With an unmistakable look, voice, and name, Arnold Schwarzenegger has become iconic. The bodybuilder turned actor gained fame for a string of action roles in the 1980s and beyond, notably the characters Conan and the Terminator. Easily parodied, Schwarzenegger has repeatedly been typecast as a brash hero. But given the opportunity, he has proven his ability to successfully tackle both comedic and dramatic roles. Here are our picks for Arnold Schwarzenegger's eight best non-action performances on film and television.

8 Jingle All the Way (1996)

Arnold Schwarzenegger in Jingle All the Way (1996)
20th Century Studios

Drawing inspiration from an increasingly high demand for popular Christmas toys (resulting in occasional violent disputes) in the years preceding its 1996 release, Jingle All the Way reportedly attracted Schwarzenegger with the chance to play a relatively ordinary character. As a father searching for a sold-out toy for his son (young Jake Lloyd, several years before Star Wars fame), Schwarzenegger goes to increasingly absurd lengths, at times devolving into his action-movie persona. Critics couldn't decide whether the movie was satirizing or celebrating the commercialization of the holiday season. Still, Emanuel Levy, writing for Variety, found that Schwarzenegger had "developed a light comic delivery" and provided his character "a most welcome humorous touch."

7 Kindergarten Cop (1990)

Arnold Schwarzenegger in Kindergarten Cop (1990)
Universal Pictures

His second comedy with director Ivan Reitman, 1990's Kindergarten Cop finds Schwarzenegger undercover as a detective who discovers he enjoys teaching children. Released the same year as Total Recall, Schwarzenegger had reached a point in his career where he could explore a variety of options, including commercial appearances, and even directing a horror show. Many critics still didn't love Schwarzenegger in a comedic role, but the movie was commercially successful and left him wanting to make a sequel.

Related: How Stan Lee Made Arnold Schwarzenegger's Kindergarten Cop 2 Wish Come True

6 Stay Hungry (1976)

Schwarzenegger and Bridges in Stay Hungry (1976)
United Artists

Though not technically his screen debut (a young "Arnold Strong" starred in the low-budget Hercules in New York in 1970), many forget that Schwarzenegger won the Golden Globe for Best Acting Debut in a Motion Picture for his part in the unpredictable comedy/drama Stay Hungry. He appeared alongside rising stars Jeff Bridges and Sally Field in the semi-autobiographical role of Joe Santo, a bodybuilder competing in the Mr. Universe contest. The film received mixed reviews, but Schwarzenegger was praised, and the award brought him some early attention years before his breakout roles.

5 Twins (1988)

DeVito and Schwarzenegger in Twins (1988)
Universal Pictures

Following two Conan movies, The Terminator, and Predator, among others, Schwarzenegger was one of the biggest and most recognizable movie stars of the 1980s. But he took an unexpected turn away from action and into comedy opposite the diminutive Danny DeVito in Ivan Reitman's Twins. Critically panned for offering little beyond its wacky premise, it was nevertheless a smash hit, quickly becoming one of the top-grossing movies of 1988, despite being released in December. Schwarzenegger would work again with both DeVito and Reitman, and despite the director's passing, a sequel may yet be made.

4 Pumping Iron (1977)

Schwarzenegger in Pumping Iron (1977)
Cinema 5

The 1977 film Pumping Iron is sometimes categorized as a documentary, though "docudrama" may better describe it. Based on a book of the same name, some scenes are definitely staged or dramatized, and possibly even scripted. The story that emerges is a rivalry between two bodybuilders that both became actors and stars, Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno. What audiences at the time were seeing was the start of Schwarzenegger performing in character: cocky, but charismatic, smiling, and delivering one-liners. Indeed, it was a rough cut of the film that convinced producers Schwarzenegger was perfect for the title role in Conan the Barbarian, a portrayal that would launch him into action movie stardom.

Related: Mark Hamill Shares the Awful Advice He Gave Young Arnold Schwarzenegger

3 Stan Lee's Superhero Kindergarten (2021)

Schwarzenegger in Stan Lee's Superhero Kindergarten (2021)
Genius Brands

The animated series Superhero Kindergarten came from Schwarzenegger's desire to make a sequel to Kindergarten Cop, but it took the legendary Stan Lee to make it a reality. Sadly, it turned out to be the last project Lee worked on before his death in 2018. Schwarzenegger voices the lead character, Arnold Armstrong (Captain Fantastic), who must teach a new generation of superhero children lessons about life and using their strengths to make a better world. Well-reviewed after its debut on Kartoon Channel, the series has been renewed for a second season.

2 Junior (1994)

Schwarzenegger and DeVito in Junior (1994)
Universal Pictures

Schwarzenegger's third and final project with Ivan Reitman, Junior re-teamed him with Danny DeVito. The 1994 movie, also starring Emma Thompson, found Schwarzenegger agreeing to secretly become the world's first pregnant man in order to test a new fertility drug. It did not have a strong opening, and most reviews were negative. One exception was Roger Ebert, who called Schwarzenegger "perfect for the role." Surprisingly, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association agreed, nominating Schwarzenegger for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, with Thompson also receiving a Best Actress nomination for her performance. The movie may not hold up, but in retrospect, it could be Schwarzenegger's best comedic performance to date.

1 Maggie (2015)

Maggie Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger Heads to Lionsgate
Lionsgate Films

After two terms as California's governor, a public divorce, and a scandal involving a previously unacknowledged son, Schwarzenegger had inevitably learned something about the burden of responsibility. It shows in his powerful but restrained performance in Maggie, a surprisingly thoughtful if slow-paced 2015 film. Though ostensibly a zombie movie, Schwarzenegger shines not in the occasional flash of violent action, but rather in the tender relationship with his character's daughter, played by Abigail Breslin. Reviews were mixed, but almost all celebrated Schwarzenegger in his finest dramatic role.