On December 17, Arnold Schwarzenegger stunned fans after sharing a festive photo on Facebook, showcasing a dramatically different look from his iconic action-hero image.
In the photo, Arnold Schwarzenegger dons a bright red coat with large toggle buttons, layered over a colorful knit sweater and complemented by a long, patterned scarf. The 77-year-old actor completes the transformation with a white beard and wavy gray hair.
This look was later revealed to be part of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s role as Santa Claus in the film, “The Man with the Bag.” Standing beside him is his co-star, Alan Ritchson, casually dressed in a neutral-toned coat and dark cap, subtly contrasting Schwarzenegger’s striking seasonal look.
Facebook users were surprised by Schwarzenegger’s appearance.
“Arnie looks great with longer hair,” one user commented. Meanwhile another exclaimed, “I didn’t recognise you Arnie [sic]!”
“White beard + white hair, this is Conan finally becoming the King in my dreams, for the last chapter of the trilogy! Crom, to hell with you [sic]!” seomeone else remarked, referencing Schwarzenegger’s iconic role in “Conan the Barbarian.”
Others thought his natural gray hair suited him well. However, one had trouble recognizing him at first. “For a moment I couldn’t tell it was Arnold until I read who posted this, then I recognized 😃 It was the hairstyle that made him a bit unrecognizable,” the person shared.
The actor’s transformation were praised by many fans, with some saying his Austrian roots make him a natural fit for portraying Santa Claus. Others were so surprised by the photo that they initially thought it was AI-generated.
In addition to unveiling his festive look for the film, Schwarzenegger praised the film’s director, Adam Shankman for being “one of the funniest directors” he’s worked with.
More photos and a video of the actor filming the movie in various locations across New York City were also shared by Elder Ordonez. This celebrity photographer provided a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the production.
The “Commando” actor was seen waving and thanking drivers when he crossed the street, adding a touch of real-world warmth to his Santa-inspired look.
That morning filming caused traffic delays on 5th Avenue, where Schwarzenegger was spotted crossing the street and interacting with the public.
In another moment, Schwarzenegger can be seen looking serious while sharing a scene with Ritchson. The “Terminator” actor also described in his Facebook post that New York is an “amazing host,” praising its festive atmosphere as the perfect setting for the film.
He also shared he was excited about working with Amazon on the project, adding, “I can’t wait to share all of this Christmas cheer with each and every one of you.”
The holiday movie follows a whimsical, action-packed storyline. When Santa’s magical bag is stolen, he enlists Vance, a former thief on his “naughty list,” to help retrieve it.
This marks Schwarzenegger’s return to Christmas films after nearly 30 years. His last holiday movie, “Jingle All the Way” (1996), became a beloved classic.
In the film, he played a father desperately trying to find a Turbo Man action figure for his son on Christmas Eve. The movie featured a strong cast, including Sinbad, Rita Wilson, Phil Hartman, Robert Conrad, and Martin Mull.
Off the screen, in December 2023, Schwarzenegger shared a video on TikTok of his annual visit to the Hollenbeck Youth Center in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, where he gave out Christmas gifts to families and children.
“There is a reason I have been handing out presents at the @hollenbeckyouthcenter in Boyle Heights for over 30 years. When I first came to America, my friends at Gold’s Gym were so generous. They brought me in during Christmas time and made me feel so happy and included,” he wrote in the caption.
In the video, Schwarzenegger could be seen handing out gifts, chatting with families, and posing for photos, further showcasing his commitment to spreading joy during the holiday season.
Speaking about his first Christmas experience in the U.S., he recalled how he celebrated the season with his gym friends.
“They invited me to their house. Fantastic. They gave me Christmas gifts, they had this beautiful Christmas tree and I felt so included here in America, even though I was a foreigner, I just came to this country,” he said.
He continued, “So I will never forget that kind of sweetness and kindness and inclusion, so I wanted to do the same thing when I had the money. So this is why for the last 30-something years I’ve been coming out here…It makes me feel good that I can share the kindness and inspire other people to do the same thing.”
@arnoldschnitzelThere is a reason I have been handing out presents at the Hollenbeck Center in Boyle Heights for over 30 years. When I first came to America, my friends at Gold’s Gym were so generous. They brought me in during Christmas time and made me feel so happy and included. I love being able to give back and see the smile on the kids’ faces when they get their gifts. Merry Christmas to all!
From festive transformations to heartfelt gestures, Arnold Schwarzenegger proves he’s not only a cinematic icon but also a source of joy and inspiration during the holiday season.
