Arnold Schwarzenegger Puts Hollywood Career on Hold as His Family Falls Apart

May 19, 2011— -- With his personal life in shambles, former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has asked his talent agency to put all of his entertainment projects on hold until further notice.

"Governor Schwarzenegger is focusing on personal matters and is not willing to commit to any production schedules or timelines," Schwarzenegger's office said in a statement, according to The Associated Press. "This includes 'Cry Macho,' 'The Terminator' franchise and other projects under consideration. We will resume discussions when Governor Schwarzenegger decides."

Schwarzenegger is represented by the major Hollywood talent firm Creative Artists Agency. One of his first post-political projects was "The Governator," a comic book series and cartoon based on his life and family that he was developing with Spider-Man co-creator Stan Lee. He was slated to portray a superhero.

It's the latest turn of events after Schwarzenegger's revelation that he had a love child with a former household staffer. His announcement today came on the heels of a report that his estranged wife, Maria Shriver, hired high-profile divorce lawyer Laura Wasser. Wasser represented Britney Spears when she divorced Kevin Federline.

A representative for Shriver declined ABCNews.com's requests for comment on the report.

Newly revealed birth records show that Shriver's youngest son with Schwarzenegger and his love child were born less than a week apart. The mother of the love child, Mildred Patricia Baena, listed her then-husband as the boy's father on the child's birth certificate in 1997.

She filed for separation three weeks later, according to the Dissolution of Marriage documents filed with the courts. She checked the box indicating that she and her husband had no children together, records show.

The reason for the separation: "Irreconcilable differences."

Going by the name "Patty," Baena reportedly worked in the family home as a housekeeper and assistant for more than 20 years, until this January.

As for Schwarzenegger, he has a financial obligation to care for his illegitimate child, family law experts say.

"In this particular situation with this child, he's on the hook for child support potentially but not spousal support or property division because these parties aren't married," family law attorney Steve Mindel told Los Angeles ABC News affiliate KABC. "It's just a child-support situation."

Reaction to Scandal

Baena, the boy and her three other children live in a four-bedroom home in Bakersfield, Calif., about an hour north of Los Angeles.

Neighbors were shocked by the news of the scandal.

Marty Steelman told KABC that Baena's teenage son is "polite and very cordial, someone you want to be around."

Eric Bauman, vice chairman of the California Democratic Party and chairman of the Los Angeles Democratic Party, has called for an investigation to see whether Schwarzenegger misused public money.

"Quite frankly, as it's always the case in these personal matters, it's not the action that's the problem. It's the cover up that's the problem," Bauman told KABC.

California's former first couple announced their separation last week after Shriver learned about Schwarzenegger's child born out of wedlock.

The two have been married for 25 years and have four children together.

Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger's Marriage

"After leaving the governor's office, I told my wife about this event, which occurred over a decade ago," Schwarzenegger, 63, said in a statement this week. "I understand and deserve the feelings of anger and disappointment among my friends and family. There are no excuses and I take full responsibility for the hurt I have caused. I have apologized to Maria, my children and my family. I am truly sorry."

On Monday, Shriver, 55, asked for privacy and compassion.

"This is a painful and heartbreaking time," Shriver said in a statement. "As a mother, my concern is for the children. I ask for compassion, respect and privacy as my children and I try to rebuild our lives and heal. I will have no further comment."

Shriver appeared at Oprah's star-studded farewell show taping Tuesday night in Chicago.

"For more than 30 years you have bestowed upon me the most amazing friendship. You have shown love, support, wisdom, and most of all, the truth?" Shriver said at Tuesday's taping.

She paused for a moment after she uttered the phrase "the truth."

"After leaving the governor's office, I told my wife about this event, which occurred over a decade ago," Schwarzenegger, 63, said in a statement this week. "I understand and deserve the feelings of anger and disappointment among my friends and family. There are no excuses and I take full responsibility for the hurt I have caused. I have apologized to Maria, my children and my family. I am truly sorry."

On Monday, Shriver, 55, asked for privacy and compassion.

"This is a painful and heartbreaking time," Shriver said in a statement. "As a mother, my concern is for the children. I ask for compassion, respect and privacy as my children and I try to rebuild our lives and heal. I will have no further comment."

Shriver appeared at Oprah's star-studded farewell show taping Tuesday night in Chicago.

"For more than 30 years you have bestowed upon me the most amazing friendship. You have shown love, support, wisdom, and most of all, the truth?" Shriver said at Tuesday's taping.

She paused for a moment after she uttered the phrase "the truth."