Who is Patrick Schwarzenegger? Everything to know about the star of ‘The White Lotus’ season 3

The Santa Monica-born actor is about to enter a new level of fame in his own right. Though with that surname, there's no mistaking the identity of his father

By Tyler Dane Wingco

Published: Apr 1, 2025

patrick schwarzenegger — Patrick Schwarzenegger in Sydney celebrating the Australian launch of Max. Photography: Getty Images

PATRICK SCHWARZNEGGER has ascended a new rung of pop culture fame. With his role as the gym-cel Saxon Ratliff, you’re either reviled by the character or admiring his acting chops. He’s just that good in it. But wait, does that last name sound familiar? Seen together at the Los Angeles season premiere red carpet, the young actor was photographed with his father, that Arnold Schwarzenegger, as well as his mother Maria Shriver, (an American journalist and author, Shriver is a member of the Shriver and Kennedy families).

If there’s one thing we’ve learned from previous seasons of the hit series, it’s that anyone that stars in it is bound for overnight fame. So, in the spirit of getting to know The White Lotus’ new stars, here, everything you need to know about Arnold’s eldest son.

Patrick Schwarzenegger and ‘The White Lotus’ season 3 cast are in Sydney, Australia

The actor and some of his season 3 cast mates – Leslie Bibb (Kate), Natasha Rothwell (Belinda) and Morgana O’Reilly (Pam) – touched down in Sydney this week to celebrate the launch of the Max streaming service in Australia.

No, unfortunately the trip doesn’t include location scouting for The White Lotus season 4. The cast was also joined by Bella Ramsey of The Last of Us and other HBO titles debuting soon. From March 31, 2025, all HBO titles will be streamed on Max, and no longer Binge.

Patrick Schwarzenegger is in Sydney — Patrick Schwarzenegger in Sydney, Australia on Monday March 31. Photography: Getty Images

The White Lotus cast in Sydney — ‘The White Lotus’ season 3 cast in Sydney celebrating the launch of Max in Australia. Photography: Getty Images

Indeed, Patrick Schwarzenegger is the eldest son of the Terminator-turned-Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger. The young actor has three siblings and one half-brother (Joseph Baena, also an actor).

Arnold and Patrick Schwarzenegger at 'The White Lotus' premiere in Los Angeles. — Arnold and Patrick Schwarzenegger at ‘The White Lotus’ premiere in Los Angeles. Photography: Getty Images

It’s on his mother’s side, Maria Shriver, that the Santa Monica-born actor has roots in one of America’s political dynasties. Schwarzenegger is the great-nephew of former US president John F. Kennedy, by way of his maternal grandmother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the founder of the Special Olympics.

This also makes Schwarzenegger a first cousin once removed to political extremist Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is currently on his way to becoming President Donald Trump’s health secretary. RFK’s position and views on abortion and chronic illness is cause for much friction among the Kennedy cousins; whether or not members in the public eye will denounce his ascension as the country’s chief in health.

Jack Schlossberg, JFK’s only grandson and son to former US ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy, recently called out Schwarzenegger (the two are cousins) while promoting The White Lotus for not publicly speaking out about their relative.

What movies and TV shows has Patrick Schwarzenegger been in?

Thanks in no small part to his famous last name, Patrick Schwarzenegger has been acting since the age of 13. With his WASP-y, all-American good looks (also thanks to his mother Maria Shriver, a niece of former US president John F. Kennedy), his early roles consisted of playing jocks (2006’s The Benchwarmers) and frat boys (Grown Ups 2 in 2013). In another type-cast, Schwarzenegger starred in Ariana Grande’s 2013 music video of ‘Right There’ as, of course, Romeo.

Schwarzenegger’s TV appearances picked up in 2015, landing him in minor to recurring roles. In 2024, Schwarzenegger appeared on Shark Tank with his mother, pitching to sharks their protein bar business, MOSH. But it’s his role in Gen V, a spin-off of Amazon’s The Boys, as Luke Riordan/Golden Boy (with all the pomp and power his alias suggests) that’s his best known role yet.

But things may just be heating up for the actor, with the highly-anticipated release of The White Lotus season three, Schwarzenegger stars in the main cast as Saxon, the eldest son of this season’s dysfunctional family.

Jason Isaacs, Parker Posey, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Sarah Catherine Hook and Sam Nivola as the Ratcliff family in The White Lotus season 3 — Jason Isaacs, Parker Posey, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Sarah Catherine Hook and Sam Nivola as the Ratcliff family in ‘The White Lotus’ season three. Photography: courtesy of Binge

Who has Patrick Schwarzenegger dated?

Between 2014 to 2015, Schwarzenegger famously went out with singer and actress Miley Cyrus, her last relationship before marrying Liam Hemsworth.

In 2015, Schwarzenegger started going out with Abby Champion, an American model, after meeting through a mutual friend. In December 2023, the two announced their engagement, featuring a year later in Tommy Hilfiger’s autumn/winter 2024 campaign. Shot around New York’s Central Park, wearing the brand’s preppy Americana, the designer said at the time that “Patrick and Abby embody the next generation’s power couple”.