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The Schwarzenegger-Stallone Barometer

As the '80s icons join forces in 'Escape Plan,' we track Arnold's and Sly's four decades of career ups and downs. Follow the red and green arrows!

by Bill Newcott, AARP

  • Arnold Schwarzenegger in Hercules in New York, 1970; Sylvester Stallone in Lords of Flatbush, 1974.
    Getty Images

    The Start

    En español | Schwarzenegger: Begins his movie career with 1969's Hercules in New York. His accent is so thick his lines are dubbed.
    Stallone:     Begins his movie career wth obscure parts until 1974's The Lords of Flatbush ... and steals it from costars Henry Winkler and Perry King.

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  • Arnold Schwarzenegger in Stay Hungry, 1976. Sylvester Stallone in Rocky, 1976.
    Everett Collection

    1976: Hungry for Rocky

    Schwarzenegger: Plays a supporting role as Mr. Austria in the Jeff Bridges-Sally Field bodybuilding comedy Stay Hungry, but stardom still elusive.
    Stallone:     Nominated for Best Actor and Best Screenplay Oscars for Rocky.

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  • Arnold Schwarzenegger in Conan the Barbarian, 1982; Sylvester Stallone in Rambo, 1982.
    Everett Collection

    1982: The Big Time

    Schwarzenegger: After 13 years, breaks through as Conan the Barbarian.
    Stallone:     Flying high with Rocky III, creates a second classic screen persona, John Rambo, in First Blood.

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  • Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator, 1984; Sylvester Stallone and Dolly Parton in Rhinestone, 1984.
    Everett Collection

    1984: They're Back!

    Schwarzenegger: Introduces the term "Cyborg" to movie audiences in The Terminator. He'll be back.
    Stallone:     "Stay Out of My Bedroom," Sly sings in the Dolly Parton musical comedy Rhinestone. "Stay out of musical comedies," fans respond.

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  • Arnold Schwarzenegger in Kindergarten Cop, 1990; Sylvester Stallone in Oscar, 1991.
    Everett Collection

    1990-91: Comic Relief

    Schwarzenegger: Following up his 1988 Danny DeVito comedy Twins, proves with Kindergarten Cop that he's box office gold as a funnyman.
    Stallone:     Tries his hand at urbane comedy in Oscar. He is spurned by both audiences and the real Oscar.

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  • A middle aged african-american couple lean against each other and smile with text that reads keep life fun and your calendar full.

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  • Arnold Schwarzenegger in Batman and Robin, 1997; Sylvester Stallone in Cop Land, 1997.
    Everett Collection

    1997: Cool Costars

    Schwarzenegger: His over-the-top performance as Mr. Freeze in Batman & Robin (the one with George Clooney behind the mask) leaves fans cold.
    Stallone:     Reminds the world of his acting chops in Cop Land, costarring heavyweights Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta and Harvey Keitel.

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  • Arnold Schwarzenegger elected as governor of California, 2003; Sylvester Stallone in Spy Kids 3-D, 2003.
    Getty Images and Everett Collection

    2003: Governator and Spy

    Schwarzenegger: Elected governor of California (that's wife Maria Shriver at his side), Arnold wrestles its crippling debt to the ground.
    Stallone:     Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over. Enough said.

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  • Arnold Schwarzenegger finishes second term as governor, 2010; Sylvester Stallone in The Expendables, 2010.
    Everett Collection

    2010: Who's the Boss?

    Schwarzenegger: Finishes his run as governor with a 23 percent approval rating; wife leaves him after he admits affair.
    Stallone:     Writes and directs The Expendables — featuring Arnold in a cameo. The Governator is working for the Italian Stallion.

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  • Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone in Escape Plan, 2013.
    Alan Markfield/Summit Entertainment

    2013: Reliving Their Youth

    Schwarzenegger, now 66: Lumbering down memory lane with sequels to Terminator, Twins, Conan the Barbarian and The Expendables.
    Stallone, now 67:     Lumbering down memory lane with sequels to Rocky and The Expendables. No Rhinestone remake in the works.

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