In a moment that surprised even him, Arnold Schwarzenegger found himself stunned by his son Patrick’s full-frontal nude performance on the HBO series The White Lotus, leading to a candid family conversation. Arnold Schwarzenegger surprised by son Patrick’s nude White Lotus scene, the iconic movie star reflected on the generational parallel during a discussion with Patrick, eliciting strong reactions from both father and son as well as those close to the family.
Arnold’s Unexpected Reaction to Patrick’s Role in The White Lotus
Arnold Schwarzenegger, a legendary actor famous for his bold roles in films like Conan and The Terminator, recently shared his genuine reaction after watching Patrick Schwarzenegger’s revealing appearance in season three of The White Lotus. The 31-year-old Patrick, son of Arnold and ex-wife Maria Shriver, played Saxon Ratliff, a character whose storyline in the series included a drug-fueled, incestuous threesome, bringing considerable attention to both the performance and the family.
The experience left Arnold incredulous and a bit bewildered by the on-screen exposure. In a June 3 Variety “Actors on Actors” conversation, Arnold recalled watching the scene and being truly taken aback. He admitted that seeing his son appear in such a daring fashion was unexpected for him.
“I said to myself, ‘I’m watching your show, and I’m watching your butt sticking out there,’”
—Arnold Schwarzenegger, Actor
“And all of a sudden, I see the weenie.”
—Arnold Schwarzenegger, Actor
Initially, Arnold deemed Patrick’s bold scene as “crazy,” but he also reminded himself of his own cinematic history. Arnold famously appeared nude for scenes in both Conan the Barbarian and The Terminator, something he pointed out to his son during their exchange.
“Well, Arnold, hello. You did the same thing in Conan and Terminator, so don’t complain about it.”
—Arnold Schwarzenegger, Actor
Still, Arnold admitted,
“But it was a shock to me that you were following my footsteps so closely.”
—Arnold Schwarzenegger, Actor
The comparison to his own film career gave Arnold pause. He reflected on his performance as the titular android in The Terminator, noting the differences between roles driven by physical aesthetics and those centered around machine-like detachment. He offered perspective on the limited and specific use of nudity in his movies.
“Terminator was the first time that I was doing a film that had nothing to do with the muscles.”
—Arnold Schwarzenegger, Actor
“It was with leather jackets on and being a machine,”
—Arnold Schwarzenegger, Actor
“Only the opening scene was naked. But I’m talking about naked.”
—Arnold Schwarzenegger, Actor
Despite the surprise, Arnold was effusive in his praise for Patrick’s performance, emphasizing the depth and commitment his son brought to the role, especially amid such intense and controversial storylines.
“Your acting surprised the hell out of me,”
—Arnold Schwarzenegger, Actor
“I didn’t recognize you. I was blown away.”
—Arnold Schwarzenegger, Actor
“Now everyone is coming up to me in the gym and saying, ‘Your son is fantastic.’”
—Arnold Schwarzenegger, Actor
The Schwarzenegger Family: Dynamic Lives and Evolving Roles
Arnold Schwarzenegger, renowned for his action star persona and public service as governor of California, is surrounded by a family whose members have each followed diverse paths in entertainment, philanthropy, and personal development. With former spouse Maria Shriver, Arnold’s children have become figures of note in their own right, forming a tightly connected yet high-profile family unit. Today, Arnold is not just a father but a grandfather, cherishing time with Katherine Schwarzenegger, Christina Schwarzenegger, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Chris Schwarzenegger, and Joseph Baena. He embraces his role as a grandfather to the children of Katherine and her husband Chris Pratt: Lyla, Eloise, and Ford.
“It’s the easiest thing to be a grandfather,”
—Arnold Schwarzenegger, Actor
“They come over to the house, you play with Lyla for around an hour or two, put her on the horse, put her with the dog. And after two hours, they leave.”
—Arnold Schwarzenegger, Actor
Maria Shriver’s Approach to Parenting and Family
Maria Shriver, who married Arnold in 1986 before divorcing in 2011 after public revelations about Arnold’s private life, has been recognized for how both she and Arnold jointly raised their children amid intense scrutiny. Chris Pratt, her son-in-law, publicly commended her ability to foster responsibility and values despite the privilege and visibility her children experienced.
“She and Arnold raised four amazing kids, and that’s not always an easy thing to do,”
—Chris Pratt, Actor
Chris Pratt reflected on challenges before asserting the importance of accountability, something he credits Maria with instilling in their family dynamic.
“I think she holds them accountable. When Maria walks in the room, you stand up. She’s big on manners, and she’s big on accountability, and she’s deeply rooted in her faith. These are all things that I definitely want to take and implement in the rearing of our children.”
—Chris Pratt, Actor
Patrick Schwarzenegger: Career, Identity, and Overcoming Assumptions
Born in 1993, Patrick Schwarzenegger is the eldest son of Arnold and Maria. Initially gaining attention for his famous family background, Patrick’s focus on craft and perseverance in acting has resulted in significant roles beyond The White Lotus, including American Sports Story, where he portrays Tim Tebow. Chris Pratt aided Patrick in his growth by encouraging him to prepare for demanding parts, such as Donny Mitchell in The Terminal List, which required tactical training and weight gain.
“I remember when Chris said, ‘Hey you know there’s this young role, Donny Mitchell, you’ll be the youngest in the platoon,”
—Patrick Schwarzenegger, Actor
“But if you want to get this role, I need you to go and try to get into character and really get this. I need you to gain 20 pounds and start tactical training, and know how they move, the body language, all this stuff.”
—Patrick Schwarzenegger, Actor
Patrick acknowledges that skepticism follows anyone with a recognizably prominent last name, but he is keen to distinguish his own efforts from presumed nepotism.
“I know there are people who’ll say I only got this role because of who my dad is,”
—Patrick Schwarzenegger, Actor
“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.”
—Patrick Schwarzenegger, Actor
In December 2023, Patrick became engaged to model Abby Champion, symbolizing another milestone for the growing Schwarzenegger clan.
Katherine Schwarzenegger: Balancing Public and Private Roles
The eldest of Arnold and Maria’s children is Katherine Schwarzenegger, born in 1989. She married actor Chris Pratt in 2019, forming a high-profile couple that garners media attention. Away from the spotlight, Katherine has established herself as an author, with works like The Gift of Forgiveness. Together, she and Chris have three children: Lyla, Eloise, and Ford. Katherine describes her journey into motherhood as a profoundly meaningful transformation in her life.
“When I became a mother, I felt like everything in my life had led me right to that baby being put on my chest, and it was perfect,”
—Katherine Schwarzenegger, Author
“Mom is the title I have always wanted and the role that I have looked forward to for as long as I can remember.”
—Katherine Schwarzenegger, Author
Their blended family also includes stepson Jack from Chris Pratt’s previous marriage to Anna Faris.
Chris Pratt: Navigating Family, Fame, and Public Scrutiny
Chris Pratt, well-known for roles in Parks and Recreation and the Guardians of the Galaxy series, places family at the heart of his public and personal life. However, his celebratory posts on social media sometimes come under sharp criticism. In one instance, social media users interpreted him thanking Katherine for their “healthy daughter” as insensitive to Anna Faris and Jack, resulting in widespread discussion.
“A bunch of articles came out and said, ‘That’s so cringeworthy. I can’t believe Chris Pratt would thank her for a healthy daughter when his first child was born premature. That’s such a dig at his ex-wife,’”
—Chris Pratt, Actor
The criticism weighed heavily on Chris, who expressed real emotion about how such coverage could impact his son Jack in the future.
“And I’m like, That is f–ked up. My son’s gonna read that one day. He’s 9. And it’s etched in digital stone. It really f–king bothered me, dude. I cried about it. I was like, I hate that these blessings in my life are—to the people close to me—a real burden.”
—Chris Pratt, Actor
Jack Pratt: Overcoming Early Challenges
Jack, the son of Anna Faris and Chris Pratt, was born premature in August 2012 and faced early medical challenges with extended neonatal intensive care, multiple surgeries, and therapy. His parents remain publicly supportive and often speak about the resilience and joy Jack has brought to their lives.
“The day came when I got to take Jack home,”
—Anna Faris, Actress
“And the first years were filled with doctor’s appointments, five surgeries, physical therapy, a lot of laughter—because Jack was and is the most adorable cutest thing I could ever have imagined.”
—Anna Faris, Actress
Expanding Schwarzenegger-Pratt Family
The family continued to grow with Lyla Marie Schwarzenegger Pratt, born in August 2020. Lyla’s name honors maternal grandmother Maria Shriver. Chris Pratt has shared glimpses of sibling dynamics, noting Jack’s patience and affection for his younger sister.
He’s really great with her,” —Chris Pratt, Actor
“She always wants to pull his glasses off his face, and he’s very patient with her. He’s a great big brother.”
—Chris Pratt, Actor
The arrival of Eloise Christina Schwarzenegger Pratt in March 2022 further solidified Chris’s experience as a dedicated father.
“I’m girl dad 2.0,” —Chris Pratt, Actor
“My oldest daughter is adjusting very well to being a big sister. At first, she was kinda like, ‘So, what’s the deal with that thing? What up with that? Look at me.’ And now, she’s very much embraced the idea. She constantly wants to hold her sister, and she’s just very, very sweet. That’s the stuff that’s important. It’s the stuff that life is made of, and I feel incredibly blessed and filled with joy.”
—Chris Pratt, Actor
Ford Fitzgerald Schwarzenegger Pratt was born on November 8, 2024, adding a new member to the family.
“Mama and baby are doing well and Ford’s siblings are thrilled by his arrival,”
—Katherine Schwarzenegger and Chris Pratt, Parents
“We feel so blessed and grateful.”
—Katherine Schwarzenegger and Chris Pratt, Parents
Christopher and Christina Schwarzenegger: Diverse Paths Away from the Spotlight
Christopher Schwarzenegger, the youngest son of Arnold and Maria, was born in 1997 and has largely kept out of public view. He serves as Vice Chair of the Special Olympics Founder’s Council and works as Director of Development at Indus Valley Media, with prior roles at Malka and under sports psychologist Trevor Moawad. Christopher completed his psychology degree at the University of Michigan. Christina Schwarzenegger, born in 1991, is involved in film and television as an executive producer, with notable work on the 2018 documentary Take Your Pills and its 2022 follow-up, Take Your Pills: Xanax.
Joseph Baena: Arnold’s Journey with His Eldest Son
Joseph Baena, born in 1997 to Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mildred Patricia Baena, was a subject of public intrigue after Arnold confirmed paternity years after Joseph’s birth. Arnold described the affair that led to Joseph’s birth as a significant personal mistake, but he emphasized his pride and love for Joseph regardless of circumstance.
“I had an affair in ’96,”
—Arnold Schwarzenegger, Actor
“In the beginning, I really didn’t know. I just started kind of feeling. The older he got, the more it became clear to me, and it was then just really a matter of how do you keep this quiet? How do you keep this a secret?”
—Arnold Schwarzenegger, Actor
Though reflecting on this period as a “major failure,” Arnold nonetheless values his relationship with Joseph.
“It was wrong what I did,”
—Arnold Schwarzenegger, Actor
“But I don’t want to make Joseph feel that he’s not welcome in this world because he’s very much welcome in this world. And I love him, and he’s turned out to be an extraordinary young man.”
—Arnold Schwarzenegger, Actor
Joseph shares his father’s passion for acting and fitness, has worked in real estate, and participated as a contestant on season 31 of Dancing With the Stars.
Anna Faris: Reflections on Marriage, Vulnerability, and Growth
Anna Faris and Chris Pratt were married from 2009 to 2017, with Anna previously wed to Ben Indra before marrying Michael Barrett. Anna has publicly discussed the differences in her marriages and the impact of fame on her relationships, acknowledging that she and Chris tried to present an idealized image even privately.
“I’m sure things were more transparent with my relationship with Ben,”
—Anna Faris, Actress
“but with Chris, I think that we both protected that imagery even within our close circles.”
—Anna Faris, Actress
Anna also commented on the competitiveness that sometimes developed from being married to other actors.
“My two other marriages were with actors, and I don’t think we did a great job of eliminating competitiveness—or at least I didn’t,”
—Anna Faris, Actress
“Being a proud person and not wanting to reveal vulnerability, any hints of competitiveness and comparison, I didn’t handle that very well, I don’t think, and I hope I’ve grown from that.”
—Anna Faris, Actress
The Lasting Impact of The White Lotus Scene and Family Legacy
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s reaction to Patrick’s scene on The White Lotus stands as a striking symbol of both generational change and familial bonds in Hollywood. With careers ranging across acting, writing, production, and advocacy, the Schwarzenegger family continues to shape and challenge public perceptions of fame and legacy. Patrick’s willingness to take on such a bold and controversial role, coupled with Arnold’s open responses, illustrates the intersection of personal ambition, family heritage, and the scrutiny that comes with public life. As the Schwarzenegger-Pratt lineage grows and transforms, their influence in both entertainment and broader culture remains significant, ensuring that moments like these continue to spark discussion and introspection for years to come.
