Patrick Schwarzenegger Defends His Big Break in “The White Lotus”
Patrick Schwarzenegger is breaking the mold and stepping out of his father’s massive shadow. In a candid chat with The Sunday Times, the 30-year-old actor addressed rampant rumors that he landed his role in the highly-anticipated third season of HBO’s “The White Lotus” due to his famous dad—none other than iconic action star and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Patrick expressed his frustration over the assumptions that come with his last name, stating, “I know there are people who’ll say I only got this role because of who my dad is. But they’re not seeing the 10 years of acting classes I’ve taken or all the rejected auditions I’ve been on.”
Playing the character Saxon Ratliff, son of characters portrayed by Jason Isaacs and Parker Posey, Patrick’s role isn’t just a plum gig; it’s also a family affair because he gets to work and mingle with themes of family dynamics. He described the experience as a “dream” that had been a topic of conversation around the dinner table with his family. He shared, “Every time we would watch the episodes, my mom would ask, ‘Why aren’t you on the show?’ even adding a little pressure when my sister remarked, ‘You need to fire your agents.’”
But let’s not forget how he’s paid his dues. Before this major role, Patrick was busy building his resume, racking up credits in films like “Grown Ups 2” and a notable performance as Tim Tebow in “American Sports Story.” Not to mention, he’s been training rigorously for over a decade, diving deep into the craft of acting—a journey that many don’t get to see on the surface.
Schwarzenegger kept his casting a secret from his family until he simply couldn’t anymore during a family trip, where his mom and sister thought they were keeping a pregnancy under wraps instead. Picture a family restaurant filled with tears of joy—pure cinematic gold right there!
So while Patrick may need to deal with the burden of his dad’s legacy, he’s definitely carving out his own path in Hollywood—one that’s intimate, heartfelt, and undeniably his own. Watch him showcase his talent on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO’s “The White Lotus.”
Sources: Celebrity Storm Wire and Entertainment Weekly, People Magazine, Variety
