TAFs Interviews Arnold's Clone: Lyndall Grant!
The Rise of an Arnold Impersonator!

Reported By: Randy Jennings
Tuesday, September 16, 2008

TheArnoldFans has interviewed many A-list celebrities over the years including Arnold Schwarzenegger himself for seven glorious occasions. But it's also just as fun to interview the Arnold impersonators throughout the world. Who can ever forget our own Brandon Krum's trickery when he had many convinced he was interviewing the real action hero while he was really chatting with "The Fake Arnold" from The Howard Stern Show? I've also interviewed an actor who played Arnold on a VH1 movie and even Harry Shearer - who gives us the voice for The Simpson's McBain! One other great Arnold impersonator is long-time TAFs reader Lyndall Grant. We've posted several stories on Lyndall's look-alike experiences but "it is time" to finally have a Q and A with our Arnold-resembling friend.

Lyndall Grant, in his early 50's, is still working hard at his Arnold career and will be featured in The Hillywood Show: Season 3.

Lyndall Grant: Hey Arnold Fans, I thought you'd like to see this new picture. This image is not even on my web site yet, but because I feel your site is the most respectable to Arnold, I wanted to give you the first opportunity to use it. The picture is a still from and actual action scene from The Hillywood Show and the UZI 9 MM is very real. Putting a machine gun in my hand was a big mistake.

Lyndall is awarding an autographed image of this Uzi photo to the first person in TAFs message board to name what cereal Captain Jack Sparrow is eating in the trailer? When Lyndall hits it big and also possibly stars in T5 or other cool projects, this could be a great collectible!

TheArnoldFans.com: I saw these girls at Comic Con this year but I didn't know who they were at the time. What can you tell us about them and their show?

Lyndall Grant: That little show is very popular and we are going to film some pretty cool stuff in the coming months. All based on Terminator one, serious, with a little campy comedy and time travel between movie sets. Those girls are very creative and hugely popular. We expect the Terminator series to push their current fan base out to infinity and beyond.

Check out the just-released trailer below by clicking on the image!

TheArnoldFans.com: How long now have you been doing these Arnold gigs?

Lyndall Grant: Since 1997, where I first worked for the San Francisco, Planet Hollywood as a photo double. I had only stopped in for a bite to eat when the manager there asked me if I would pose with a customer. Then 2 weeks later the same manager invited me back. To be dressed as the Terminator for a corporate party with Bayer pharmaceutical. I only worked corporate parties and special events. The food was always great. Back then, I always wore leathers head to toe, spending 20 minutes on the floor taking pictures and 10 minutes standing in the freezer to cool off. They paid me $500 the first time I worked, it was so much fun I would have done it for free.

TheArnoldFans.com: What are you top three Arnold films?

Lyndall Grant: The first Terminator, Predator and True Lies.

TheArnoldFans.com: Did you try out for Terminator Salvation?

Lyndall Grant: Too bad I didn't know about T4, as my very best images are that of the Terminator. The one Terminator print add I did for Sacramento was reviewed by Arnold's attorney, because they couldn't tell from looking at the add, if the picture was mine or his. Inasmuch, Sacramento had to submit the entire contact sheet from the studio that took the pictures. It was a compliment to me, but I wish I had been sued instead as it would have given me a set of legs to carry the image further than I ever could on my own. This goes to something Arnold once said. "You can have the best product in the world, but if you can't sell it, it won't ever make a difference.

TheArnoldFans.com: Have you ever met Arnold?

Lyndall Grant: No, not formally. However, I did in in fact once come face to face with him while I was filming for the city of Sacramento. His motorcade pulled into the court yard in front of the Esquire. Arnold and about 20 other’s, such as his security and other business associates made their way into the restuaraunt. I stood silent, in shock, as he walked right toward me. We were filming a scene outside the Esquire Grill for the “Meeting De’ Terminator.” That was part of a 2 million dollar ad campaign paid for by the City of Sacramento to promote both tourism and to encourage meetings planers to choose Sacramento as a destination.

TheArnoldFans.com: What would you like to say to him?

Lyndall Grant: If we were introduced, I would simply express that it was an honor to finally meet him. I would tell him “job well done” and that I admire his ability to stand up for his beliefs.

TheArnoldFans.com: How many other Arnold Impersonators do you know?

Lyndall Grant: As far as Arnold impersonators that I know of / or work in the entertainment business, there are only 2 or 3 of us. This also depends on how you define impersonator. Because there are stage doubles, studio doubles, photo doubles, voiceovers, look-alikes and impressionist. I myself am a studio look-alike. I also do voice over, photo double, corporate speaking and political comedy and impressions ,,,, as Arnold.

TheArnoldFans.com: Have you considered talking to the producers of The Sarah Connor Chronicles for a role?

Lyndall Grant: I really should have my agents work on that. It’s too bad, SCC has never made any offers but I'd be willing. If not, just stay tuned as the Terminator and/or this Arnold guy will be making his TV and movie debuts on several fronts in the coming months and T:SCC will be wondering how they missed me.

TheArnoldFans.com: How often do you work out?

Lyndall Grant: Almost everyday. But I balance my workouts in different areas. My main workout is Country couples dancing. Then I do Pilate’s 4 times a week. I run and then after that I do Body Building at Gold’s, the only gym that doesn’t have Girly Man‘s.

TheArnoldFans.com: Do you often get asked to pose for pictures when you're out on the town?

Lyndall Grant: Yes, I get approached far too often and worse yet, are the folks that’s don’t ask, they just shoot. My favorite response to the never ending question, “ did anyone ever tell you who you look like,” ,,,,, “ NO“,,,,,,, I reply,,,,,” you’re the first!”

TheArnoldFans.com: What's been your favorite Arnold gig?

Lyndall Grant: That’s tuff because I have done so many different kinds of gigs. As far as corporate speaking as The Governor, it was speaking for Nancy Reagan last year and watching her laugh when I drew the parallel to Ronald Reagan and Arnold. My line was, “ Ronald Reagan did the movie with a chimp and I did a movie with Danny Devito.”

But my favorite film production is definitely the last production where I got to shoot the UZI. That show is going to be a riot and be an overnight hit I believe. The UZI scene is absolutely astonishing in so many ways, the gun play of course sells it. Also, the way they filmed it and the overall image context is 100% Arnold. Everyone on set kept saying wow, lets do it again. Finally, we ran out of bullets. If you look closely, you can see an ear plug in my ear.

We'll report more soon on Lydall's career and keep you up-to-date with his new Terminator project! Any clone of Arnold's is a friend of ours.
Check out more at www.lyndallgrant.com

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TheArnoldFans Staff