Patrick Schwarzenegger Defends His Role In ‘The White Lotus’ Amid Nepotism Claims

February 25, 2025: Patrick Schwarzenegger, one of the standout performers of The White Lotus Season 3, has responded to claims that his role in the acclaimed HBO series was a result of nepotism. Known for playing Saxton Ratliff, a privileged character in the series, Schwarzenegger is the son of legendary actor Arnold Schwarzenegger and journalist Maria Shriver. Despite his family’s fame, the actor has openly pushed back against the notion that his career was built solely on his last name.

In an interview, Schwarzenegger shared his frustration, stating, “I know there are people who’ll say I only got this role because of who my dad is,” before adding, “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.”

The actor reflected on the challenges of being constantly associated with his parents’ renowned names, admitting that there were moments when he wished he didn’t carry the weight of his last name. However, he quickly acknowledged that these thoughts were fleeting.

Schwarzenegger’s acting career began in 2006 with a small role in The Benchwarmers before going on to appear in various films like Stuck in Love (2012), Grown Ups 2 (2013), and Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse (2015). He later transitioned to TV roles, including Scream Queens (2015) and The Long Road Home (2017), and more recently, The Staircase (2022) and The Terminal List (2022). Despite a steady rise in his career, it was his role as Saxton Ratliff in The White Lotus that has garnered widespread attention.

The third season of The White Lotus has been buzzing with discussions, particularly about Schwarzenegger’s character and his nude scenes. Reflecting on his experience, he admitted that when he first signed onto the show, he wasn’t fully aware of how explicit the content would be. “You do the auditions, but you don’t see the full script, so you don’t have all the details. Then they ask you, ‘Are you comfortable with nudity?’ when you sign on,” he explained.

Schwarzenegger continued, “At the end of the day, this character, from start to finish, is ridiculous and the type of person who absolutely would walk around his room naked without a care in the world.” He also mentioned that his character, a flirtatious and carefree individual, would approach anyone, regardless of age or status.

Although the third season of The White Lotus is only two episodes in, Schwarzenegger’s portrayal of Saxton Ratliff has already sparked a buzz on social media, and his performance is being praised for adding another layer to the show’s unique blend of drama and dark humor.