THE OTHER SARAH CONNOR!

Not many people in this world can claim the "bragging rights" to being shot in the head by Arnold Schwarzenegger, but actress Marianne Muellerleile is one of the privileged few.

Of course, Marianne has plenty more to brag about. One look at Marianne's resume quickly resonates an impressive amount of acting experience.. from feature films like Liar, Liar and Executive Decision to domestic television series like ER and a reoccurring role on 3rd Rock from the Son (not to mention her work on stage.) But, especially to the millions of Schwarzenegger fans across the world, nothing else can quite compare to her role as the other Sarah Connor in James Cameron's 1984 sci-fi phenomenon The Terminator!

"I found the film mesmerizing," she says to The ARNOLD FAN. "I was absolutely wowed by the special effects, the story, the excitement it generated. Didn't have a clue that it would become a phenomenon. I still can't predict what the audience will love or hate."

Born in first city west of the Mississippi: St. Louis, Missouri, Marianne Muellerleile was the fourth of five children and had a relatively carefree childhood. When it came time to focus on a career, life as a working actress isn't what first came to mind.

"Although I had always loved acting I did not consider it a practical career. I was studying for a Masters of Fine Arts in Acting as a way of enhancing my teaching credentials. It was meeting Tennessee Williams while doing a university performance of A Streetcar Named Desire that made me think seriously about it. He said "My dearah, you will always work.""

Although it didn't take her long to grow a very rewarding career, Marianne soon realized that there could only be limited success in theater, so she moved to the West coast and pursued television and film. She quickly landed parts in the popular domestic television series Magnum, PI and The Greatest American Hero. Her career in Hollywood television and film had begun, but did she prefer one form of media over another?

"Each genre of acting has it's own rewards. I generally like the genre I am presently working in over the others. If I had to pick one I'd say sitcom work. I think because it combines the stage format (you are doing a 23 minute play), you have set rehearsal times (generally 10 to 5) and your goal is to make the audience laugh. I think it is a noble mission."

Then, years later, Marianne showed up for a casting call for a small budget film for Orion Pictures. It was a science fiction film, telling a riveting story about a human-looking, apparently unstoppable cyborg that is sent from the future to kill a woman in the present, to change the course of history. It was called The Terminator.


Marianne was auditioning to play a small role of a homemaker, an unfortunate soul with an unlucky name: Sarah Connor. The writer & director of the project was (at the time) an unknown, inexperienced man named James Cameron. Marianne quickly learned that Cameron was no ordinary director, but a meticulous visionary, and that auditioning for a visionary was no easy task.




"It was a standard call except for one thing...all I had to do was a slow reaction and a silent scream," she says "But I had to do it over and over. I also had to come back and do it again, two additional times.

"At the time I thought it was nuts. But after doing the day's work and seeing how intensely Jim Cameron worked I got that every part, large and small, was extremely important to his vision. He took the time and put in the energy to get exactly who and what he wanted." Fortunately, Marianne's patience and determination paid off, and she landed the part.



Filming her scene as the other Sarah Connor only took one day to complete (shot one early morning in Van Nuys, California.) For a set, Cameron chose a little nondescript track house, in a very ordinary neighborhood. While prep work took place, Arnold Schwarzenegger spent most of it "talking to the kids, shaking hands, picking them up, hugging them" and she fondly remembers James Cameron as being "both intense and lighthearted" and had vivid memories of seeing him laugh and joke.



There were only a few retakes that day, and the overall shooting went as planned. By noon, James Cameron was satisfied, and with her scene completed, Marianne was about to leave when Arnold approached her:

"As I was packing up my stuff to leave, Arnold asked me if I'd like to join him for lunch. I did. We ate in his trailer. I remember him eating fresh leafy vegetables and loads of fruit. Also a glass of white wine. I thought to myself, how European.

"You might think having lunch with Arnold was my fondest memory but it was the conversation that I treasure most. We covered many, many subjects that interested us both...acting, politics, religion, finance, fitness and travel. It's Arnold's mind, wit and character that make him such an attractive person."

"I only worked on the set one day but it remains an extremely memorable day. The reason for that is Arnold.

"Arnold's love of life and love of each person envelops you. I did not expect to have any private time with the star of the picture but Arnold draws everyone in, making each person feel special, recognized and appreciated. It is an extraordinary gift and one that he does not squander."

In 1984, when The Terminator was released to stellar reviews and large box-office receipts, not even Marianne could have predicted the amazing phenomena the "Terminator" character would become. Furthermore, it is safe to say, that Marianne could have not predicted that she would rejoin the famous Austrian almost 12 years later, when they were reunited in the holiday comedy Jingle All The Way. And this time, Arnold did not shoot her in the head!


Filmed over a long shoot in Minneapolis, Marianne played a more meatier role opposite Schwarzenegger, as a caring tow truck driver that returns Arnold's character Howard (and what was left of his car) home after an unsuccessful hunt for the infamous Turboman doll.

"I played a tow truck driver that drops Arnold off at his home. It was a 57 Chevy truck with a stick shift that would jump the gear. You know they never even asked me if I knew how to drive a stick. They did give me a few hours in it with it's owner before I started shooting. Fortunately I didn't need it as I learned on a stick at my father's insistence."

Fate would take a disappointing turn though, when Marianne discovered upon the film's theatrical release, that her role as the tow truck driver was cut out of the film. (Fortunately, she let us know that her scenes were re-inserted in a new version edited just for television, so be sure to watch Jingle All The Way on T.V. this season to catch Marianne's scenes and possibly additional never-before-seen theatrical footage!) Even though her scenes were edited out, she did come away with a great experience.

"Arnold and I spent a couple of days in that truck where I enjoyed that same wonderful wit and personality. Of course in the 12 years he had become a huge star, a force not only in the industry but in politics and philanthropy. Everything that I saw in him during that lunch on the set of The Terminator was in full bloom in that truck on Jingle All The Way. He chopped on his beloved cigars, joked with the crew, talked about his humvees and life in general."

"Before leaving the shoot I gave him a grant proposal to fund an inner city after-school program my husband and I were running. He accepted it graciously. Two weeks later he sent me the all time greatest rejection letter I have ever received. I saved it because I thought should I ever be in a position to fund projects, this is the rejection letter I want to send when I cannot meet their needs. It was at once, supportive of the project, regretful that it didn't fall within his own philanthropic guidelines and encouraging that I can on him for an auction or fundraising item. It was as heartfelt and loving as the man himself.

"Not too long ago I sent Arnold a letter stating my support for his running for the governor of California. If it happens, he can count on me as one of his biggest boosters. The guy has my vote."

Marianne Muellerleile's latest project is her reoccurring role in the NBC domestic soap opera Passions. Her character Norma (an ax wielding murderer currently imprisioned in an insane asylum) will return to the show this December. She also can be seen in seven television comericals currently airing for Snapple, Monster.com, March of Dimes, MMs (UK only), Wrigley's, House to Home and 7-Eleven.


For those who would like to learn more about Marianne Muellerleile, we encourage our readership to visit her website: www.mariannemuellerleile.com.

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Akim "Goose" Bischoff