California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has returned to his action star roots by rescuing a child who collapsed during one of his political speeches.

Theo Scott-Femenella fainted while Schwarzenegger was speaking at his Sacramento high school on Thursday.

The star quickly leaped from the stage and swept him back to his feet.

The 12-year-old later said, "All of a sudden, I wake up and see Governor Schwarzenegger helping me up from the ground. I’m sure one side of me was thinking, ‘Cool, the governor’s helping me up.’ But wait, ‘I fainted in front of the Governor. Oh, no.’"