Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Son Patrick Details Growing Up on Movie Sets

by

As a kid, Patrick Schwarzenegger was jingling all the way to set.

The White Lotus actor shared that his favorite childhood pastime was going to work with his father, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

I remember when we’d head to Universal Studios, Arnold would immediately go into his trailer for hair and makeup. It was actually a really cool space, and I got to spend time there doing my homework! It’s a funny memory I shared with him recently at the Sun Valley Film Festival – he’s 78 and I’m 32, but we were reminiscing about those days.

He described it as a really interesting experience, especially remembering how much he enjoyed the sets of Batman & Robin (1997) and Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003). He was fascinated by watching the actor transform – going into his trailer as a father and emerging as a completely different character.

Patrick often felt overwhelmed with choice on set, like a kid in a candy store. He described a trailer filled with snacks and treats, explaining, “There was a small ramp leading up to it, and inside was craft services with all sorts of candies and foods.”

Additionally, the Gen V actor would have the chance to spend time with Arnold and his children—Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt (35), Christina Schwarzenegger (33), Christopher Schwarzenegger (27), and Joseph Baena (27)—during visits to Universal Studios Hollywood. Arnold shares his older children with ex-wife Maria Shriver and Joseph Baena is his son from a relationship with Mildred Baena.

Patrick remembered riding around in a golf cart with his father, going from his movie set to the Jaws ride and then over to the ET ride.

Movie sets became a comforting escape for Patrick, and that experience inspired him to become an actor himself.

He explained that it was this dreamlike experience that allowed him to see everything, and it really sparked his curiosity.

Patrick added, “So, that’s kind of how I fell in love with that side of the industry.”

For a closet look at Arnold’s family, read on.

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s children – Katherine, Christina, Patrick, Chris, and Joseph – are all grown up! Now, his favorite role isn’t ‘dad’ anymore – it’s ‘grandpa’! Katherine and her husband, Chris Pratt, have three children – Lyla, Eloise, and Ford – and Arnold loves spending time with them.

He told Jimmy Kimmel in 2022, ‘Being a grandfather is the easiest thing.’ He explained that his grandkids visit, he plays with Lyla for a couple of hours – letting her ride a horse and play with the dog – and then they go home!

Maria Shriver and Arnold Schwarzenegger married in 1986 but divorced in 2011 after Maria discovered Arnold had a child with another woman. Despite the split, their son-in-law, actor Chris Pratt, praises how they co-parented their four children while in the public eye.

In a May 2024 interview with Today, Pratt shared his admiration, noting that many privileged Hollywood parents raise spoiled children. He expressed wanting to learn from Shriver’s success: “What did you do to raise such amazing kids? How did you keep them grounded?”

Pratt believes Shriver’s secret lies in holding her children accountable. He explained that she emphasizes good manners and personal responsibility, and that her strong faith plays a significant role. He hopes to apply these principles to raising his own children.

Patrick Schwarzenegger, born in 1993, is the son of Arnold and Maria Schwarzenegger. While he acknowledges the advantages of having famous parents, he also credits his brother-in-law, Chris, with helping him land a role in the Amazon Prime Video series The Terminal List. Patrick recalled Chris advising him to gain 20 pounds and undergo tactical training to convincingly play the young character, Donny Mitchell. He described training with actual Navy SEALs as a “dream come true.”

Since then, Patrick has continued to build his acting career, appearing as Saxon Ratliff in The White Lotus and portraying Tim Tebow in FX’s American Sports Story. He emphasizes that despite his family connections, he’s dedicated to his craft. He told The Sunday Times that he’s spent ten years taking acting classes, participating in school plays, and tirelessly working on his characters, all while facing numerous rejections.

Beyond his career, Patrick is also planning his future personal life. He proposed to model Abby Champion in December 2023.

Katherine Schwarzenegger is the oldest of Arnold and Maria Schwarzenegger’s children, born in 1989. She now has a family of her own with her husband, Chris, whom she married in 2019 after dating for a year. They have three children: daughter Lyla, born in 2020, Eloise, born two years later, and son Ford, born in 2024. Katherine has spoken about how becoming a mother felt like the culmination of her life’s journey, sharing that being a mom is a role she always dreamed of. Chris also has a son, Jack, from his previous marriage to Anna Faris, who was born in 2012.

Okay, seriously, Chris is the sweetest. Family means everything to him, and it broke my heart to hear about the drama he went through in 2021. He just wanted to express how grateful he was for his daughter with Katherine, you know, saying she was a ‘gorgeous healthy daughter,’ and people attacked him for it! They said it was a low blow to his first child, Jack, who was born prematurely, and to Anna, his ex-wife. He told Men’s Health that it was awful – people were calling the post ‘cringeworthy’ and accusing him of shading Anna. Can you imagine? He was so upset, he actually cried about it! He was worried Jack, who’s nine, would see it someday and be hurt. He said it felt like his blessings were causing pain to the people he loved, and honestly, it just makes me so mad for him. It’s just… not okay. He’s such a good dad and a good person, and people just needed to leave him alone!

Jack, the son of Anna and Chris, was born prematurely in August 2012 and needed care in the NICU.

The actress fondly remembers bringing her son, Jack, home, though his early years involved many doctor visits, five surgeries, and physical therapy. Despite the challenges, she says Jack always brought joy and was the most adorable child she could have asked for.

Now a teenager, Jack still comes to his parents for guidance. The actress shared that, like many parents, she often wonders if she’s doing a good job raising her children. When Jack seeks her advice, it reassures her that she’s on the right track and makes her incredibly proud of him.

 

Katherine and Chris welcomed their daughter, Lyla Maria Schwarzenegger Pratt, in August 2020, just over a year after their wedding. Lyla’s middle name honors Katherine’s mother. Chris generally keeps his family life private, but he shared that his son Jack was doing a fantastic job as a big brother. He told Entertainment Tonight in 2021 that Jack is very patient with Lyla, even when she tries to take his glasses off, and is a truly great older sibling.

In March 2022, Chris and Katherine Pratt welcomed their daughter, Eloise Christina Schwarzenegger Pratt, expanding their family.

Actor Jason Bateman, known as a proud ‘girl dad,’ shared in June 2022 that his oldest daughter is doing great with her new role as a big sister. Initially, she was a little curious and wanted to make sure she still got attention, asking, ‘What’s the deal with the baby?’ But now she loves being a big sister, constantly wanting to hold her little sister and being incredibly sweet. Bateman says these moments are what truly matter and bring him immense joy and gratitude.

Katherine and Chris Pratt welcomed their son, Ford Fitzgerald Schwarzenegger Pratt, on November 8, 2024. A few days later, they shared on Instagram that both mom and baby are healthy, and Ford’s siblings are excited to have a new brother. The couple expressed feeling incredibly blessed and grateful.

Christopher Schwarzenegger, the youngest son of Arnold and Maria, and Christina Schwarzenegger, their youngest daughter, are both forging their own paths. Born in 1997, Christopher generally stays out of the spotlight. He’s currently Vice Chair of the Special Olympics Founder’s Council and Director of Development at Indus Valley Media. He previously worked at Malka, a creative content agency, and with sports psychologist Trevor Moawad, and he graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in psychology. Christina, born in 1991, is an established executive producer, known for her work on documentaries like Take Your Pills (2018) and Take Your Pills: Xanax (2022).

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve always believed in owning your truth, and Arnold Schwarzenegger recently shared a very personal part of his. He has a son, Joseph, from a relationship with his former housekeeper, Mildred Patricia Baena. It wasn’t immediately known to Arnold that he was Joseph’s father; it became clear as Joseph grew older. He admitted it was a difficult situation, trying to navigate keeping it private. While he considers the affair a mistake, he’s incredibly proud of the young man Joseph has become. He’s made it clear that Joseph is loved and very much welcome in the family. It’s wonderful to see how Joseph is following in his father’s footsteps – he’s an actor, dedicated to fitness, and even works in real estate! You might have even seen him on Dancing With the Stars recently. It’s a testament to the power of love and acceptance, and how families can thrive even through complex circumstances.

Chris and Anna got married in 2009, but they separated after eight years. Anna, who was previously married to Ben Indra, suggested that her relationship with Chris wasn’t always what it appeared to be.

On her podcast, Unqualified, she explained that she and Chris both tried to maintain a perfect image of their marriage, even with friends and family. She felt more open and honest in her previous relationship with Ben.

Anna, now married to cinematographer Michael Barrett and a stepmother to his two children, also hinted that being with actors – both Ben and Chris – contributed to the issues. She admitted on her podcast that she and her ex-husbands didn’t handle competition well, and she personally struggled with pride and vulnerability. She hopes she’s learned from those experiences.

Read More

2025-12-11 01:48