‘It comes with baggage’: Patrick Schwarzenegger almost ditched his famous surname before White Lotus made him a star in his own right

Patrick Schwarzenegger, who recently found breakthrough success with The White Lotus season 3, revealed he once considered changing his famous surname to avoid comparisons with his father, Arnold Schwarzenegger. The actor shared these thoughts during Variety’s Actors on Actors 2025 edition, where he sat down with his father to discuss their careers and experiences in Hollywood.

According to Hindustan Times, the younger Schwarzenegger’s journey in the entertainment industry began with minor roles in the 2000s, including appearances in films such as Stuck in Love, Grown Ups 2, and Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse. His first leading role came in the 2018 film Midnight Sun, followed by a recurring role in Gen V before his career-defining role in The White Lotus.

During the conversation with his father, Patrick revealed that The White Lotus creator Mike White acknowledged that the Schwarzenegger name “comes with baggage.” He explained that having successful parents like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver created additional pressure and scrutiny, with some people suggesting he got roles because of his parents’ influence.

How Arnold Schwarzenegger influenced his son’s career journey

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s own path to stardom began as a bodybuilder in Europe, leading to multiple Mr Olympia wins in the 1970s. He later transitioned to Hollywood, finding his breakthrough role in The Terminator in 1984, and eventually becoming one of the biggest movie stars of the 1980s and 1990s alongside Tom Cruise and Sylvester Stallone.

The weight of this legacy led Patrick to contemplate using an alias earlier in his career. He admitted to struggling with concerns about living in his father’s shadow versus forging his own path in the industry. However, he ultimately decided to keep the Schwarzenegger name.

Arnold expressed happiness about his son’s decision to retain the family name, stating that he could now “take credit” for Patrick’s success. The elder Schwarzenegger also drew parallels to other successful actors with famous parents, specifically mentioning Jamie Lee Curtis, whom he considers one of the greatest actors in history.

The conversation highlighted how Patrick eventually overcame the challenges of his famous surname, with 2025 marking the year he established himself as a name unto himself through his performance in The White Lotus. His success demonstrates that while a famous last name might open doors, it’s ultimately talent and dedication that sustain a career in Hollywood.