Patrick Schwarzenegger Strips Down for His Boldest Role Yet in ‘The White Lotus’

By age 31, Patrick Schwarzenegger has already achieved a major career milestone, and he's not done yet. He revealed that his recent role in The White Lotus Season 3 was a significant career achievement—one he desired deeply. Now in 2025, he is setting his sights on projects from the likes of Christopher Nolan and Steven Spielberg and says he would even be an extra just to get to work with them, as The Hollywood Reporter conveys.

In the hit TV show The White Lotus, Schwarzenegger plays Saxon Ratliff, an arrogant, narcissistic ‘finance bro’. He credits his confidence to the people in his life and to TV, especially Bradly Cooper in Wedding Crashers. It took considerable effort and collaboration with creator Mike White to perfect Ratliff’s movements and smug demeanor.

Where did Schwarzenegger get the confidence to go nude? 

Patrick Schwarzenegger’s breakout role in The White Lotus season three didn’t just test his acting chops, it pushed him to shed all inhibitions, quite literally. His nude scene in the very first episode wasn’t written for shock value, but instead emerged naturally from his understanding of Saxon, a brash, entitled finance bro who, according to Patrick, “leads with his private parts.” Schwarzenegger recalls saying that Saxon “Isn’t a guy who wears pajamas. He sleeps naked. His brother being in the room wouldn’t change that at all.” He stressed that it wasn’t a power play, just Saxon being unapologetically himself: a guy convinced the world is watching and admiring him. 

Patrick’s confidence to take on such an exposed and ego-driven role didn’t appear overnight. He’s spent nearly a decade honing his craft in weekly theater and acting classes, building the foundation to embrace risky roles like this one. His time filming in Thailand, which he likened to an extended summer camp packed with bonding dinners, boat trips, and elephant visits, further helped him settle into the role. Support from seasoned castmates like Walton Goggins also boosted his self-belief. Even while flying back to the U.S. mid-shoot for campaigns with Tommy Hilfiger and Armani, something he admits feeling a bit guilty about due to the environmental impact, Patrick stayed committed. The experience gave him more than just a memorable screen moment; it marked a real turning point in his confidence and career.