and Donald Trump built over the last decade, as well as his fresh take on how to take it to new heights for today’s audiences, that made him the man to hire. ‘The Celebrity Apprentice’ … will be back!”
Schwarzenegger said: “I have always been a huge fan of ‘The Celebrity Apprentice’ and the way it showcases the challenges and triumphs of business and teamwork. I am thrilled to bring my experience to the boardroom and to continue to raise millions for charity. Let’s get started!”
Previous “Celebrity Apprentice” winners include Joan Rivers, Piers Morgan, Bret Michaels, Trace Adkins, Arsenio Hall, John Rich and Leeza Gibbons.
Always politically active, Schwarzenegger announced his candidacy for governor of California on Aug. 6, 2003 on the “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” Two months later he was elected governor in a recall of Gov. Gray Davis and was then re-elected for a second time in 2006.
Schwarzenegger moved to the United States from Austria at 21 years old and was best known at the time for his bodybuilding career. He would eventually become the youngest Mr. Universe and a seven-time Mr. Olympia winner. By the age of 30, Schwarzenegger was a millionaire, well before his career in Hollywood. His financial independence came from his success as a budding entrepreneur with a series of successful business ventures and investments.
With an eye on acting, Schwarzenegger won a Golden Globe Award for the 1976 film “Stay Hungry” but would make his Hollywood breakthrough with the 1982 hit “Conan the Barbarian.” Over the next six years, he would cement his role as a huge box office star in several films, including “The Terminator,” “Twins,” “Predator” and “Kindergarten Cop.”
I had my fingers crossed for one of the sharks from Shark Tank, preferably a woman, but Arnold is a choice that makes sense. He has star power, experience, and the potential to be entertaining. The new season probably won’t premiere until winter 2017. By then, we might be talking about President Trump. Heh.
Trump responds:
Congrats to my friend @Schwarzenegger who is doing next season’s Celebrity Apprentice. He'll be great & will raise lots of $ for charity.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 14, 2015
To all my fans, sorry I couldn’t do The Apprentice any longer—but equal time (presidential run) prohibits me from doing so. Love!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 14, 2015
Uh Donald? NBC said “YOU’RE FIRED!” not the other way around…
