California Gov. Schwarzenegger talks with Spc. Ferrell Mapp, a member of the California National Guard’s 49th Military Police Brigade, during a breakfast event held at Camp Victory, Nov. 17, 2009. At right is Brig. Gen Donald Currier, commander of the 49th, and close aide to the governor in his civilian job. (Photo by Sgt. Kenneth Bince, California National Guard)

In a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal’s Chris Kornelis, actor, former Mr. Olympia, and former governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger said “We learn not only just from our success, but we learn actually more from our failures.” Schwarzenegger was speaking about the investments he’s made in his life, both in his time and his money.

Schwarzenegger says his best bet was coming to the United States, and his worst was the film Hercules in New York. He explains why saying of his immigration:

“Coming to America opened up all the doors that I didn’t even think about,” he says. “My movie career happened, and then my political career, and the money, the millions that I made, it goes on and on and on. Everything that I have accomplished in life is because of America. So this was really the most important and the best decision that I’ve made.”

And of Hercules in New York:

“I just said [the lines], but there was no emotion there because I didn’t even know what I was saying,” he says. “I didn’t have any acting training, and even though the director complimented me, I knew I was kind of in a bit over my head.”

The performance was so bad that his lines had to be overdubbed. His phone stopped ringing. “It really took me back with my career of becoming an actor for several years because I didn’t get an offer or anything,” Mr. Schwarzenegger says.

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