Joseph Baena talks about handing over his dad to Arnold Schwarzenegger in “DWTS”

Like father Like Son.

Joseph Baena did not have to look too far for inspiration for “Disney + Night” in “Dancing With the Stars” because he was driving his famous dad, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The fitness model and his professional partner, Daniella Karagach, played in the Charleston ballroom in the style of “Hercules” in the ballroom, and Baena portrayed the character his father was famous decades ago in the 1970 movie “Hercules in New York”.

Speaking to Page Six after the show, Baena, 25, said he and 75-year-old Schwarzenegger had “laughed a lot” about the whole idea before the show.

“It wasn’t until this week that I realized he – I mean I always knew he made this movie, but this week I remembered that he made Hercules in New York because he did everything, Baena explained, noting that he would be “absolutely” ready to shoot “Hercules” live someday.

“The fact that he played that movie was just so funny that I made contact. We talked about it, we laughed about it, ”he continued. “It was one of his first films and probably not one of his favorites. But it was one of my favorite dances so I was very excited.

“Hercules in New York,” which was Schwarzenegger’s acting debut, was directed by Arthur Allan Seidelman. Arnold Stang and Deborah Loomis as Pretzie and Helen also starred in the fantasy-comedy film.

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As for Baena and Karagach, their Hercules deal received a total score of 28/40 from judges Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaby, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli. The show also marked the much-anticipated return of Karagach to the ballroom after having to miss the last two weeks due to COVID-19.

The 29-year-old Emmy-nominated choreographer told us she was delighted to be back and reunited with Baena, who was temporarily competing with professional athlete Alexis Warr.

“I feel so damn good I missed it,” she raved, and Baena added, “She’s back and better than ever. I’m so excited and so happy to have her back. “

Dancing With the Stars returns Monday and Tuesday at 8:00 PM EST, 5:00 PM PT on Disney +. The rest of the participants will present performances that will present their “Most Memorable Year”, followed by an episode on the theme of “Ballroom Evening”.

“This will be a very positive year that we’ll talk about,” Baena teased the story he would reflect on through his dance. “So that’s exciting.”

Baena is the only son of Schwarzenegger from Mildred Baena, the former hostess of the actor. The Terminator star has four other children – Katherine, 32, Christina, 31, Patrick 29, and Christopher, 25 – with Maria Shriver.