A previously untold and eye-opening story about the influential friendship between two undisputed icons of American culture—Andy Warhol and Arnold Schwarzenegger—that explores the complexities and seductions of celebrity.

New York City, 1976. On an unseasonably warm February evening, a giddy crowd of art world luminaries, literati, and celebrities, including Andy Warhol, gathered at the Whitney Museum of American Art to attend a special one-night event: Articulate Muscle: The Male Body as Art. Crowding into the fourth-floor gallery, they had come to see the then largely-unknown twenty-eight-year-old Arnold Schwarzenegger and other bodybuilders on display. That night would spark a friendship that would help propel Schwarzenegger to stardom and highlight Warhol’s unmatchable talent as a cultural mentor and power broker.

In this groundbreaking work of cultural history and criticism, acclaimed visual artist and critic Liz Linden chronicles the relationship between these two ambitious and influential figures. The Understudy follows Schwarzenegger and Warhol through the playful, hedonistic, culture-shifting art and social scenes of late 1970s New York, from bacchanalian afternoons at the Factory to star-studded dinners at Elaine’s to wild parties at Studio 54. Ever the eager and willing student, Arnold learned from Andy the power of being famous as he followed the artist into the hallowed worlds of the cultural elite. The two would influence popular culture and each other in profound and lasting ways.

Vividly recreating the raucous, glittering, and uninhibited culture of the '70s, The Understudy takes us into the world of the many larger-than-life figures who made it legendary: Grace Jones, Robert Mapplethorpe, Jackie O, Bob Colacello, Elaine Kaufman, Robert Rauschenberg, Roy Lichtenstein, President Jimmy Carter, Fran Lebowitz, among many more. Against this vibrant backdrop, Linden has created the definitive account of this remarkable yet little-known relationship, offering an intimate portrait of an avant-garde artist who was fascinated with stars and an ambitious young man who wanted desperately to become one, and did, not only summiting Hollywood but also becoming a powerful American politician.

The Understudy features a 16-page color-photo insert.

Step inside the dazzling world of late-1970s New York and uncover the surprising relationship that transformed the trajectory of fame, influence, and celebrity.

An Eye-Opening Story of Fame and Influence: Uncovers the little-known friendship between Andy Warhol and Arnold Schwarzenegger and its lasting impact on American culture.

The Making of a Star: Reveals how Warhol mentored Schwarzenegger, introducing him to influential circles and helping shape his path to global fame.

Inside New York's Most Legendary Scene: Recreates the art, nightlife, and celebrity culture of late-1970s Manhattan, from the Factory to Studio 54.

Rich Cast of Cultural Icons: Features unforgettable appearances by Grace Jones, Robert Mapplethorpe, Jackie O, Fran Lebowitz, President Jimmy Carter, Robert Rauschenberg, Roy Lichtenstein, and many others who defined an era.

Where Art, Celebrity, and Power Converge: Offers a compelling new perspective on the forces that shaped modern fame through the lives of two extraordinary cultural figures.

A Window into Changing Gender Norms: Portrays New York in the midst of the Gay Liberation and Women’s Liberation movements, as experienced by Schwarzenegger and Warhol.