I Was the ‘Penis and Vagina’ Kid from the Classic 1990 Film: A Look Back.

The Austrian Oak is universally recognized as an action movie legend. However, at the height of his blockbuster fame in the late 20th century, he also delivered several genuinely hilarious comedies. A prime example is Kindergarten Cop, which marks its 35th anniversary this winter.

The Story and An Iconic Moment

In the 1990 movie, Schwarzenegger embodies a hardened detective who poses as a schoolteacher to catch a killer. During the movie, the investigation plot serves as a basic structure for Arnold to share adorable moments with his young class. Arguably the most famous belongs to a student named Joseph, who unprompted stands up and informs the actor, “It's boys who have a penis, females have a vagina.” Arnold deadpans, “Thank you for that information.”

The boy behind the line was portrayed by child star Miko Hughes. Beyond this role featured a notable part on Full House as the schoolyard menace to the child stars and the haunting part of the child who returns in the film version of Stephen King’s Pet Sematary. He continues to act today, with several projects in development. He also frequently attends the con circuit. He recently shared his experiences from the production 35 years later.

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.

Wow, I can't remember being four. Do you have any memories from that time?

Yeah, somewhat. They're snapshots. They're like picture memories.

Do you recall how you got the part in Kindergarten Cop?

My parents, primarily my mom would take me to auditions. Frequently it was an open call. There'd be dozens of children and we'd all just have to wait, enter the casting office, be in there for a very short time, do whatever little line they wanted and that's all. My parents would coach me on the dialogue and then, once I learned to read, that was some of the first material I was reading.

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

He was incredibly nice. He was fun. He was nice, which arguably makes sense. It'd be weird if he was a dick to all the kids in the classroom, that likely wouldn't create a productive set. He was fun to be around.

“It would have been odd if he was mean to all the kids in the classroom.”

I understood he was a major movie star because that's what my parents told me, but I had not actually watched his movies. I sensed the excitement — he was a big deal — but he wasn't scary to me. He was merely entertaining and I just wanted to play with him when he wasn't busy. He was working hard, 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 holding on. He was exceptionally kind. He gifted all the students in the classroom a personal stereo, which at the time was the hottest tech. This was the coolest device, that iconic bright yellow cassette player. I played the Power Rangers soundtrack and the Ninja Turtles soundtrack for ages on that thing. It wore out in time. I also received a genuine metal whistle. He had the teacher's whistle, and the kids all received one too as well.

Do you remember your days on set as being positive?

You know, it's amusing, that movie was this cultural thing. It was a major production, and it was such an amazing experience, and you would think, looking back now, I would want my memories to be of the star himself, the legendary director, the location shoot, the production design, but my memories are of being a finitely child at lunch. For instance, they got everyone pizza, but I didn't even like pizza. All I would eat was the toppings only. Then, the first-generation Game Boy was new. That was the coolest toy, and I was proficient. I was the smallest kid and some of the bigger kids would hand me their devices to beat difficult stages on games because I knew how, and I was felt accomplished. So, it's all youthful anecdotes.

That Famous Quote

OK, the infamous quote, do you remember anything about it? Did you grasp the meaning?

At the time, I wasn't fully aware of what the word provocative meant, but I understood it was edgy and it got a big laugh. I knew it was kind of something I wouldn't usually utter, but I was given approval in this case because it was funny.

“She really wrestled with it.”

How it was conceived, according to family lore, was they hadn't finalized all the dialogue. Certain bits of dialogue were written into the script, but once they had the whole cast on the set, it wasn't necessarily improv, but they worked on it while filming and, presumably the filmmakers came to my mom and said, "There's a concept. We want Miko to deliver this dialogue. Are you okay with this?" My mom didn't agree right away. She said, "I need to consider this, I need time" and took a short while. It was a tough call for her. She said she was hesitant, but she believed it will probably be one of the unforgettable moments from the movie and her instinct was correct.