Arnold Schwarzenegger reacts to son Patrick’s nude scenes in The White Lotus Season 3, expressing surprise and mixed feelings during a recent interview. The Hollywood legend discussed his candid reaction when he watched his son, Patrick Schwarzenegger, take on a daring role that included nude scenes, sparking both family reflection and public conversation.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Shares His Unfiltered Response
Patrick Schwarzenegger stars as Saxon Ratliff in the latest season of The White Lotus, portraying the eldest child in a complex family played by Jason Isaacs and Parker Posey. In a recent Variety’s Actors on Actors interview, Arnold joined his son to talk about their acting paths, where the conversation soon turned to Patrick’s bold scenes in the series.
When asked about witnessing his son’s performance, Arnold offered an honest reaction, stating it
“surprised the hell out of [him].”
—Arnold Schwarzenegger, Actor. He further commented on the unexpected nature of what he saw on screen, describing the situation as “unbelievable.” The pair discussed how Arnold was particularly taken aback during the moments when Patrick appeared nude, recounting his initial disbelief upon seeing those scenes.
A Family Tradition of On-Screen Daring
The reaction didn’t stop with shock alone. During the same interview, Arnold remarked,
“I couldn’t believe it. I said to myself, ‘I’m watching your show, and I’m watching your butt stick out there.”
—Arnold Schwarzenegger, Actor. He also shared his amazement at one especially revealing moment, simply declaring, “This is crazy.” Yet, Arnold also acknowledged his own history with similar roles, referencing classic films like Conan the Barbarian and The Terminator, and noting that he couldn’t truly protest about his son’s choices.
Reflecting further, Arnold admitted,
“It was a shock to me that you were following my footsteps that closely,”
—Arnold Schwarzenegger, Actor. His remarks highlight an unexpected parallel between their careers and showcase a blend of pride and surprise at how closely Patrick mirrored his father’s early film choices.
Public Praise and Patrick Schwarzenegger’s Perspective
Arnold not only reacted privately but also supported his son in public settings. He attended the Los Angeles premiere of The White Lotus Season 3 and shared his excitement online. On Instagram, Arnold wrote:
“I could claim to be surprised to find out he has a nude scene, but what can I say – the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
—Arnold Schwarzenegger, Actor.
Patrick, for his part, shed light on his approach to the character Saxon Ratliff in an earlier USA Today interview. Speaking about Saxon’s motivation, the Gen V star remarked,
“Saxon leads with his penis; quite literally, that’s how he walks.”
—Patrick Schwarzenegger, Actor. His honest reflection offers context to the bold scenes and underscores his commitment to the role.
Significance and What the Future Holds
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s candid reaction to his son Patrick’s performance in The White Lotus has drawn attention to their evolving family legacy in Hollywood. The veteran actor’s mixture of surprise and understanding reflects both generational shifts in on-screen norms and the pressures of following a famous parent’s footsteps. As Patrick continues to take on challenging roles, it’s clear the conversation around daring performances and family expectations will remain in the spotlight, further shaping the Schwarzenegger legacy.
