Patrick Schwarzenegger is no stranger to the Hollywood spotlight, but lately, he’s been making waves for reasons that go beyond his famous last name. The son of action legend Arnold Schwarzenegger has long battled the “nepo baby” label, striving to prove his chops as a serious actor. His latest role in Season 3 of HBO’s The White Lotus may be his most daring yet, including a scene that left viewers, and especially his dad, utterly speechless…
When Hollywood Royalty Gets Real: Arnold’s Priceless Reaction
In a recent Variety “Actors on Actors” interview, father and son got candid about everything from nepotism to nudity on screen, and Arnold’s reaction was nothing short of hilarious. The former Terminator star confessed that he was unprepared for the full frontal moment featuring Patrick.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Arnold shared with a chuckle. “I’m watching your show, and I see your butt sticking out there, and then, all of a sudden, I see the weenie. What is going on here? This is crazy.”
@varietymagazine Arnold Schwarzenegger jokes about seeing Patrick naked on screen: “I saw your weenie!” #ActorsOnActors
I had thought the days of me hearing “weenie” in reference to anything besides a hot dog was long over!
The moment prompted some self-reflection from Arnold, who jokingly reminded himself he’d done the same in his prime. “Then I said to myself, ‘Well, Arnold, hello. You did the same thing in Conan and Terminator, so don’t complain about it.’”
Patrick wasn’t going to let his dad off the hook that easily, firing back, “Well, Arnold, hello. You did the same thing, so don’t complain.”
Arnold laughed, admitting he was genuinely impressed by his son’s performance. “Your acting surprised the hell out of me. Not that I didn’t know you were good. But it was just unbelievable, the kind of stuff you did in the show.”
Mom’s Take: No Saxon Shenanigans Here
Patrick’s mom, Maria Shriver, also weighed in during an April 2025 TODAY show interview. She was quick to distinguish her son from the somewhat reckless character he portrays on The White Lotus, Saxon.
“Patrick is not like Saxon. I just want to clear that up,” she said with a laugh. “Because people say, ‘Is Patrick like Saxon?’ I’m like, ‘Do you think I would have raised a Saxon?’” Shriver added that she’s thrilled her son found his breakout role in the series.
Beyond the Name: Patrick’s Rise on His Own Terms
While Patrick Schwarzenegger’s famous family name undoubtedly opens some doors, the actor is making it clear that he’s here to stay on his own terms. His unapologetic vulnerability in The White Lotus, including that unforgettable nude scene, shows his commitment to fully inhabiting challenging roles and defying expectations.
For a young actor navigating Hollywood’s tricky waters, stepping out from under Arnold’s huge shadow isn’t easy. But Patrick’s bold choices and heartfelt performances are helping rewrite the narrative around nepotism and legacy.
Fan Reactions: Cheers, Laughs, and a Little Secondhand Embarrassment
Fans of the show quickly took to social media to share their reactions to the father-son nudity chat and Patrick’s candid new role.
One Twitter user quipped, “Arnold’s just being a dad—hilarious and awkward in the best way.“The weenie” comment got me.” Another chimed in, “Patrick out here taking nudity to a whole new level while dad’s over here trying to keep it cool 😂.”
Arnold’s just being a dad—hilarious and awkward in the best way.“The weenie” comment got me 😂
— Xpert Growth (@xpert_growth) June 3, 2025
Others praised Patrick’s dedication: “This is so adorable. Father and son interviewing each other and talking about weenies 😂”
The lighthearted, funny exchange between Arnold and Patrick has also sparked affectionate jokes about Hollywood dads reacting to their kids’ on-screen choices. Proof that sometimes, even legendary action heroes get caught off guard.
