Ever look at a photo of 1970s Arnold and think, Wait, is that really him? We’re so used to the flat-top of The Terminator or the neatly groomed "Governor" look that seeing Arnold Schwarzenegger with long hair feels like a glitch in the simulation. But honestly, that shaggy, flowing mane was a huge part of his transition from a niche Austrian bodybuilder to a global superstar.
It wasn't just a phase. It was a strategy.
In the early days of his career, Arnold didn't have a "look" yet. He had a physique that defied logic, but his face and hair were still being molded by Hollywood producers who didn't quite know what to do with a 240-pound man with a thick accent. From the questionable wigs of his first film to the iconic, rugged locks of the Cimmerian, the evolution of Arnold Schwarzenegger's long hair tells the story of his rise to the top.
The Rough Start: Hercules and the Wig Problem
Let's be real: Hercules in New York (1970) is a tough watch. Arnold was credited as "Arnold Strong" because his name was considered too hard to pronounce. They dubbed his voice. And then there was the hair.
In some scenes, he sports a natural, wavy 70s look, but the production often slapped a truly tragic hairpiece on him to make him look more "mythological." It looked stiff. It didn't move. It was basically a hat made of hair. This was the era of "throwing things at the wall to see what sticks."
Fortunately, as Arnold took control of his own image, the hair got better. By the time he was filming the documentary Pumping Iron in 1975, he had settled into a classic, mid-length style. It was very "Venice Beach"—swoopy, thick, and brown. It made him look less like a terrifying wall of muscle and more like a heartthrob. This was key. He needed to be likable to break into the mainstream, and the softer hair helped balance the intensity of his deltoids.
Conan: When Arnold Schwarzenegger's Long Hair Became Iconic
If you ask any fan about Arnold's best hair, they’ll point to 1982's Conan the Barbarian. This wasn't just "long hair"; it was a character choice. Director John Milius wanted Conan to look primal, wild, and unrefined.
Why the Conan Look Worked
The hair in Conan wasn't overly styled. It looked like it had been cut with a dagger.
- The Bangs: A straight-across cut that gave him a fierce, predatory look.
- The Length: Falling well past his shoulders, it emphasized the scale of his back and neck.
- The Realism: Unlike the Hercules days, this was largely Arnold’s real hair, supplemented with high-quality extensions to give it that heavy, "warrior" weight.
Interestingly, for the sequel, Conan the Destroyer, the hair changed. It was a bit more "Hollywood." It looked cleaner, more coiffed. Some fans argue it lost the grit of the first film, but it proved that Arnold could carry a "leading man" mane without looking like he just stepped out of a cave.
The Mid-80s Transition: Lord Kalidor and Red Sonja
By 1985, Arnold was a household name. He did a film called Red Sonja where he played Lord Kalidor. If you look closely, this is basically "Conan Lite" hair. It’s long, flowing, and very "high fantasy."
But something was shifting. The 80s were moving toward the "action hero" aesthetic—shorter, more militaristic cuts. Shortly after Red Sonja, Arnold went for the iconic flat-top in Commando and Predator. The long hair was retired. He realized that a shorter cut made his jawline look like it was carved out of granite. It made him look modern. It made him look like a machine.
The Surprising Comebacks of the Long Hair
Think the long hair stayed in the 80s? Nope. Arnold brought it back for some very specific, and sometimes weird, roles.
In Last Action Hero (1993), there’s a parody sequence where he plays Hamlet. He’s wearing a period-accurate, shoulder-length blonde-brown wig. It’s hilarious because it’s so intentional. He’s poking fun at his own "serious actor" ambitions and his past as a long-haired warrior.
Then there was Sabotage (2014). This one was... controversial. Director David Ayer forced Arnold into a weird, grey-streaked undercut with a small ponytail/braid situation. Arnold actually hated it. He famously said he wore a hat everywhere off-set because he thought he looked ridiculous. It was a far cry from the majestic locks of the 80s, but it showed he was still willing to mess with his image for a role.
Why We’re Still Talking About It
There's a reason people still search for "Arnold Schwarzenegger long hair" in 2026. It represents a specific era of masculinity. In the 70s and early 80s, long hair on a guy as big as Arnold wasn't "pretty"—it was powerful. It was the look of the "Alpha" before that word was overused.
Honestly, it’s also just impressive. The man has thick hair. Even as he’s aged, he hasn't dealt with the thinning that plagues many of his peers. Whether it’s the salt-and-pepper look he sports today or the brown waves of his youth, the "Schwarzenegger Mane" is a feat of genetics.
How to Get the "Conan" Look Today (If You’re Brave Enough)
If you're looking to replicate that classic 82' Conan vibe, you need to understand that it’s about volume, not just length.
- Don't over-wash: You want natural oils to give the hair weight. If it’s too fluffy, you look like a 70s disco star, not a barbarian.
- Focus on the layers: The "square cut" look is achieved by cutting the hair at a consistent length all the way around, rather than tapering it.
- Use a matte product: Stay away from gels. Use a sea salt spray or a light clay to keep it looking rugged and "wind-swept."
- Patience is key: Arnold’s hair in the early 80s was likely around 12-14 inches long in the back. That’s at least two years of growth for the average guy.
The takeaway? Arnold Schwarzenegger’s long hair wasn't just a fashion statement; it was a bridge between his life as a bodybuilder and his career as the world's biggest movie star. It gave him a sense of "otherness" that made him perfect for fantasy epics before he became the face of modern action.
Next time you see a clip of Conan, don't just look at the sword. Look at the hair. It's doing a lot more work than you think.
If you're interested in more styling history, you might want to look into the specific hair products used on 80s sets or check out the evolution of the "Action Hero Flat-top" that eventually replaced Arnold's long locks.