What’s next for Arnold Schwarzenegger?

What's next for Arnold Schwarzenegger?

Arnold Schwarzenegger steps down from office as California governor on Monday, leaving behind a mixed legacy as the top executive of "The Golden State", as well as leaving many to speculate what his next plans are.

After a notable run as a bonafide Hollywood star, and as a champion bodybuilder before that, Schwarzenegger successfully became governor of California seven years ago. He now leaves the state with hefty financial problems hit hard by the U.S. recession.

"The important thing with my job that I've had for the last seven years is, you have to have passion...You can't be afraid," the "Governator" said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. "You have to recognize very quickly that political risk-taking is not political suicide."

He was successfully re-elected in 2006, back then enjoying support for his liberal stance and environmental agenda. But as California went into a financial slump, so did Schwarzenegger's ratings waned toward the end of his second term.

Perhaps more talked about now than his actual exit from his gubernatorial post is his next career move. During a recent interview with the LA Times, Schwarzenegger said he is keeping his options open, including a return to a career in the movies.

"From the health industry, to the environmental side, to the political stuff, to writing books, to giving speeches -- all those kinds of things," he said. "There's a huge variety of different doors that can open."

There has been some speculation that Schwarzenegger may soon assume an environment-related post in the Obama administration.

Posted by Kade Quinn on Monday January 03 2011, 3:04 AM EDT. Ref: Inquirer. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Entertainment, Featured News. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0