Celebrity children who follow in their parent’s footsteps sometimes struggle to grow out of their shadow. The more successful the parent, the bigger their shadow, accompanied by a sense that the parent is an invisible driving force. So Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s eldest son Patrick Schwarzenegger has his work cut out for him. While one might think that people would know that Patrick was Arnie’s son, the 30-year-old actor had a unique, albeit humorous, experience that hinted that this wasn’t the case.

Patrick Schwarzenegger learned how it feels when a fan learns about his Hollywood icon father, through him. As a frequently active user of X (formerly Twitter), the Terminal List actor came across a post by user Zero. The fan shared a snap of the actor from his appearance on The Boys spin-off Gen V, alongside a photograph of the actor with Arnold Schwarzenegger.

“How am I just finding out that Golden Boy from Gen V is Arnold Schwarzenegger’s son? #TheBoys,” wrote the fan. The actor found the post quite hilarious and shared how he felt. “It’s really funny to me when people ask me if I have any relation with Arnold when they see my last name… It’s really not a common last name. Haha!” wrote Schwarzenegger and shared it on Instagram.

Zero expressed surprise as was clueless about Patrick Schwarzenegger’s father, despite (presumably) watching Gen V when it was released in September last year. While Patrick Schwarzenegger may have found it funny, Zero’s disbelief also showed that he may have genuinely liked the young actor’s performance. The fact that he’s Arnie’s son may have felt like an impressive easter egg.

Every artist craves genuine feedback from fans that is not influenced by external factors. Patrick Schwarzenegger is no different because he has shared what he dreams of accomplishing in Hollywood. While the aspiring Hollywood could’ve gone to Arnie asking for help with his career, he chose a different path.

Patrick Schwarzenegger dreams of growing out of his father’s shadow

When Arnie’s eldest son actor embarked on his acting career, the bodybuilding legend motivated him. “My dad is always saying, ‘Never listen to the naysayers,'” the Staircase actor had revealed during an interview with Cosmopolitan. This was easier said than done, especially because The Terminator is an action cinema legend with record-setting films.

Yet Patrick Schwarzenegger explained that he was determined to build his legacy. The young actor drew inspiration from his father’s inspiring journey from Austria to Hollywood royalty. “It gives me determination to become my own person — not just his son,” Schwarzenegger said in the March 2018 interview.

So while Arnold Schwarzenegger’s journey inspired his son, the actor wishes to grow beyond The Terminator’s shadow. This is also why he may have thought the fan’s reaction was unique and “funny.”