Patrick Schwarzenegger Talks ‘The White Lotus,’ Arnold’s Advice, and Hotel Breakfast Hacks

In The White Lotus, Patrick Schwarzenegger plays Saxon Ratliff, a finance bro turned wannabe yogi. Despite his initial nervousness about taking on another “douche” role, audiences loved his character’s special bond with his brother, Lochlan. Patrick’s convincing performance has even sparked Emmy buzz for him.

Before landing the role, Patrick and his family were already big fans of the show. In fact, he and his fiancée, along with his mom, became obsessed with the first season during the Covid lockdown. When he was asked to audition for The Secret Garden, which was really code for The White Lotus, he had to go through five auditions to prove himself. The final scene, involving a threesome with his brother, was a particularly memorable one for him.

Patrick’s life growing up was filled with visits to his dad’s movie sets. His dad, Arnold Schwarzenegger, would often whisk him out of school to explore Universal Studios and indulge in craft trucks. Despite his healthy lifestyle now, he found a way to “game the system” during filming of The White Lotus by strategically timing his trips to the breakfast buffet.

Even though Patrick studied business at USC on his father’s advice, he pursued acting as well. Arnold always emphasized the importance of understanding finances in the entertainment industry, and Patrick is grateful for the business education he received.

Despite growing up around famous people, Patrick still finds himself starstruck at times. Some notable encounters include Guy Fieri, Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, and working with actors like Colin Firth, whom he greatly admires.

As a fan of Cameron Diaz, Jessica Alba, and Paul Walker growing up, Patrick appreciates the impact of on-screen crushes. When it comes to The Staircase, he doesn’t hold back in sharing his thoughts on the case: “Come on. I mean, you have two [women] who end up dead at the bottom of the stairs. It’s crazy.” With his engaging performances and grounded perspective, Patrick Schwarzenegger is making a name for himself in the entertainment industry.