The show-stopping guest appearance sets the tone for a wild episode that journeys into the dark heart of desire

The following story contains spoilers for The White Lotus season 3, episode 5, "Full-Moon Party." In episode 5, Rick finally arrives in Bangkok, and meets with an old friend with a very familiar face: that of Academy Award-winning actor Sam Rockwell.

Rockwell, 56, has a close connection to another member of the cast of “The White Lotus.” The actor, who won the Academy Award for best supporting actor for “ Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri ” in 2018, is the longtime partner of actor Leslie Bibb, who plays Texan Kate Bohr on the show.

Leslie Bibb's husband, Sam Rockwell, delivered a monologue on 'The White Lotus' about exploring his gender identity, sexual experimentation and more

"There’s always more than what meets the eye of the shock value on screen," Patrick Schwarzenegger tells The Hollywood Reporter of the certainly shocking moment.

Leslie Bibb and Sam Rockwell's relationship timeline spans nearly 20 years. Here's everything to know about their sweet love story — from their meet-cute to that surprise 'White Lotus' cameo.

HBO’s The White Lotus Season 3 continues to push boundaries, and the latest episode delivered a jaw-dropping surprise Sam Rockwell made an unexpected appearance in the series.

It was a big week for cutting loose and confessions, for sex as a metaphor but also just for sex.

June 2018: Rockwell tells Us Weekly about the “rule” he and Bibb have to keep their relationship strong. “We have a two to three week rule and then we see each other,” he said. “You get too independent if it’s four weeks, five weeks.”

Rockwell makes an appearance in the fifth episode of 'The White Lotus' season 3 when he delivers a black duffle bag to Walton Goggins