I'm Known As the ‘Boys Have a Penis’ Kid from the Classic 1990 Film: A Candid Conversation.

The action icon is best known as an iconic tough guy. But, at the height of his star power in the late 20th century, he also delivered several critically acclaimed comedies. A prime example is Kindergarten Cop, which hits its three-and-a-half decade milestone this winter.

The Story and An Iconic Moment

In the 1990 movie, Schwarzenegger plays a hardened detective who masquerades as a elementary educator to track down a criminal. For much of the movie, the crime storyline acts as a loose framework for the star to have charming moments with his young class. Without a doubt the standout involves a little boy named Joseph, who spontaneously stands up and declares the former bodybuilder, “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 former young actor Miko Hughes. In addition to this part included a character arc on Full House playing the antagonist to the child stars and the haunting part of the youngster who comes back in the screen translation of Stephen King’s Pet Sematary. Hughes remains active today, with multiple films listed on his IMDb. He also engages with fans at the con circuit. Not long ago recalled his recollections from the production 35 years later.

Memories from the Set

Question: Starting off, how old were you when you filmed Kindergarten Cop?

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

Wow, I don't recall being four. Do you remember anything from that time?

Yeah, a little bit. They're brief images. They're like mental photographs.

Do you recall how you were cast in Kindergarten Cop?

My parents, primarily my mom would take me to auditions. Often it was an open call. There'd be a room full of young actors and we'd all patiently queue, go into the room, be in there less than five minutes, read a small part they wanted and that's all. My parents would feed me the lines and then, as soon as I could read, that was probably the first stuff I was reading.

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

He was very kind. He was playful. He was nice, which arguably makes sense. It would have been odd if he was unpleasant to all the kids in the classroom, that probably wouldn't make for a productive set. He was great to work with.

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

I understood he was a huge celebrity because that's what my parents told me, but I had not actually watched his movies. I sensed the excitement — like, that's cool — but he didn't frighten me. He was just fun and I was eager to interact with him when he was available. He was occupied, of course, but he'd sometimes engage here and there, and we would hang off of his arms. He'd show his strength and we'd be dangling there. He was incredibly giving. He gifted all the students in the classroom a personal stereo, which at the time was a major status symbol. That was the hottest tech out there, that distinctive classic yellow cassette player. I played the Power Rangers soundtrack and the Ninja Turtles soundtrack for years on that thing on that thing. It wore out in time. I also was given a authentic coach's whistle. He had the coach whistle, and the kids all got a whistle as well.

Do you remember your time filming as being enjoyable?

You know, it's funny, that movie is such a landmark. It was a huge film, and it was such an amazing experience, and you would think, as an adult, I would want my memories to be of the star himself, the legendary director, visiting Astoria, the production design, but my memories are of being a selective diner at lunch. Like, 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 just released. That was the coolest toy, and I was proficient. I was the smallest kid and some of the bigger kids would ask for my help to pass certain levels on games because I was able to, and I was really proud of that. So, it's all childhood recollections.

The Line

OK, the infamous quote, do you remember anything about it? Did you know what you were saying?

At the time, I wasn't fully aware of what the word taboo meant, but I realized it got a reaction and it caused the crew to chuckle. I was aware it was kind of something I shouldn't normally say, but I was given approval in this case because it was humorous.

“She really wrestled with it.”

How it was conceived, from what I understand, was they hadn't finalized all the dialogue. Some character lines were established early on, but once they had the entire ensemble assembled, it wasn't pure improvisation, but they worked on it while filming and, I suppose it's either the director or producers came to my mom and said, "We're thinking. We want Miko to have this line. Are you okay with this?" My mom didn't agree right away. She said, "Give me a moment, I need time" and took a short while. She deliberated carefully. She said she wasn't sure, but she believed it could end up as one of the most memorable lines from the movie and she was right.