Sam Nivola, the rising star known for his role as Lochlan Ratliff in the third season of The White Lotus, is addressing the "nepo baby" label that often accompanies young actors with famous parents. The 21-year-old actor, son of Emily Mortimer and Alessandro Nivola, both established actors, is asserting his pride in forging his own path in the entertainment industry.
Nivola recently graced the cover of Variety's Young Hollywood issue alongside Finn Wolfhard and Tyla. In the accompanying interview, he addressed the "nepo baby" tag with a touch of humor, stating, "Other than my genes, I don't think I can attribute much of my success to my parents". He emphasized his self-reliance, adding, "I feel proud that I've done it for myself, and sometimes in spite of them". He clarified that he didn't rely on his father's agent to secure roles, underscoring that he's "done it by myself". He stated, "I didn't want to give anyone an excuse to be able to say that anything I've achieved has been because of anyone other than me. And I'm proud of that".
Interestingly, Nivola revealed that his parents initially discouraged him from pursuing acting. He explained in a joint interview with Cooper Koch that his parents "really didn't want me to be an actor," acknowledging the profession's mental challenges. Despite their reservations, Nivola's passion for cinema, sparked by watching films in the Criterion Collection, led him to pursue acting.
Nivola's career began to gain momentum with roles in Noah Baumbach's White Noise, where he played the on-screen son of Adam Driver and Greta Gerwig's characters, and later in Bradley Cooper's Maestro. His performance in The White Lotus has further catapulted him into the spotlight. He landed the role in White Noise after his high school drama teacher helped him get an audition.
Reflecting on his White Lotus experience, Nivola acknowledged the challenges of portraying a character who elicits strong reactions. He admitted that it was "at times painful" when people viewed his character, Lochlan, as a "monster or pervert or freak". He confessed to feeling defensive when viewers seemed to lose sympathy for the character, emphasizing the importance of loving the character one plays, while not necessarily condoning their actions. Nivola also noted that he is starting to be offered roles that are "more grown up" and different from the socially awkward characters he has previously played.
The actor's portrayal in The White Lotus has also brought unexpected attention, with Nivola revealing that he was "flooded with DMs from 'thirsty older men'" and that he "literally couldn't walk down the street in Brooklyn... without being swarmed".
Nivola's White Lotus co-star, Patrick Schwarzenegger, revealed that Nivola had confided in him about his concerns regarding the "nepo baby" label. Schwarzenegger admitted he wasn't even aware of Nivola's family background until well into filming. Despite any potential concerns, Nivola seems determined to prove his talent and dedication to his craft, regardless of his family's legacy.
