Schwarzenegger's acting career now on hold

LOS ANGELES (AP)

Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger delayed his Hollywood comeback Thursday as he braced for what could be a costly divorce prompted by revelations that he had an affair and child with a housekeeper who worked for his family for 20 years.

The former "Terminator" star told his talent agency to postpone all his movie projects that are currently under way or being negotiated until further notice, a statement from Schwarzenegger's office said.

Instead of another film, the actor could be starring in a big-money divorce case that will stand out even in a city that has seen its share of made-for-the-tabloids matrimonial splits.

His wife, Maria Shriver, the Kennedy heiress and former network TV anchor, stands to cash in big-time financially, according to prominent divorce attorneys.

Although California is a no-fault divorce state, meaning her husband's acknowledged philandering technically can't be used against him in court, the reality, attorneys say, is that it will be.

"Every judge would know about what happened, and I think would hold it against him," said attorney Robert Nachshin, who has represented the ex-wives of a who's who of entertainers that includes Will Smith, Rod Stewart and John Ritter. "Judges are human beings, and Maria will definitely be the sympathetic spouse."