“Whenever I’m surrounded by nature, that’s where I prefer to express my prayers or make a gratitude list,” shared Patrick Schwarzenegger. Lately, he’s been reflecting on his blessings, despite his latest role being anything but sacred. He portrays the infamous Saxon Ratliff, the eldest son from a wealthy family vacationing in Thailand, in the newest season of HBO’s “The White Lotus.”
Saxon is a jaw-droppingly superficial character – obsessed with sex and constantly guzzling protein shakes, his toxic masculinity even irritates his sister. How does one even audition for such a role?
Schwarzenegger mentioned he was only given a brief description of Saxon’s animated character: “The note said, ‘He flirts with anything.’ So, I started off by just staring lovingly at the camera.”
Did he have any doubts? “Absolutely, I was concerned,” he admitted. “I didn’t want him to come off as a one-dimensional character.”
Initially, he had no idea how sexually awkward things would become. “During my audition, they asked, ‘Are you comfortable performing sexually? Are you okay with nudity?'” Schwarzenegger recalled. “I had an inkling of the show’s direction, but not the full extent.”
To view a trailer for Season 3 of “The White Lotus,” click on the video player below:
The show’s creator, Mike White, has consistently pushed boundaries over three seasons, crafting intriguing mysteries that critique the wealthy and elite vacationers at White Lotus resorts globally – a universe Patrick likely comprehends well. Schwarzenegger joked, “Mike would always say, ‘You don’t look rich. You don’t carry yourself like a rich person. Aren’t you a Schwarzenegger? Aren’t you a Kennedy? Don’t you have real wealth?'”
The series’ first season, set in Hawaii, premiered during the pandemic in 2021, and it hit close to home for Schwarzenegger and his family. “It was just me, Abby, my fiancée, and my mom,” he said. “We were all living together during the pandemic. So you can guess how entertaining that was! They always said, ‘You must audition for this role, it’s perfect for you.'”
His fiancée is fashion model Abby Champion; his mom is journalist Maria Shriver, part of the Kennedy clan, and his dad is well-known in his own right.
Arnold Schwarzenegger has mentioned that he didn’t recognize his son in this character. “It would be a bit concerning if he did!” Patrick chuckled.
His family, being his best friends, also serves as his biggest supporters. When he landed the role, it brought tears of joy. Patrick Schwarzenegger has emerged from “The White Lotus” as a noteworthy talent, aiming to dispel any insinuations of nepotism.
In a recent dialogue on Variety’s “Actors on Actors,” Arnold said, “For me, the name Schwarzenegger has always been an asset.”
Patrick confessed that he once contemplated using a different name: “There were moments when I thought about whether it would be better to go by an alias. Would it make sense to use a different name?”
“I’m glad you stuck with our family name because I can take pride in it,” Arnold responded. “My son! The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
Growing up, Patrick looked up to his father, frequently visiting movie sets that felt like his playground. By age 13, he was on set himself, but he rarely mentioned his dad. “I understand my last name comes with connections that might help, but I wanted to forge my own path.”
Nonetheless, he did adopt his father’s approach to finances – how to manage a business and build a brand. “When I was 10, my dad let me handle his memorabilia,” Patrick recalled. “I sold various photos of him at Muscle Beach and framed them. I even got replicas of the Conan swords and had him sign them to sell for $10,000 each. I didn’t profit, it was just a way to learn how to sell.”
He later majored in business at USC, starting college just a year after his parents exited the California Governor’s office. After all, politics run in the family – as do the values of public service. His grandfather, Sargent Shriver, was the first director of the Peace Corps, and his grandmother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founded the Special Olympics.
When asked about a potential political career, Patrick responded, “We were raised to find ways to give back early on. It doesn’t have to involve holding public office.”
Through it all, acting remained his primary focus. He dedicated a decade to acting classes, gradually building his resume, and recently starred alongside Colin Firth in HBO’s mini-series “The Staircase.” He noted that it was the first chance for people in the industry to see him in a serious role. “Before that, some may not have taken me seriously. They didn’t know if I was genuinely committed to my craft.”
WATCH: “The White Lotus” clip: Saxon and Timothy
In this scene, Saxon Ratliff (Patrick Schwarzenegger) questions his father, Timothy (Jason Isaacs), about problems at the office. [Spoiler: Things are NOT going well at the office.]
He hopes his next role features a character with fewer flaws than Saxon Ratliff. However, Patrick Schwarzenegger would gladly return to the White Lotus if Mike White called him back. “I told him, if you don’t hire me again, I’ll come work in craft services,” he joked. “I’d even help scout locations because I just want to be part of the journey.”
WATCH AN EXTENDED INTERVIEW: Patrick Schwarzenegger (Video)
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Story produced by Reid Orvedahl. Editor: Lauren Barnello.
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