He was funny, charming and quick-witted, but when it came to answering questions on fellow Republican Sarah Palin, Arnold Schwarzenegger just didn't want to "get into it."
Speaking in front of a large crowd of over 2,500 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre Wednesday, the former California governor seemed at ease until the moderator asked if he thought Palin was qualified to be president of the United States.
"I'm not going to get into that, I'm not here to make headlines," Schwarzenegger says.
"I think the people will decide who they want to vote for."
He then continued to talk about partnering with the Obama administration, saying he was more than happy to help in any way possible.
The Palin issue was the one question that seemed to throw Schwarzenegger off during the lunch event, where he received laughter and applause from the crowd as he went through his accomplishments with self-deprecating humour.
Describing the hard work that he's put into his career as a bodybuilder, businessman, actor, and politician, the 63-year-old wasn't afraid to poke fun at the differences which made him "unique."
"I had to spend five hours a day, every single day…I took acting classes, speech classes, and accent removal classes."
"I had to say ‘fine wine grows on a vine'… over and over again, and that's why I lost my accent," he said in a mocking tone, to a crowd that roared with laughter in response.
When asked if it was true whether he killed about 300 people in his blockbuster movies, the actor said yes, but he also "saved" that many in his movies as well.
So it was in that light tone that Schwarzenegger emphasized the things that helped him succeed in life -- working "like hell," using your talent, taking risks, breaking rules, not listening to naysayers, and giving back.
He said his need to progress started at a young age in Austria, something his parents didn't understand when he was 15-years-old.
"I'm a fanatic, I go all out," he said. "I had to go and put up inspirational material around, so I started to put up pictures of strong men, and body builders."
"My mother was very concerned… she called the doctor. She wanted me to marry a girl named Heidi and have a bunch of kids like the Von Trapp family in 'The Sound of Music."'
From those humble beginnings in Austria, the "Governator" (as he has now been affectionately nicknamed) went on to win 30 world titles in bodybuilding at a time when he says he was made fun of, and told he would become homosexual.
Though through the struggles, Schwarzenegger says he came out on top despite many failures.
"You are a girlie man if you are afraid of failure," he said, adding it probably wasn't appropriate to call California legislators "girlie men" while in office, but he's glad he contributed to environmental reform in the state.
As much as Schwarzenegger reflected on his successful multi-million dollar Hollywood career in the 45-minute speech, he said the most enjoyable thing he's done so far has been being the Governor of California.
"There's nothing like serving people, not being concerned about yourself," he said.
"People thought I was insane for doing that…choosing a profession where you get beaten up every time."
However, Schwarzenegger says he was inspired by the famous political family that he married into -- The Kennedys -- and particularly his father-in-law Robert Sargent Shriver, who died last week.
Schwarzenegger maintains that he never wanted to change who he was, or "fool the people."
"When I ran for governor, I continued doing everything always the same as I've always done. I've continued driving my Hummers, I've continued smoking my Cuban cigars, I've continued wearing my cowboy boots made from alligators," he said.
The speech was one of three that Schwarzenegger has given on his speaking tour of Canada, and his star power drew many notables including Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty and John Tory to name a few. Gene Simmons, the bassist from the rock group KISS, was also in attendance.
In the end, Schwarzenegger kept it simple saying, "My life has been a great journey, because I came to America." And ofcourse, not being afraid to be himself, he ended off with his trademark, "I'll be back."
