Miriam Margolyes Reveals Her Worst On-Set Experience With Schwarzenegger
Miriam Margolyes, who appeared with Arnold Schwarzenegger in End of Days, has spoken out about his behavior on set, including a shocking incident and claims of inappropriate conduct. Her candid account sheds new light on their working relationship.
When you reach the level of stardom that Arnold Schwarzenegger has, you can pretty much choose your co-stars. Over the years, he’s worked with a long list of Hollywood ’s biggest names, and just about everyone has a story to tell about their time with the action icon. But one name you might not expect to hear in connection with Schwarzenegger is Miriam Margolyes. The outspoken actress shared the screen with him in End of Days, a wild thriller from a particularly lucrative chapter in his career. In the film, Schwarzenegger plays a New York detective who stumbles into a supernatural plot, while Margolyes takes on the role of a sinister caretaker with a dark secret. The two even share a fight scene that stands out as one of the film’s most bizarre moments.
On-Set Tensions and Unforgettable Moments
For most actors, working alongside a star of Schwarzenegger’s caliber would be a career highlight. That wasn’t the case for Margolyes. Never one to hold back, she’s been vocal about her negative experiences with him, especially during a 2022 appearance on the I’ve Got News For You podcast.
“He was actually quite rude,”
she recalled.
“He farted in my face. Now, I fart, of course I do – but I don’t fart in people’s faces. He did it deliberately, right in my face. I was playing Satan’s sister, and he was killing me, so he had me in a position where I couldn’t escape and was lying on the floor. And he just farted. It wasn’t on film, it was in one of the pauses, but I haven’t forgiven him for it.”
Allegations Beyond the Prank
Margolyes didn’t stop at recounting that embarrassing moment. She went on to accuse Schwarzenegger of inappropriate behavior toward women during filming, saying he was
“awfully gropey with women”
on set. She added that he left her alone only because he
“didn’t fancy me.”
Despite multiple attempts by media outlets to get Schwarzenegger’s side of the story, he has remained silent, choosing not to respond to the allegations or engage in the public dispute. Perhaps he decided that trading barbs with a famously candid British actress wasn’t worth his time.
Career Fallout and Film Reception
If Margolyes’ claims about Schwarzenegger’s conduct are accurate, some might say karma played a role in what happened next. End of Days is widely considered one of the low points in his filmography, receiving poor reviews and disappointing audiences. It was one of several box office misfires that led some to question whether the former action superstar had lost his edge. Around this time, he also made some questionable career choices, passing on major hits like The Rock in favor of less successful projects like this one and Collateral Damage.
The idea that a single on-set incident could derail a Hollywood career might sound far-fetched, but it’s no more unbelievable than the plot of End of Days itself. In the film’s finale, Schwarzenegger’s character, possessed by evil, is forced to make the ultimate sacrifice. It’s a wild ride—both on and off the screen.