I Was the ‘Boys Have a Penis’ Kid from the Classic 1990 Film: A Look Back.

The action icon is rightfully celebrated as an action movie legend. But, at the height of his cinematic dominance in the late 20th century, he also starred in several critically acclaimed comedies. A prime example is Kindergarten Cop, which marks its 35-year mark this December.

The Role and That Line

In the 1990 movie, Schwarzenegger portrays a hardened detective who poses as a schoolteacher to locate a fugitive. For much of the story, the crime storyline functions as a loose framework for the star to film humorous interactions with kids. Arguably the most famous belongs to a little boy named Joseph, who spontaneously rises and declares the actor, “It's boys who have a penis, and girls get a vagina.” Schwarzenegger replies icily, “I appreciate the insight.”

The boy behind the line was portrayed by youth performer Miko Hughes. His career featured a notable part on Full House as the schoolyard menace to the Olsen twins and the character of the child who returns in the screen translation of Stephen King’s Pet Sematary. He still works in film today, with several projects on the horizon. He also is a regular on fan conventions. Recently recalled his experiences from the set of Kindergarten Cop 35 years later.

Behind the Scenes

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

Miko Hughes: My understanding is I was four. I was the youngest of all the kids on set.

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

Yeah, somewhat. They're snapshots. They're like mental photographs.

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

My family, especially my mother would take me to auditions. Frequently it was a mass tryout. There'd be 20, 30 kids and we'd all simply wait around, go into the room, be in there less than five minutes, read a small part they wanted and that's all. My parents would help me learn the words 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 impression of him?

He was very kind. He was playful. He was nice, which I guess makes sense. It would have been odd if he was a dick to all the kids in the classroom, that surely wouldn't foster a good work environment. He was a joy to have on set.

“It would be strange if he was unpleasant to all the kids in the classroom.”

I knew he was a major movie star because I was told, but I had barely seen his movies. I knew the air around him — he was a big deal — but he wasn't scary to 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 flex 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 like an iPhone. This was the hottest tech out there, that distinctive classic yellow cassette player. I used to rock out to the Power Rangers soundtrack and the Ninja Turtles soundtrack for a long time on that thing. It finally gave out. I also received a genuine metal whistle. He had the coach whistle, and the kids all received one too as well.

Do you remember your time filming as being enjoyable?

You know, it's amusing, that movie became a phenomenon. It was a major production, and it was an incredible opportunity, and you would think, looking back now, I would want my memories to be of working with Arnold, the legendary director, visiting Astoria, the production design, but my memories are of being a finitely child at lunch. Like, they got everyone pizza, but I avoided pizza. All I would eat was the toppings only. Then, the original Game Boy was new. 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 pass certain levels on games because I could do it, and I was quite pleased with myself. So, it's all childhood recollections.

That Famous Quote

OK, that specific dialogue, do you remember anything about it? Did you know what you were saying?

At the time, I probably didn't know what the word provocative meant, but I realized it got a reaction and it made adults 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 were still developing characters. Some character lines were written into the script, but once they had the kids together, it was more of a collaboration, but they developed it during shooting and, presumably the filmmakers came to my mom and said, "There's a concept. We want Miko to say this. Are you okay with this?" My mom paused. She said, "Let me think about it, I'll decide tomorrow" and took a short while. She really wrestled with it. She said she was hesitant, but she thought it would likely become one of the unforgettable moments from the movie and her instinct was correct.