I Was the Iconic Line Kid from Kindergarten Cop: A Candid Conversation.

The Austrian Oak is best known as an action movie legend. However, at the height of his cinematic dominance in the late 20th century, he also headlined several critically acclaimed comedies. Chief among them is Kindergarten Cop, which hits its 35th anniversary this winter.

The Story and The Famous Scene

In the hit comedy, Schwarzenegger embodies a undercover cop who masquerades as a elementary educator to catch a killer. During the film's runtime, the investigation plot serves as a simple backdrop for Arnold to have charming interactions with kids. The most unforgettable belongs to a little boy named Joseph, who out of nowhere announces and informs the stoic star, “It's boys who have a penis, girls have a vagina.” Arnold replies icily, “Thanks for the tip.”

The young actor was portrayed by former young actor Miko Hughes. His career included a notable part on Full House as the bully to the Olsen twins and the haunting part of the child who returns in the screen translation of Stephen King’s Pet Sematary. He continues to act today, with a slate of movies on the horizon. He also engages with fans at popular culture events. Not long ago discussed his recollections from the set of Kindergarten Cop over three decades on.

Behind the Scenes

Interviewer: First, how old were you when you filmed Kindergarten Cop?

Miko Hughes: I think I was four. I was the most junior of all the kids on set.

That's remarkable, I don't recall being four. Do you have any memories from that time?

Yeah, a little bit. They're brief images. They're like visual recollections.

Do you recall how you were cast in Kindergarten Cop?

My mother, mainly would take me to auditions. Often it was an open call. There'd be dozens of children and we'd all patiently queue, go into the room, be in there less than five minutes, deliver a quick line they wanted and that's all. My parents would coach me on the dialogue and then, once I learned to read, that was the initial content I was reading.

Do you have a specific memory of meeting Arnold? What was your impression of him?

He was extremely gentle. He was fun. He was good-natured, which arguably stands to reason. It would have been odd if he was a dick to all the kids in the classroom, that likely wouldn't create a positive atmosphere. He was great to work with.

“It'd be weird if he was a dick to all the kids in the classroom.”

I knew he was a huge celebrity because I was told, but I had barely seen his movies. I knew the air around him — it was exciting — but he didn't frighten me. He was just fun and I only wanted to hang out with him when he wasn't busy. He was occupied, of course, but he'd kind of play with us here and there, and we would dangle from his limbs. He'd show his strength and we'd be hanging off. He was really, really generous. He purchased for each child in the classroom a personal stereo, which at the time was like an iPhone. It was the coolest device, that distinctive classic yellow cassette player. I used to rock out to the Power Rangers soundtrack and the Ninja Turtles soundtrack for years on that thing on that thing. It finally gave out. I also received a authentic coach's whistle. He had the coach whistle, and the kids all were gifted copies as well.

Do you remember your time filming as being fun?

You know, it's interesting, that movie is such a landmark. It was a huge film, and it was an incredible opportunity, and you would think, in retrospect, I would want my memories to be of collaborating with Schwarzenegger, the direction of Ivan Reitman, traveling to Oregon, seeing the set, but my memories are of being a selective diner at lunch. For instance, they got everyone pizza, but I wasn't a pizza fan. All I would eat was the toppings only. Then, the Nintendo Game Boy was just released. That was the hot thing, and I was proficient. I was the smallest kid and some of the older kids would bring me their Game Boys to beat difficult stages on games because I knew how, and I was quite pleased with myself. So, it's all childhood recollections.

The Infamous Moment

OK, the infamous quote, do you remember anything about it? Did you understand the words?

At the time, I likely didn't understand what the word shocking meant, but I realized it got a reaction and it caused the crew to chuckle. I knew it was kind of something I wouldn't usually utter, but I was given special permission in this case because it was comedic.

“My mom thought hard about it.”

How it originated, according to family lore, was they were still developing characters. Certain bits of dialogue were part of the original screenplay, but once they had the kids together, it wasn't pure improvisation, but they refined it on set and, reportedly someone in charge came to my mom and said, "We're thinking. We want Miko to say this. Are you okay with this?" My mom didn't answer immediately. She said, "I need to consider this, I need time" and took some time. She deliberated carefully. She said she had doubts, but she felt it would likely become one of the most memorable lines from the movie and her instinct was correct.