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For star kids, carrying a famous surname can feel like both a gift and a challenge. Patrick Schwarzenegger, son of legendary Arnold Schwarzenegger, knows this firsthand. Rather than shy away from it, Patrick has chosen to embrace his legacy—something his father is truly proud of. In a heartfelt chat for Variety’s Actors on Actors series, 31-year-old Patrick sat down with Arnold, 77, to discuss his Hollywood journey, handling the “nepo baby” label, and why owning the Schwarzenegger name was a decision he made on his own terms.

Patrick admitted that earlier in his career, he sometimes wondered if it would be better to use a different name instead of his own.

He shared that it took time to stop worrying about living in his father’s shadow and focus instead on carving his own path in his own way.

Arnold praised Patrick for keeping the Schwarzenegger name, joking that now he could take credit for his son’s success. He compared Patrick to Jamie Lee Curtis—another star who overcame nepotism as the daughter of actors Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh—saying that with genuine talent, the nepotism label can be erased.

Patrick, who appears in the third season of The White Lotus, also reflected on his upbringing and the values his parents instilled in him. He acknowledged the hard work his parents put in to provide him with opportunities and emphasized how their biggest advice—to work hard—has guided him throughout his career.

During their conversation, Arnold also praised Patrick for never asking him to leverage his influence or connections to secure acting roles.