“You Got It Because Your Name Is This”: Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Ex-Wife Is Proud of Her Son for Making His Own Way in Hollywood

Being born to famous parents comes with its set of privileges. However, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver wanted to raise their children to be empathetic. Hence, the four Schwarzenegger children grew up learning about responsibility and self-sufficiency. As a result, when Schwarzenegger and Shriver’s eldest son Patrick decided to pursue acting, he was well aware of the influence entailing his family name. However, the 29-year-old didn’t take advantage of his father’s reputation to gain easy entry into Hollywood.

On April 12, Patrick Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver appeared on The Squeeze podcast on YouTube, where the latter talked about her son’s acting journey. While speaking to hosts Taylor Lautner and his wife, Taylor Dome, Shriver revealed why she is proud of her son.

Not taking the easy way out

“What I respect and admire about Patrick is how hard he’s worked, at his acting journey,” Shriver told the hosts. Like his father, who used to take acting classes while working in construction and bodybuilding, the 29-year-old also “goes to class every week,” said Shriver. The renowned journalist also admired her son’s resilience and work ethic.

She said that while many people might say, “Oh! You got it because your name is this,” that wasn’t the case. “He’s done independent films… goes out in auditions. He takes rejection and… tries to get better all the time,” added Arnold Schwarzenegger’s ex-wife. Instead of relying on o his privilege, Patrick Schwarzenegger took inspiration from his father’s early struggles.

While the seven-time Mr. Olympia won a golden globe in 1977, it wasn’t until 1982 that Arnold Schwarzenegger starred in his breakthrough hit, Conan the Barbarian. The Staircase actor “was adamant about making his own way in this profession, making his own contacts, having his own team,” said Maria Shriver. Arnold Schwarzenegger has also supported his son’s decision to make it on his own.

Patrick Schwarzenegger’s desire the shadow of Arnold Schwarzenegger

In a 2018 interview with Cosmopolitan, Patrick Schwarzenegger talked about his father’s support for his acting career. Like his mother, Arnie also told his son to “Never listen to the naysayers.” Schwarzenegger also told his 29-year-old son that there was no substitute for hard work.

READ MORE | “What? They Still Make Kids Like This Today?”: Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver’s Parenting Leaves $40 Million Worth Hollywood Actor Baffled

During the Cosmopolitan interview, Patrick Schwarzenegger also spoke about outgrowing his father’s shadow. The Midnight Sun actor revealed he wanted his work to speak for him and to be more than “just his (Arnold Schwarzenegger) son.”

What did you think about Maria Shriver’s praise for her son? Do you think Patrick Schwarzenegger will soon star in a big-budget film as the lead? Let us know in the comments.

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