Arnold Schwarzenegger may have been a trailblazer for action heroes going full-frontal in Hollywood, but even he wasn’t quite prepared to see his own son do the same on screen. During a candid conversation for Variety’s Actors on Actors series, Arnold sat down with his son, “The White Lotus” star Patrick Schwarzenegger, to discuss everything from navigating Hollywood as a so-called “nepo baby” to the boldest decisions they’ve made in their careers, including appearing nude on screen.
“I couldn’t believe [it],” Arnold said, recalling the moment he watched his son’s now-famous season 3 scene on HBO’s hit drama. “I said to myself, ‘I’m watching your show, and I’m watching your butt sticking out there.’ And all of a sudden, I see the weenie. What is going on here? This is crazy!”
While the “Terminator” icon admitted it took him by surprise, he quickly acknowledged the irony. “Well, Arnold, hello. You did the same thing in ‘Conan’ and ‘Terminator,’ so don’t complain about it,” he quipped, before adding with a laugh, “It was a shock to me that you were following my footsteps so closely.”
Patrick seemed a little red-faced, choosing not to dwell on the moment and instead shifting the conversation toward the directors they’ve both worked with throughout their careers. The internet, however, didn’t let the moment slide so easily. Social media lit up with mixed reactions to the father-son exchange, with some calling the conversation “bizarre” and “uncomfortable.” “They are so weird and creepy,” one social media user wrote, while others praised the duo for their open and humorous approach. “Love these two!” someone said. “Legends run in the family,” another commented.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Says He Was ‘Blown Away’ by Son Patrick’s ‘White Lotus’ Performance
Still, Arnold made it clear that beyond the surprise, he’s genuinely proud of Patrick’s performance in “The White Lotus.” “Your acting surprised the hell out of me,” he told his son during the sit-down. “I didn’t recognize you. I was blown away.”
Patrick responded with equal sincerity. “This is a surreal moment for me,” he shared. “As much as we get to talk, we would never have a 45-minute conversation about acting.”
According to the younger Schwarzenegger, the exposure from “The White Lotus” has helped shine a new light on his work after years of flying under the radar. “I’ve done so many shows that not so many people have seen,” he said. “Now, people come up to me, and they recognize the work.” And that includes fans at Arnold’s gym, apparently. “Someone comes up to me and says, ‘Your son is fantastic,’” Arnold shared. “And then someone else comes up and says, ‘I hated your son in the series.’”
Whether you loved Patrick’s performance or were just caught off guard like his famous dad, it is clear that the Schwarzenegger legacy continues to evolve, one bold role at a time.
