Arnold Schwarzenegger's son Patrick slammed for 'clueless' nepo baby comments after landing White Lotus role

Patrick Schwarzenegger has been branded 'clueless' for his comments about being a nepo baby, with many slamming him for not recognizing his privilege as the son of Arnold Schwarzenegger. The 31-year-old White Lotus star, whose parents are the legendary A-lister, 77, and the former First Lady of California Maria Shriver, 69, voiced his frustration over his famous connections in a recent interview, adding that he has consistently put in the work to become an actor in his own right.

Referring to his role in the third season of Mike White's acclaimed HBO series, Patrick said: 'I know there are people who'll say I only got this role because of who my dad is.'. 'They're not seeing that I've had 10 years of acting classes, put on school plays every week, worked on my characters for hours on end or the hundreds of rejected auditions I've been on,' he continued.

'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.'. Speaking to Variety, he added: 'I would never trade my life with anyone. 'I'm very fortunate to have the life and family that I have, the parents I have and the lessons and values they've instilled in me.'.

However, Patrick's insightful comments failed to win over critics, with many instead slamming him for not acknowledging his privilege and that his surname alone would have helped open doors. The White Lotus actor Patrick Schwarzenegger has been branded 'clueless' for his comments about being a nepo baby.

The 31-year-old  star is the son of Arnold Schwarzenegger, 77, and the former First Lady of California Maria Shriver, 69. Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one blasted: 'Literally all a nepo baby has to say is "yes of course I got advantage, but I also have worked really hard and hopefully I prove myself" and everyone moves on.

'You think the thousands of actors without famous parents aren't working hard and taking acting classes.'. Another said: 'Nobody ever says actors with famous parents got a role because of their parent. What they say is those actors got auditions and connections and access to the best training and the free time to not worry about money because of their parent. Which is true!'.

Echoing a similar sentiment, another vented: 'You got to do all that stuff BECAUSE YOU'RE RICH AND FAMOUS, you absolute ding dong. 'That's what I detest the most about the nepo babies. WELL I TOOK 10 YEARS OF ACTING CLASSES! Who paid for them, b**ch? It's never about the work. It's the cluelessness.'.

'Nepo babies and their "plight,"' added a fourth. Another penned: 'I'd honestly love to know if Patrick Schwarzenegger even understands that there're thousands of straight white males who have made at least the same effort to make it as a Hollywood actor and have gotten nowhere because of the climate and their last name not being Schwarzenegger.'.

'Still got in that door because of his name,' wrote a sixth. 'Just own it.'. Speaking to Variety, Patrick said he felt 'frustrated' and 'boxed in' by his famous last name. The actor has been slammed for not acknowledging his privilege and that his surname alone would have helped open doors.

Patrick pictured with his mother Maria at the White Lotus season three premiere. A seventh said: 'No one is saying you didn't put in the work. We're saying you got to start with your foot in the door and already had connections. 'Nor did you have to work mediocre jobs to pay for things. How is that hard to understand.'.

Earlier this week, Patrick branded his controversial White Lotus character Saxon Ratliff 'a despicable douche who leads with his penis.'. The character is already diving fans after the show hinted at a possible incestuous relationship between himself and his brother and sister, played by Sam Nivola and Sarah Catherine Hook respectively.

Patrick told The Sun: 'Saxon is a douche who leads with his penis. He is despicable and outrageous.'. Patrick plays divisive character Saxon Ratliff in Mike White's acclaimed HBO drama. His on-screen siblings are played by Sam Nivola and Sarah Catherine Hook (pictured).

Discussing his eye-popping nude scenes, the actor admitted director White forced him to stop working out after hitting the gym too hard while on location in Thailand. After neglecting his exercise regime due to his busy schedule filming drama Billy Knight with Al Pacino, after touching down in Asia, Patrick began pumping iron religiously at 4am.