Sam Nivola shares how The White Lotus completely changed his life, details revealed

In an interview with Variety, The White Lotus actor Sam Nivola reflected on how the series shaped his career, addressed public reaction to one of its most talked-about scenes, and shared thoughts on Hollywood’s creative climate. Known for portraying Lochlan Ratliff in the third season, Nivola described the experience as transformative for both his professional trajectory and public profile.

“It’s totally changed my life and the scope of my career,” he told Variety.

He continued:

“I literally couldn’t walk down the street in Brooklyn — my hometown — without being swarmed.”

Early career and family background

The son of actors Emily Mortimer and Alessandro Nivola, The White Lotus star Sam Nivola told Variety he pushes back against the idea that his success is solely the result of family connections. When the term “nepo baby” came up during the interview, he laughed before stating,

“Other than my genes, I don’t think I can attribute much of my success to my parents. I feel proud that I’ve done it for myself, and sometimes in spite of them.”

He pointed out that his first film role in White Noise happened without parental intervention.

“I didn’t get my dad’s agent to call up so-and-so. I did it by myself.”

According to Variety, acting had not been encouraged in his early years, as his parents did not want him to audition before the age of 18. At 17, with help from his high school drama teacher, he recorded a self-tape for White Noise during the pandemic. Years before his breakout in The White Lotus, his parents changed their position only when they learned the audition was for a Noah Baumbach project, reacting with:

“Holy fuc*ing shit, it’s a Noah Baumbach movie?! You have to do the callback!”

University decision and landing The White Lotus

As reported by Variety, after early screen work and before his role in The White Lotus, Nivola left Columbia University, where he was studying Latin and film, after only one semester.

“My parents were upset. It totally scared them, which is understandable. I wasn’t happy at the time because I couldn’t dedicate everything in me to acting. And I have problems with authority figures.”

The casting for The White Lotus involved a taped audition and a read-through with creator Mike White. Nivola told Variety the filming process was demanding, with high humidity, illness, and extended isolation. These conditions contributed to a feeling that blurred the boundaries between himself and his character.

“Sometimes I actually felt like I wasn’t myself. I finally understood the thing of getting lost in your character.”

Public reaction to a controversial scene

Speaking to Variety about the scene with Patrick Schwarzenegger, Nivola said,

“It was at times painful. It’s hard when people view your character as a monster or pervert or freak.”

He continued:

“My character jerked off Patrick. I don’t like that. It’s a bad thing he did. But I try not to pass judgment.”

Nivola explained to Variety that the success of The White Lotus brought a wave of offers for similar parts, describing them as “socially awkward, virginal kids who are a little weird.” He is now seeking more mature roles, including the upcoming Phony opposite Connie Britton and Bobby Farrelly’s Driver’s Ed, which he called an “R-rated” comedy.

Thoughts on Hollywood and the comedy genre

Nivola told Variety he sees a decline in comedies and a reluctance among studios to take risks.

“They’ve ‘Moneyball’-ed the film industry! Everything is about data now… It screws the idea of risk-taking, and comedy is more about risk-taking than any other genre.”

When asked about actors he admires, Nivola named Tom Cruise.

“He’s excelled in every kind of movie… ‘Jerry Maguire,’ ‘Risky Business,’ ‘Magnolia’ — he’s an incredible dramatic actor. And then he has this whole latter half of his career of being an action star.”

Opportunities for new talent

Nivola stressed the need for Hollywood to create space for new stars. He cited Timothée Chalamet as an example:

“He’s one of a very few examples I could come up with. But it’s a different kind of movie star; he’s not huge and jacked. He looks a little more like me. I wish!”

The White Lotus actor Nivola also commented on the challenges of producing films in the United States and called for more substantial tax incentives, referencing the British Film Institute’s program that subsidizes tickets for audiences under 26:

“It’s packed every weekend because it’s cheap, and that’s because taxpayer dollars are going toward art instead of toward fucking missiles.”

Independent projects and future goals

Alongside his acting career, The White Lotus star Nivola runs the production company Cold Worm with two friends. He explained that they have produced low-budget features and are seeking a studio deal.

“We’d rather make good movies than get filthy rich.”

Nivola recounted to Variety filming in Wales under challenging conditions, sharing a bed with co-producers and lacking enough towels.

“It was miserable… and it was one of the most fun times of my life. That will never die. As long as there are people fighting the fight and trying, it’s going to be OK."

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