Patrick Schwarzenegger, son of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver, addresses accusations that his casting in The White Lotus season 3 is a result of nepotism. In Mike White’s latest season of the highly acclaimed HBO/Max series, Patrick portrays Saxon Ratliff, the eldest of three from Timothy (Jason Isaacs) and Victoria (Parker Posey), who is vacationing with his family at a luxury resort in Thailand. His character in White Lotus season 3 is a notably abhorrent addition to the newest group of wealthy guests, hitting on several women to no avail and offering misogynistic advice to his younger brother, Lochlan (Sam Nivola).
In his interview with The Sunday Times, Schwarzenegger expressed his frustration over assumptions that his role was secured solely due to his family name. It seems the ongoing debate surrounding “nepo babies” in Hollywood continues with Schwarzenegger, as many second-generation actors face scrutiny over their success in the entertainment industry. Read what he had to say below:
I know there are people who’ll say I only got this role because of who my dad is. 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.
What Patrick Schwarzenegger In White Lotus Means
From “Frat Boy” To Leading Man
While Schwarzenegger’s father may have granted him access to Hollywood, his early career was defined by minor roles, often without names. His first credited role came in 2006’s The Benchwarmers, where he played “Jock Kid Game #3.” He continued to appear in small parts, including 2012’s Stuck in Love, 2013’s Grown Ups 2 (as “Frat Boy”), and 2015’s Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse. His first notable television role was in 2015, when he appeared in an episode of the Ryan Murphy-created TV series Scream Queens.
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Schwarzenegger steadily built his resume with roles in The Long Road Home, The Staircase, The Terminal List, and Gen V. He reunited with Murphy in 2024’s American Sports Story, portraying NFL quarterback Tim Tebow. Despite his growing presence in Hollywood, The White Lotus marks his biggest role to date. As Saxon, Schwarzenegger’s most high-profile gig also became his most revealing. Although only two episodes of White Lotus season 3 have aired, his performance has already generated buzz, particularly on social media, due to his nude scenes and comically “bro-ey” behavior.
Our Take On Patrick Schwarzenegger’s Nepotism Response
He Has To Prove His Stay At The White Lotus Resort
Schwarzenegger’s frustration is understandable. The actor has done his time with thankless background roles, but his name will often undermine his efforts. There are many aspiring actors without famous parents who spend years in classes, auditions, and minor roles without landing a major opportunity, a reality which leads many audiences to view actors with famous parents as undeserving of their own roles. The White Lotus will be Schwarzenegger’s biggest test yet, and while his last name may have helped get him in the room, his performance will determine whether he stays.
Source: The Sunday Times
The White Lotus
9/10
- Release Date
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July 11, 2021
- Network
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HBO
- Showrunner
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Mike White
- Directors
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Mike White
- Writers
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Mike White