Who Is Patrick Schwarzenegger? Meet The 'White Lotus' Star And Son Of Hollywood Royalty
He's fast becoming one of the breakout stars of the third season of The White Lotus, but there's more to Patrick Schwarzenegger than meets the eye.
Not only is the California native descended from both political and Hollywood royalty, but he's also the son of the former two-time Governor of California and the fiancé of a successful model.
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From his family and acting credentials, to his romantic relationship, here’s everything you need to know about The White Lotus' Patrick Schwarzenegger.
Who is Patrick Schwarzenegger?
Patrick is the third child of Terminator actor and former Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger and journalist, former First Lady of California and a member of the prominent Shriver and Kennedy families, Maria Shriver. Maria is a niece of the late American president John F. Kennedy, and American senators Robert F. Kennedy and Ted Kennedy.
Patrick, who was raised in Brentwood, California and attended the University of Southern California, told his parents from a young age that he wanted to be an actor, and they were both nothing but supportive of his aspirations to pursue a career in Hollywood. 'No matter how crazy my dreams are, they are supportive because my dad had some pretty wild dreams himself and he made them happen,' Patrick told W Magazine in 2018 in reference to his father’s previous roles as a body builder, actor, and two-term governor of California. 'I think it’s a little surreal for them to see their kid — maybe I shouldn’t say that, I guess now I’m an adult — working! Just doing what I love to do.'
Which TV shows and films has Patrick Schwarzenegger starred in?
Patrick made his big screen debut with a brief cameo in 2006's Benchwarmers and has since added films like Netflix's Moxie in 2021 and HBO Max's true crime series The Staircase in 2022 to his résumé. While cutting his teeth, Patrick also starred in Ariana Grande‘s music video for her 2013 single 'Right There,' and featured in Scream Queens in 2015.
Landing the role of Saxon on The White Lotus season three was a 'dream' for the fan of the series, whose video audition for creator Mike White was exactly what he was looking for. 'I heard it was exactly the vibe that they wanted for Saxon. Once I got the role, (White) was like, "This is what I'm looking for,"' Schwarzenegger told USA Today, who shed tears of joy with his family when he was cast, posting an emotional video on Instagram.
Is Patrick Schwarzenegger in a relationship?
In December 2023, the USC graduate announced his engagement to longtime girlfriend, model Abby Champion, in a joint Instagram post that showed their beach proposal (and her new ring).
'💍❤️FOREVER AND EVER ❤️💍,' said the caption.
In February 2025, Patrick told PEOPLE he knew Champion was the one for him when he saw 'how much she values family and how similar our core values are.'
'Over the course of the years, I just continuously fell in love with her more and more, with the kind of human that she was becoming and that the relationship was becoming,' he said.
The pair started dating in September 2015, following his split from Miley Cyrus.
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