Arnold Schwarzenegger, the 77-year-old icon of films like Predator and The Terminator, stunned fans by revealing his biggest Hollywood paycheck wasn’t from an action movie but a 1988 comedy called Twins. Paired with Danny DeVito as twin brothers separated at birth, Schwarzenegger made a clever deal that led to his most rewarding role.
On Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, he explained that he and DeVito skipped their salaries to keep Twins’ budget low at $16.5 million. In return, they secured 40 percent of the film’s profits, betting on its success. The gamble worked, as Twins earned over $216 million worldwide, far beyond what anyone expected. Their share likely topped $80 million combined.
When Cohen asked if his cut was over $40 million, Schwarzenegger smiled, saying it was “more than any movie I ever made.” In a recent Variety chat with his son Patrick, he shared how director Ivan Reitman and DeVito fought to cast him in a comedy. Studios were skeptical, believing his action films, where “the more he kills, the more money we make,” were safer bets.
By taking a risk and forgoing upfront pay, Schwarzenegger, DeVito, and Reitman turned Twins into a massive success. The deal not only proved Schwarzenegger’s comedic talent but also made the film his biggest financial win. This story highlights how a smart move and a funny family movie became a game-changer for the action star, showing that sometimes the biggest rewards come from unexpected roles.
