Patrick Schwarzenegger, whose parents are Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver, admitted it’s “frustrating” when people credit his success to his famous parents.
Patrick spoke about the nepotism critiques while discussing his involvement in Season 3 of the beloved “White Lotus” franchise.
“I know there are people who’ll say I only got this role because of who my dad is,” he told the Sunday Times in an interview published Sunday.
Patrick, 31, pointed out that those same people who criticize his success often don’t know that he’s “had 10 years of acting classes,” “worked on [his] characters for hours on end” or experienced “hundreds of rejected auditions.”
“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,” he confessed. “But that’s a small moment. I would never trade my life with anyone.”
The actor added, “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.”
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Prior to acting as Saxon Ratliff in “The White Lotus,” Patrick had prominent roles in “Scream Queens,” “The Staircase” and “American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez.”
Patrick also credited his dad for his love of acting and said he began loving the craft “early, of course, given who my dad was.”
However, his parents also encouraged him to dip his toe into different industries, and he works with both of them on various professional projects.
“My dad was always a believer that you don’t need to fit into one box, that there are ways to let various worlds collide,” he said. “His advice is always on the side of working hard and vision and career. My mom is deeper with her advice, setting values of respect and kindness and manners, and always finding ways to give back.”
Patrick is one of Arnold and Maria’s four kids. His sister Katherine Schwarzenegger is married to Chris Pratt.
Arnold, 77, rose to fame as a bodybuilder before starring in several films and later becoming the governor of California from 2003 to 2011.
Meanwhile, Maria, 69, is a bestselling author and a former news anchor who comes from the famed Shriver and Kennedy families –– her uncle being former President John F. Kennedy.
The A-listers tied the knot in 1986, but they split in 2011. They went through a 10-year divorce battle after it was revealed he fathered son Joseph Baena with their housekeeper, Mildred “Patty” Baena.
English (US) ·