February 20, 2025 – you’re at a restaurant, bursting with a secret so big you can barely sit still, and your mom suddenly guesses you’re about to be a dad. That’s the hilarious, tear-jerking scene Patrick Schwarzenegger lived through when he told his family he’d snagged a role in The White Lotus Season 3. The son of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver, Patrick’s got a story that’ll make you smile—and maybe grab a tissue.
The Big Reveal That Went Hilariously Off-Script
Patrick couldn’t wait to spill the beans, but he had to play it cool at first—HBO had sworn him to secrecy. So there he was, sitting with his mom, Maria Shriver, and sister, Katherine Schwarzenegger, trying to drop hints without giving it away. In a video he shared on Instagram, you can feel the tension as he dances around the news. Maria, picking up on his weird vibes, jumps in with, “Are you pregnant?” Cue his fiancée, Abby Champion, yelling, “No!” from across the table.
When Patrick finally let it slip—“I’ll be going to Thailand”—the restaurant turned into a waterfall of happy tears. “Maria thought Abby and I were pregnant. She might have been happier than I was!!” he wrote in the caption. “And then I started crying. She did. Katherine did. Was a domino effect.” It’s the kind of moment you’d see in a feel-good movie, except it was real—and in public, with other diners probably wondering what was up.
A Family Obsessed with The White Lotus
This wasn’t just about a job for Patrick—it was personal. “My whole family are huge fans of the show,” he said, laughing about how they’d tease him, saying he had to get on The White Lotus somehow. If you haven’t seen it, the show’s this brilliant mix of dark humor and fancy resort drama, created by Mike White. Season 3, which just hit HBO, takes us to Thailand, and Patrick’s playing Saxon Ratliff—a slick finance guy with a shady streak.
For Patrick, landing this role was like winning the lottery. “It was one of those dream come true moments for me,” he wrote. And you can tell his family felt it too—Maria even posted, “The White Lotus is one of my favorite shows of all time. I can’t wait to visit you on set!” Imagine your mom fangirling over your job and planning a trip to crash it. That’s the Schwarzenegger-Shriver vibe.
Maria and Katherine: The MVP Cheerleaders
Maria Shriver, who’s a big deal in journalism, turned into a giddy kid when she heard the news. “Patrick, Patrick, Patrick! I’m so proud of you!” she wrote on Instagram, half-joking about wanting spoilers because, well, she’s his mom—she’s allowed to ask. Katherine, his big sister and a writer herself, was right there with her, crying and cheering. It’s clear this family doesn’t do anything halfway—when they’re happy, everyone knows it.
Patrick said it best: “It’s a special moment when you get to celebrate with people you love.” You can almost hear the clinking glasses and feel the hugs through the screen. They’re the kind of crew who’d turn any milestone into a party.
Arnold’s Dad Joke Steals the Show
Of course, Arnold Schwarzenegger had to chime in—and he didn’t disappoint. At the Season 3 premiere, he saw Patrick’s nude scene and grinned, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” Yep, the guy who stripped down in The Terminator couldn’t resist a proud-dad jab. Patrick just laughed it off, proving he’s got his dad’s chill attitude. It’s these little family quirks that make the whole story so lovable.
The Struggle of Keeping It Quiet
Here’s the thing: Patrick wanted to scream this news from the rooftops, but he couldn’t. “It was very top secret,” he told Today. The only one who got the scoop early was Abby, his fiancée—he couldn’t keep it from her after popping the question just a week before. But then came the kicker: filming in Thailand for seven months. “I was like, ‘I’m not going to see you for the next seven months, so I apologize in advance,’” he said, half-laughing, half-wincing.
The audition itself was a mystery too. Codenamed “Secret Garden,” he got barely a sentence about Saxon Ratliff. With a nudge from brother-in-law Chris Pratt, he threw in some flirty charm and landed it. That’s grit—and a little family magic.
Meet Saxon Ratliff: Patrick’s Big Break
So who’s this Saxon guy? Patrick describes him as “douchey, flirty,” and kind of a jerk—but the kind you weirdly root for. He’s the son of a rich businessman (played by Jason Isaacs), strutting around Thailand’s luxe resort scene. “I wanted him to be despicable but funny,” Patrick told Vanity Fair. The season’s getting rave reviews—93% on Rotten Tomatoes—and Patrick’s holding his own with pros like Leslie Bibb and Carrie Coon.
He’s soaking it all in, too. “The other actors and actresses on the show are truly brilliant,” he said. “Was a masterclass getting to learn from them.” You can feel his excitement—it’s like he’s still pinching himself.
Patrick’s Journey: From Family Teases to Hollywood Spotlight
At 31, Patrick’s no stranger to the industry—think Moxie or The Staircase—but The White Lotus feels different. “I’m so thankful to Mike White & David Bernad & casting director Meridith Tucker for taking the chance on me,” he wrote. It’s a big step, and his family’s right there, cheering loudest. Maria’s already been to Thailand to see him on set, living out her promise.
This isn’t just about fame—it’s about a guy who loves what he does, backed by a family who’d cry in a restaurant for him. “See you at the White Lotus!” Maria said. Honestly, who wouldn’t want to join that party?
Catch Patrick in The White Lotus Season 3
If you’re itching to see Patrick as Saxon Ratliff, The White Lotus Season 3 is streaming on HBO now. It’s glamorous, twisted, and totally binge-worthy. Patrick and his family’s story might just make you love it more. So grab some popcorn, watch, and tell us—did their reaction hit you in the feels too?