Which of the following well known personalities is a former professional bodybuilder who later became a major film star and also served as a state governor in the United States of America?

Introduction / Context:
Many action film stars have backgrounds in sports, wrestling or bodybuilding. Some of them move from entertainment into politics. This question focuses on a person who had a legendary bodybuilding career, became a famous Hollywood actor and later entered politics as a governor in the United States. Linking all three roles together helps you identify the correct personality.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The person was a former professional bodybuilder.
• He later became a major film star.
• He also served as a governor of a state in the United States.
• Options include several well known action actors and wrestlers.

Concept / Approach:
Arnold Schwarzenegger is the classic example that fits all parts of this description. He achieved fame by winning multiple Mr. Olympia bodybuilding titles, became a major Hollywood actor in films such as The Terminator series and then served as the Governor of California. The other options are prominent entertainers or athletes but did not combine all three roles of top level bodybuilding, major film stardom and governorship.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify which of the listed personalities is known primarily for competitive bodybuilding before acting.Step 2: Recall that Arnold Schwarzenegger won many bodybuilding titles and is often called a bodybuilding legend.Step 3: Remember that he later became a globally famous film actor in Hollywood.Step 4: Note that Arnold Schwarzenegger also served as Governor of California, completing the link to a state level political office in the United States.Step 5: Choose Arnold Schwarzenegger as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Comparing each option helps verify the result. Sylvester Stallone is a famous actor but not a former professional bodybuilder or governor. Dwayne Johnson has a background in wrestling and football, not in competitive bodybuilding at the level of Mr. Olympia. Steve Austin is a professional wrestler, and Jean Claude Van Damme is a martial artist and actor, but neither served as a governor. Only Arnold Schwarzenegger meets all three criteria.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Sylvester Stallone: Known for the Rocky and Rambo series, with a background in acting and script writing rather than professional bodybuilding and governance.
Dwayne Johnson: Also called The Rock, he transitioned from wrestling to acting but did not serve as a governor.
Steve Austin: A professional wrestler and actor, but not a former professional bodybuilder or United States governor.
Jean Claude Van Damme: Recognised as a martial artist and actor, not a bodybuilder turned governor.

Common Pitfalls:
Because several action stars have muscular physiques, students may assume that any of them were professional bodybuilders. The key is to remember the specific career milestones: Arnold Schwarzenegger's Mr. Olympia titles, his iconic action films and his later role as Governor of California. Keeping this combination in mind makes it easy to separate him from other actors and wrestlers in similar questions.

Final Answer:
The former bodybuilder who became a film star and later served as a state governor is Arnold Schwarzenegger.