Arnold in the Big Apple!

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger returned to the Big Apple last week. During a day packed with shopping, sightseeing and schmoozing, Schwarzenegger, who made his debut film, Hercules In New York, back in 1970 in NYC, was once again flexing his muscles for fund raising.

The Terminator took a stroll in Central Perk to catch a glimpse of the gradually vanishing art installation. He also hit Madison Avenue , checking out shoes and belts at several Tony stores. At one shop, the box office great missed his screen star buddy Sylvester Stallone by a few minutes, though they got together later on for Stallone's new boxing show 'The Contender'.

After a fund-raising dinner at the '21' Club, Schwarzenegger spoke at the Manhattan Republican Party's Lincoln Day Dinner at the Sheraton Manhattan. Both Mayor Bloomberg and Gov. Pataki spoke, but Ah-nuld was the star.

"It's nice to be here. Of course, I'm the only Hollywood celebrity that's not on trial," he joked.

"I love Governor Pataki because he gave me a full and unconditional pardon for my movie that I made here in New York , ‘Hercules in New York '," Schwarzenegger told the 500 guests, attending the $1,000-a-plate dinner. "And I also told him that if he doesn't help me with the fundraising that he's going to have to see it 13 times in a row. He immediately helped."

On the eve of his action packed day, Schwarzenegger dropped in at Elaine's and reminisced about the role the eatery played earlier in his career.

He recalled how the restaurant was the site of a luncheon to launch his bodybuilding documentary, Pumping Iron — and how he got worldwide coverage after he was photographed celebrating with Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis there.

Later on in the evening, Arnold got together with Sly and boxer Sugar Ray Leonard for the premiere party of NBC & ITV2's new reality boxing show, ‘ The Contender '

Global Arnold Staff