Patrick Schwarzenegger recently told The Sunday Times that it’s frustrating to be viewed as a nepo baby amid critical acclaim for “The White Lotus” Season 3. The actor is the son of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver. Now two episodes into the new season of HBO’s Emmy-winning series, Schwarzenegger is already emerging as one of the cast’s breakouts for his performance as Saxton Ratliff, the privileged son of a corporate criminal who flirts relentlessly and has no problem being naked in the same hotel room as his younger brother.
“I know there are people who’ll say I only got this role because of who my dad is,” Schwarzenegger said. “They’re not seeing that I’ve had 10 years of acting classes, put on school plays every week, worked on my characters for hours on end or the hundreds of rejected auditions I’ve been on. Of course, it’s frustrating and you can get boxed in and you think at that moment, I wish I didn’t have my last name. But that’s a small moment.
“I would never trade my life with anyone,” Schwarzenegger continued. “I’m very fortunate to have the life and family that I have, the parents I have and the lessons and values they’ve instilled in me.”
Popular on Variety
Never one to ride the coattails of his famous last name, Schwarzenegger told People magazine earlier this month that he continues to take weekly acting classes in order to find new ways “to learn and grow” as a performer. That being said, it was watching his father’s profession that turned Schwarzenegger onto being an actor.
“Going to set with my dad, that’s where my first love for acting came from,” Schwarzenegger said. “He would always pull me out of school early. I would get to go to Universal Studios — I’d watch him go in as Dad, come out as Mr. Freeze. I would sit there all day and just be fascinated with everything about film.”
Arnold memorably attended the premiere of “The White Lotus” Season 3 and posed for pictures on the red carpet with his son. He then took to Instagram and posted a viral reaction to the episode.
“I was so pumped to take a break from filming to celebrate [Patrick Schwarzenegger] at the ‘White Lotus’ Season 3 premiere,” Arnold wrote. “What a show! I could claim to be surprised to find out he has a nude scene, but what can I say – the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Don’t miss it this Sunday – trust me.”
New episodes of “The White Lotus” Season 3 air Sundays at 9 pm ET on HBO and Max.