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Arnold Schwarzenegger made a joke about ex-wife Maria Shriver during Chris Wallace’s Sept. 18 Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremonyJoking about Wallace and his ex both being journalists, he said, “The only difference between Chris and Maria is that Chris has never taken half of my money”Schwarzenegger and Shriver, who separated in 2011 and share four kids, continue to be on good terms
Arnold Schwarzenegger is looking back on his divorce from Maria Shriver with levity.
Speaking as one of the guests at Chris Wallace’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 18, the actor-politician made a joke about his ex-wife that drew awkward chuckles from the crowd on Hollywood Boulevard.
“The reason why I know he’s a fantastic journalist is because I know a lot about journalists,” said Schwarzenegger, 78, of Wallace. “I’ve been interviewed, you can imagine, in my lifetime, by thousands and thousands of journalists.”
He jokingly added, “Not only that, I also was married to a journalist. The only difference between Chris and Maria is that Chris has never taken half of my money.”
Schwarzenegger and Shriver, 69, were married in 1986 and separated in 2011, finalizing their divorce in 2021. The exes share four kids — daughters Katherine and Christina and sons Patrick and Christopher — while Schwarzenegger also fathered son Joseph Baena with former housekeeper Mildred Patricia Baena.
Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2003.
George Pimentel/WireImage
The two remain close, spending family occasions together as recently as Patrick’s Sept. 6 wedding to Abby Champion. The Fubar star told The Hollywood Reporter in 2023 that while his split from Shriver was “very difficult” and “my failure,” the former couple are “really good friends and very close, and we are very proud of the way we raised our kids.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger at the ceremony honoring Chris Wallace with a Star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame on Sept. 18.
Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty
Speaking to PEOPLE in March about her book of poetry, I Am MariaShriver said that she’s “really happy with my life and my work with my children. Arnold and I are in a good place. We laugh a lot about our kids, our grandkids, ourselves, and we are proud of the fact that we are still in conversation. For almost 50 years!”
This isn’t the first time Schwarzenegger has joked about finances in reference to his divorce. In May during Amazon’s Upfront 2025 Presentation, the former California governor called his 1996 hit Jingle All the Way “the greatest Christmas movie of all time,” quipping, “I know because my ex-wife calls me about the residual.”
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Wallace, 77, was honored at his star ceremony by Schwarzenegger and comedian Jay Leno. Walk of Fame producer Ana Martinez said in a statement that the broadcaster’s star would be “unveiled right next to the star of his father Mike Wallace, a true testament to their unmatched contributions to the news and entertainment industry.”
(Left-right:) Arnold Schwarzenegger, Chris Wallace and Jay Leno at the ceremony honoring Chris Wallace with a Star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame on Sept. 18.
Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty
Following Season 2 of Schwarzenegger’s action comedy Fubar premiering on Netflix in June, his upcoming projects include holiday movie The Man with the Bag, in which he’ll play Santa Claus.


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