Arnold Schwarzenegger expressed his satisfaction with his son Patrick’s decision not to change his name, saying it helped avoid claims of nepotism in the acting career. The pair participated in a joint interview for Variety’s “Actors on Actors” series, where they discussed their experiences and careers.
Patrick, 31, revealed that he initially considered using an alias to avoid comparisons with his father but eventually decided against it. He told Arnold that he had to overcome his initial worries about living in the shadow of his famous father and instead focus on developing his own acting style.
Arnold praised Patrick’s decision, saying it allowed him to take credit for his son’s success without any nepotism concerns. He drew parallels with Jamie Lee Curtis, who also took her family name despite being a prominent actress in her own right. The Terminator star believes that if an actor can demonstrate their substance and talent, they can overcome the issue of nepotism.
The conversation also touched on Patrick’s career highlights, including his role as Saxon Ratliff in The White Lotus’ third season. He credited Arnold and his mother Maria Shriver with providing him with opportunities to pursue his acting dreams, emphasizing the importance of hard work and dedication.
In a separate Instagram post, Patrick described participating in the interview as an “incredible opportunity” that allowed for a candid conversation about their careers and experiences.
Source: https://people.com/arnold-schwarzenegger-glad-son-patrick-didnt-change-name-11747393