Patrick Schwarzenegger Claps Back at ‘White Lotus’ Nepotism Claims: “It’s Frustrating”

Patrick Schwarzenegger, currently making waves in Season 3 of The White Lotus, is eager to prove that his success is more than just a product of his famous lineage.

In the HBO series created by Mike White, Schwarzenegger portrays the affluent Saxton Ratliff. He is the progeny of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver.

“It’s common for people to assume I landed this role due to my father’s fame,” Schwarzenegger expressed in an interview with The Sunday Times. “What they don’t see is my decade of acting lessons, the weekly school plays, the countless hours I’ve dedicated to developing my roles, or the numerous auditions where I was turned down.”

He added, “It can be quite aggravating. There are times when you feel pigeonholed because of your surname and wish you didn’t carry it. However, those moments are fleeting.”

Watch on Deadline

Schwarzenegger’s initial foray into acting was as “Jock Kid Game #3” in the 2006 movie The Benchwarmers. His subsequent projects include Stuck in Love (2012), Grown Ups 2 (2013) as a Frat Boy, and Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse (2015).

His television debut came in 2015 with an episode of Ryan Murphy’s Scream Queens. He later appeared in The Long Road Home (2017), The Staircase (2022), The Terminal List (2022), and Gen V (2023). In 2024, Schwarzenegger collaborated again with Murphy on American Sports Story, portraying Tim Tebow.

Even though The White Lotus is just two episodes into its third season, Schwarzenegger has already attracted significant attention, particularly on social media, for his nude scenes in the drama.

“I wasn’t fully aware of the extent of nudity involved when I auditioned. You don’t get the entire script, so some details aren’t revealed until you are asked if you’re comfortable with nudity upon signing,” Schwarzenegger shared with The Times. “Ultimately, this character is ludicrous from beginning to end. He’s exactly the type of person who would stroll around his room naked without a second thought. He’s also the kind of guy who flirts with any woman by the pool, whether she’s a mom or a 22-year-old.”