Patrick Schwarzenegger on ‘The White Lotus,’ Arnold’s Advice, & Hotel Breakfast Hacks

For Patrick Schwarzenegger, The White Lotus has been a very long time coming. The 31-year-old actor and, sure, son of Arnold Schwarzenegger has held supporting roles in Gen V (the spin-off of The Boys) and the real crime miniseries The Staircase, the place he starred along Colin Firth and his White Lotus costar Parker Posey. But touchdown a coveted section on Mike White’s massively common HBO Max anthology was once the USC alum’s “holy grail.” When he won the script, he instantly clocked his persona, Saxon Ratliff, because the religious successor to the jerky roles prior to now performed through Jake Lacy and Theo James within the display’s first two seasons. “I was a little nervous to take on another douche role and have to live up to their hype,” he says. He was once additionally cautious of ways audience may reply to his protein shake–chugging finance bro grew to become wannabe yogi. Even worse, Schwarzenegger needed to endure in silence, as he refused to break the sequence for even his fiancée, type Abby Champion. “I didn’t want to ruin the experience for her as a viewer.”

Luckily, audiences fed on Saxon, and particularly his particular bond along with his more youthful brother, Lochlan (performed through Sam Nivola). By the tip of the eight-episode season, the despicable Saxon had no longer simplest survived, however controlled to score a tiny shred of likability. And along with his convincing efficiency, Schwarzenegger is now a robust Emmys contender.

Were you keen on The White Lotus previous to getting the section?

During Covid, me, my fiancée, and my mother lived in combination, and we turned into obsessive about season 1. So, once I were given an electronic mail soliciting for a self-tape audition for The Secret Garden, written and directed through Mike White, I knew that it was once in reality The White Lotus. I needed to do 5 auditions. The ultimate one was once the scene the place the 2 ladies are telling me that I had a threesome with my brother, and I’m simply melting in my living room chair. That was once a amusing one to do. To get ready, I used to be with my actual brother, Christopher, and he was once taking part in the 2 girl portions. He began studying them, and he mentioned the road “I didn’t force your brother to jerk you off.” Christopher mentioned, “What happens in this?!” I used to be like, “Dude, just read it.” And I needed to swear him to secrecy.

Mike White makes his casts take the Enneagram take a look at. Do you keep in mind your quantity?

I took many checks—compatibility checks, the narcissist take a look at, I don’t even know. I will’t keep in mind my Enneagram quantity, however Aimee Lou [Wood] had some complete tale about who I used to be in my previous lifestyles, why I used to be born in September, and my Virgo signal and my emerging moon and some of these various things. I really like her. She’s this sort of nice human, nice actress, and nice buddy.

Audiences liked her, however additionally they ended up liking Saxon.

I’ve had some in reality bizarre studies the previous 10, 12 weeks with White Lotus popping out. Last week, I used to be on the health club with two of my buddies, and a man walked as much as me and mentioned, “I love your work, and I had to come over to you because my boyfriend just booked playing Saxon Ratliff in The Tight Lotus.” I mentioned, “What is that?” And he mentioned, “Tight Lotus—it’s a new porno coming out!” And I mentioned, “Excuse me?” And he is going, “Yeah—he’s playing you.” I used to be like, “Oh my god!”

Were you a theatrical kid?

My oldsters have movies of me dressed up in the lounge, pretending to be the weatherman or re-creating scenes. I did theater when I used to be slightly child. I requested my dad the day prior to this if he recollects going to my performs when I used to be in theater faculty. I’m nonetheless in theater categories. I’ve been for the previous 11 or 12 years since I graduated faculty.

Did you consult with your dad’s units rising up?

I grew up on a suite. It was once my favourite. My dad would yank me out of college early. My buddies and I’d take a seat behind his Hummer, and he would pressure us over to Universal Studios. When it was once his lunch damage, he had a golfing cart, and he would pressure us round to Jaws, King Kong, and Jurassic Park. We’d all the time finally end up on the craft truck. It was once the only time my dad allow us to consume bad. It was once heaven.

I’ve heard you’re in reality wholesome now.

I consume so much, however I’m wholesome. The factor they don’t let you know whilst you e book The White Lotus is that whilst you keep on the White Lotus, it’s no longer affordable. You would suppose you may get the entire meals without spending a dime whilst you’re running there, however it’s nonetheless a lodge. When you order room provider or pass to the eating place, you’re paying for the five-star lodge. But breakfast is incorporated, so I gamed the device. At 7 a.m., I’d display up and I’d have my breakfast and occasional, after which I’d pass to the health club round 9 or 10. And then, after my exercise, at 10:59, I’d display up for the tip of breakfast, and I’d simply consume it. I used to be most likely the least successful buyer for the Four Seasons. I don’t suppose they’ll ever have me again.

You studied trade at USC. Was that your dad’s recommendation?

He was once all the time like, “Look, if you want to do acting, great, but let me tell you from firsthand experience: I’ve been more successful and made more money in business than I have in film. Also, if you become a big movie star and you do two movies a year, you’re working eight months of the year. What are you going to do for the other four months?” He was once all the time telling tales about actors he knew who didn’t perceive budget. So he roughly egged me on to visit trade faculty. I’m happy I did.

Do you get starstruck even if you grew up round such a lot of well-known folks?

There are possibly 3 folks I’ve gotten in reality starstruck through: Guy Fieri, Brad Pitt, and Leo[nardo DiCaprio]. I requested for a photograph with Guy Fieri, however no longer with Brad Pitt or Leo. And then I am getting starstruck once I’m running with anyone I appreciate and glance as much as, like Colin Firth.

You have been each nice in The Staircase. Do you suppose Michael Peterson killed his spouse?

Yeah, come on. I imply, you might have two [women] who finally end up useless on the backside of the steps. It’s loopy.

Did you might have any cinematic crushes whilst you have been a child?

I liked Cameron Diaz rising up, in Charlie’s Angels and The Mask. And Jessica Alba. Paul Walker was once additionally up there. He was once simply Mr. Cool.

What’s your puppy peeve?

My fiancée infrequently cracks her neck once I’m about to go to sleep. I listen it, and it wakes me up. I additionally suppose it’s slightly ordinary when folks put on sandals to the airport, after which they take their sneakers off at the aircraft and so they’re barefoot. Also, tuna fish on a aircraft is a no.

Do you might have any secret talents?

I’m a espresso gourmand. I used to be the individual on The White Lotus set who despatched folks to other espresso retail outlets. My space looks as if I’m in a laboratory, like I’m Walter White. I’ve those other beakers and programs for chilly brew. I love sturdy black espresso, like, fuel sturdy. I don’t like watery espresso. It has to jolt me.

Do you sing karaoke? What’s your go-to music?

Karaoke is amusing for 2 various kinds of folks, those that are skilled, nice singers, and those that are terrible. I’m terrible, and I do know I’m terrible. The White Lotus set had numerous karaoke nights. Tayme [Thapthimthong], who performs Gaitok, the safety guard, comes out and begins making a song those stunning songs. Then he finds to everybody that he was once on Thailand’s model of American Idol. Natasha [Rothwell] could also be an important singer. And then, clearly, Lisa [Manobal]. Jason Isaacs and I sang “We Are Family,” and Parker Posey and I sang George Michael’s “Freedom! [‘90]” and “Faith.”

Are you more like a cat or a dog?

I’m a canine. I really like snacks, lounging round, and going out on walks. I love being with other folks. I think like cats are off on their very own.

Produced through AP Studio, Inc.; govt manufacturer: Alexis Piqueras; manufacturer: Anneliese Kristedja; manufacturing supervisor: Hayley Stephon; manufacturing coordinator: Kaitlyn Fitzpatrick; lighting fixtures technician: Eduardo SilvA; lab: picturehouse+thesmalldarkroom; retouching: picturehouse+thesmalldarkroom; type assistants: Tyler VanVranken, Amir La Sure, Celeste Roh, Lila Hathaway, Natalie Mell; manufacturing assistants: Linette Estrella, Ariana Kristedja, Sammi Kulger, Ryan Carter, Cameron Bevans, Chase Walker, Rory Walsh; hair assistants: Courtney Peak, Austin Weber, Simone Domizi; make-up assistants: Mika Iwata, Anna Kurihara, Nana Hiramatsu; nail clipping assistant: ​​Rieko Smith; set assistants: Kevin Kessler, Cedar Kirwin, Paul Levine; tailor: Lindsay Amir Wright; tailor’s assistant: Natalie Wright.