Hollywood has long been a family business, where last names open doors faster than talent alone ever could. And now, another famous offspring is stepping into the limelight. Patrick Schwarzenegger, son of legendary action star and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, landed a role in the third season of HBO’s The White Lotus.
Given the show’s knack for satirizing wealth and privilege, casting a nepotism baby almost feels like an inside joke. While some are excited to see Patrick take on the role, others are questioning whether he earned it or simply cashed in on the Schwarzenegger brand.
Like many before him, Schwarzenegger insists he’s worked hard to make it on his own, despite the undeniable boost that comes with his last name. But will his performance prove the skeptics wrong, or is this just another case of Hollywood handing out golden tickets to the already fortunate?
Patrick Schwarzenegger’s role on The White Lotus, talent or nepotism?
The luxury resort drama, known for its biting social commentary, may have just cast its most ironic role yet, a star with a name so big that it’s impossible to ignore. Despite the undeniable power of his last name, Patrick Schwarzenegger insists that he worked hard to land the gig. In a recent interview with the Sunday Times, he said,
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. I would never trade my life with anyone. I’m very fortunate to have the life and family that I have, the parents I have and the lessons and values they’ve instilled in me.
He even went so far as to say he wishes he didn’t have the Schwarzenegger name, as if it hasn’t been the golden ticket to his career. It’s a classic nepotism baby move, acting like Hollywood is a fair and level playing field.
To be fair, Schwarzenegger did audition for The White Lotus and he did put in the effort. But in an industry where networking is everything, having Arnold Schwarzenegger as your dad is like having the cheat code to success. The real question now is, will his performance prove he deserves the role, or will audiences see him as just another product of Hollywood nepotism?
Fans wonder if this is just another nepotism baby success story
As soon as the casting news dropped, social media was divided. While some fans were excited to see what Patrick Schwarzenneger would bring to the show, others couldn’t help but roll their eyes at yet another nepotism baby landing a high-profile role. The skepticism isn’t new, Hollywood has seen its fair share of celebrity offspring who struggle to convince audiences they belong.
Ha yeah and your last name played no role in it at alll. Whatever dude! if he really wanted pull the “I made it on my own card” he’d have pulled a Nick Cage and changed his last name.
— doomguy255 (@doomguy255) February 24, 2025
Maybe the dude can act, but he’s out of his mind if he thinks being the son of a Schwarzenegger and a Kennedy didn’t help him land roles.
— AdamInHTownTX (@AdamInHTownTX) February 24, 2025
The name adding some weight to the cast, and knowing he doesn’t need top dollar to take a part. Definitely has advantages.
— KGSummer (@HiKGSummer) February 24, 2025
He joins a long list of actors who have benefitted from famous parents, including Lily-Rose Depp, who once dismissed nepotism claims in an interview with Elle by saying,
It’s weird to me to reduce somebody to the idea that they’re only there because it’s a generational thing. It just doesn’t make any sense. If somebody’s mom or dad is a doctor, and then the kid becomes a doctor, you’re not going to be like, “Well, you’re only a doctor because your parent is a doctor.”
Then there’s Brooklyn Beckham, who pivoted from photography to cooking to whatever he’s doing now, proving that connections can take you anywhere, even if talent doesn’t. On the other hand, some nepotism babies have acknowledged their privilege.
Jamie Lee Curtis, daughter of Hollywood royalty Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, openly called herself a “nepo baby” and credited her parents for opening doors. Maybe Schwarzenegger should take notes.
Whether Patrick Schwarzenegger’s performance in The White Lotus will silence the critics remains to be seen. But for now, the internet remains skeptical, waiting to see if he’ll deliver more than just the Schwarzenegger name.
The White Lotus can be streamed on Max.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
