Hollywood is weird. Families in Hollywood? Even weirder. If you’ve ever scrolled through Instagram and seen a photo of Joseph Baena hitting a classic double-biceps pose, you’d swear you were looking at a 1970s time capsule of his father, Arnold Schwarzenegger. He has the jawline, the "Austrian Oak" frame, and that massive, toothy grin. But while the physical resemblance is uncanny, the family dynamic is... complicated.
Honestly, the question everyone keeps asking is: does joseph baena have a relationship with his siblings?
The short answer? It’s not the "one big happy family" brunch you might be imagining. Despite the fact that Arnold has fully embraced Joseph, the relationship between the five Schwarzenegger children remains one of the most visible "cold wars" in celebrity culture.
The Red Carpet "Cold Shoulder" is Real
If you want to understand the vibe, just look at the premiere of FUBAR Season 2 in mid-2025. It was a massive event. Arnold was there, looking every bit the proud patriarch. All five of his children—Katherine, Christina, Patrick, Christopher, and Joseph—were in the same building.
But they weren't in the same photos.
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It was awkward. While Joseph walked the red carpet and beamed next to his dad, the "Core Four" (the children Arnold shares with Maria Shriver) posed as a separate unit. This wasn't a one-time thing either. At the Season 1 premiere a couple of years back, the same thing happened. Joseph was there to support his dad, but he was essentially a ghost to his half-siblings.
You’ve got to feel for the guy. He’s 28 years old now, carving out a career in real estate and acting, and he’s constantly making these public overtures that just... land with a thud.
Katherine and Christina: The Ice Sisters?
It’s pretty clear that the Schwarzenegger sisters, Katherine and Christina, have the least amount of contact with Joseph. In fact, "no contact" is probably more accurate.
Katherine, who is married to Chris Pratt, has been particularly vocal—or rather, pointedly silent. On National Siblings Day a few years back, she posted a beautiful tribute to her "siblings" with a bunch of throwback photos. Joseph was nowhere to be found. When fans called her out in the comments, she didn't apologize. Instead, she posted about "spreading hurtful words and judgment."
"Katherine and Christina have really no relationship with Joseph," a source close to the family told Page Six. "They don't blame the kid, but he is a living reminder of the affair that destroyed their mother’s life."
That’s the crux of it. For Maria Shriver’s children, Joseph isn't just a half-brother. He is the physical evidence of a massive betrayal. Remember, Joseph was born just five days apart from Christopher Schwarzenegger. That means Arnold’s wife and his housekeeper were pregnant at the exact same time in the same house. That’s a lot for any family to process, even 15 years after the news broke.
The Patrick Schwarzenegger Connection
Now, things get a bit more nuanced when you look at the brothers. Patrick Schwarzenegger has always seemed like the "bridge." Back in 2021, the paparazzi caught Patrick and Joseph working out together at an outdoor gym in Santa Monica. It was a huge deal. People thought, “Okay, here we go. The ice is melting.”
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But since then? Crickets.
Patrick got married to model Abby Champion in Idaho in late 2025. It was a gorgeous, star-studded affair. But guess who wasn't on the guest list? Yep. Joseph.
It seems there is a "secret" relationship versus a "public" one. Sources suggest that the brothers might text or chat occasionally, but out of respect for their mother, Maria Shriver, they keep Joseph at a distance. They don't follow him back on Instagram. They don't tag him in photos. They don't invite him to weddings.
Christopher: The Mirror Image
The irony of this whole situation is Christopher Schwarzenegger. For years, Christopher stayed out of the spotlight and struggled with his weight. But lately, he’s undergone a massive fitness transformation.
Suddenly, he looks exactly like Joseph.
Fans have pointed out that the two "youngest" sons (born days apart) are now the spitting image of their father. Despite looking like twins, they don't seem to share a life. While Joseph is posting gym reels and trying to break into Hollywood, Christopher remains much more private.
Why Joseph Doesn't Use the "Schwarzenegger" Name
People often wonder why Joseph sticks with "Baena." It’s a valid question. Using the Schwarzenegger name would basically be a golden ticket in Hollywood.
Joseph has been pretty upfront about this. He’s said in interviews that he wants to build his own legacy. He doesn't want people to think he’s just riding his dad's coattails. But there’s also a deeper layer here. By not taking the name, he’s perhaps showing a level of respect to the other side of the family. He’s not "encroaching" on their brand.
He’s doing his own thing:
- Real Estate: He works as an agent in West LA.
- Acting: He’s been landing roles in independent action films.
- Fitness: He’s basically become the face of the new generation of Gold’s Gym culture.
The Arnold Factor
The one thing that keeps this all from being a total tragedy is the relationship between Arnold and Joseph. They are incredibly close.
They train together at 7:00 AM. They go for bike rides through Santa Monica. Arnold has called Joseph "terrific" and a "strong" young man. It’s clear that while the siblings haven't found a way to bridge the gap, the father-son bond is unbreakable. Arnold has reportedly supported Joseph financially through college and helped him get his start, just as he did for his other four children.
Is Reconciliation Possible in 2026?
We’re well into 2026 now, and the "Schwarzenegger Split" seems more like a permanent boundary than a temporary rift.
Family dynamics are messy. You’ve got the Kennedy legacy on one side (Maria’s side) which is all about loyalty and "the circle." Then you’ve got Joseph, who is essentially an innocent party caught in the middle of a decades-old scandal.
If you're looking for a big, public reunion, don't hold your breath. The siblings have made their stance clear: they respect their father, but they aren't ready to invite his "secret" history into their private lives.
Actionable Takeaways from the Baena-Schwarzenegger Dynamic
If there is anything to learn from this high-profile family drama, it’s these three things:
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- Time doesn't heal everything, but it clarifies things. The siblings have chosen to prioritize their mother’s feelings over a relationship with Joseph. That’s a boundary they’ve set, and it’s been consistent for over a decade.
- You can't force a "blended family." Just because people share 50% of their DNA doesn't mean they are a family. Relationships require mutual consent, and right now, that consent only exists on Joseph’s side.
- Identity is personal. Joseph’s decision to keep the Baena name is a masterclass in building a personal brand while acknowledging a complex past without exploiting it.
For now, Joseph Baena will keep posting his gym selfies, and the Schwarzenegger kids will keep posting their family dinners. They occupy the same city, share the same father, and inhabit the same industry—but they live in two completely different worlds.
If you want to keep up with Joseph's progress in Hollywood or his latest training splits, his Instagram is the best place to see how he's handling the "fame without the name" life.