And in an interview with the Times back in February, Patrick opened up about the frustration that he felt as a result of his last name — and how he even briefly wished that he wasn’t a Schwarzenegger so that he could avoid the nepo baby backlash.
If you’re wondering, Patrick’s dad is Hollywood actor, esteemed bodybuilder, and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and his mom is Maria Shriver, a journalist and the niece of former US President John F. Kennedy.
“I know there are people who’ll say I only got this role because of who my dad is,” Patrick said at the time. “Of course, it’s frustrating and you can get boxed in, and you think at that moment: I wish I didn’t have my last name. But that’s a small moment. I would never trade my life with anyone.”
And Arnold confronted his son over this comment when they were paired up for Variety’s latest Actors On Actors series. In the video, which dropped on Tuesday, Arnie expressed his confusion over how “Schwarzenegger” could ever be considered a hindrance, as it has always been “a big plus” in his experience.
He said to his son: “One of the quotes that I read was how it was difficult to get through this because you have the name Schwarzenegger. So explain that to me, because I didn’t understand it.”
“I mean, from my side, I feel it in multiple different ways,” Patrick said of the obstacles that come with Schwarzenegger. “Mike White said it comes with baggage, is what he said. Not meaning our last name, Schwarzenegger, but I think this idea of when you have successful parents, like I do with you and with mom.”
“Well, I’m glad that you kept the name,” Arnold replied before joking: “Because now I can take credit: ‘Yeah, my son! The apple doesn’t fall from the tree!’ That’s the kind of lines that I’m using now.”
The 77-year-old star then pointed out that nepotism in Hollywood is nothing new, saying: “You basically joined the shortlist of people that are actors in Hollywood who had famous parents; Jamie Lee Curtis with Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh. Michael Douglas, who I have worked with — and I’ve worked with his father, Kirk Douglas.”
What do you make of Patrick and Arnold’s conversation? Let me know in the comments below!
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