Arnold Schwarzenegger spoke with his son Patrick about how the name feels on his shoulders. The talk happened on an episode of Variety’s Actors On Actors. Father and son kept their words short and linked their thoughts closely.
Patrick works in Hollywood for more than ten years. He starred in season three of HBO’s White Lotus. Even with his own skills, he faces news reports that point to his family ties. Such ties sometimes add extra weight to his work.
In a past interview, Patrick said he sometimes sees his name as a heavy chain. He noted that some claim he earned his role only because of who his father is. At times, he even thought of changing his name to take a lighter step forward.
Arnold shared his side by saying that the name Schwarzenegger has always stood strong for him. He asked his son to show him what the name means in Patrick’s eyes. Their talk put old views and new ideas close together.
Patrick also recalled that the creator of White Lotus, Mike White, worried over casting him. White feared that fans might quickly judge the role as a favor from his famous family. Patrick admitted he felt hurt by the thought of needing a new name just to escape that link.
Arnold said that family ties are common in Hollywood. He mentioned actors like Jamie Lee Curtis and Michael Douglas as clear examples. He believed that true skill and hard work push aside any talk of family help.
Patrick agreed that he has benefited from his family’s hard work, yet he keeps a strong resolve to win on his own. He repeated the simple rule he grew up with: work hard and keep your focus.
With a smile, Arnold joked about his pride. "Yes, my son! The apple does not fall far from the tree," he said. His warm tone and humor shone through as he voiced his joy.
The father and son left the talk with clear minds and joined thoughts. Patrick’s path is his own, even as his family name stays close by.