Paving the way for future generations
Joel Madden rocked the 2000s music scene with Good Charlotte. But then he made a call that rocked his world even more. He decided to step out of the blazing spotlight and put his family first. That includes his wife, Nicole Richie, and their two awesome kids, Harlow and Sparrow.
After years of constant hustle, he felt it was high time to savor moments with his new and young family. He declared, “Now I’m just like a stay-at-home dad. I just stay home and do very little. It’s great.” Levine is on blissful daddy duty for his daughters Gio Grace (born in 2018) and Dusty Rose (born in 2016). Levine and his wife, Behati Prinsloo, added a third child to the family in January of 2023.
In Madden's own words, having them in his life changed everything. Joel found a new sense of self-assurance and realized he didn't need to prove anything to the world. His family became all the validation he needed, making him feel like he was already more than enough.
In an Instagram post, Chance shared his point of view, acknowledging that while 2019 had brought incredible moments like marriage, a new baby, and his first album, it had also been a test of balancing family and career. Reflecting on his past, he recalled how, when Kensli was born in 2015, he started a tour just two weeks later, missing out on important milestones and crucial moments when his presence was needed the most for his wife and child. Now, as a devoted husband and father of two, he recognized the importance of not making the same mistake again and pledged to be as helpful and available as possible during these early months of parenthood.
The reason behind this career shift? Well, it's heartwarming as well as bittersweet. After his wife, Ann Moranis, battled and tragically lost her fight against breast cancer in 1991, Moranis made a courageous decision. He chose to be there for his children full-time and devoted himself to raising them. It was a challenging journey, but he put family first.
Rick Moranis, who you might remember him from classics like ‘Ghostbusters’ (1984) and ‘Honey, I Shrunk the Kids’ (1989), took an unexpected detour in his career. He became a stay-at-home dad for quite a stretch, putting acting on the back burner and occasionally lending his voice to projects.
The expectant father made a major decision: he was bidding farewell to Panic at the Disco! to fully immerse himself in his latest and most thrilling venture yet—fatherhood. "The thought of becoming a father and witnessing my wife embrace motherhood is an awe-inspiring and thrilling experience," said Urie. "I'm eagerly anticipating this exciting journey ahead."
Sources: (SheKnows) (YourTango) (IMDb)
See also: Solo dads: famous single fathers
In late January 2023, Brendon Urie, the front man of Panic at the Disco!, took to Instagram with a heartwarming announcement. He shared the exciting news that he and his wife Sarah Urie were expecting a baby.
John Lennon faced the difficulties of separation from his kids during his first marriage because of the demands of his booming music career.
When he joined forces with Yoko Ono in his second marriage, Lennon decided on a different path. He purposefully dialed back his career and wholeheartedly embraced the role of a stay-at-home dad. This choice allowed him to place his family at the center of his life and provide the kind of presence and support he couldn't manage during his earlier music days.
In 2005, Dave Chappelle made headlines by turning down a staggering US$50 million contract with Comedy Central. He justified his decision in a 2014 interview with People, explaining that he didn't quit performing entirely; instead, he stepped away from the spotlight because the glare of fame was too intense. Chappelle was keen to explore other aspects of his life.
Royalty and parenthood can be quite the balancing act. Prince Harry made a bold and admirable decision in January 2020, along with his wife Meghan Markle. They made headlines when they stepped down as senior members of the royal family. Their motivation was simple: to protect their family.
When you think of Chris Hemsworth, you probably picture the mighty Thor wielding his hammer in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But here's something you might not know: he's not just a superhero on screen; he's also a real-life superhero dad! After a decade of non-stop work in Hollywood, Hemsworth decided it was time to step back. Why? His family.
David Beckham considers himself lucky because he's been able to take his kids to school, pick them up, whip up some dinner, and more. But it doesn't stop there; he's also become a bit of a family chauffeur, shuttling everyone around. He's traded the soccer field for the driver's seat, and he's all in for it.
You know him as the young wizard who conquered the dark arts in the ‘Harry Potter’ series. Well, Daniel Radcliffe is now taking on a new role—being a dad! In the spring of 2023, Radcliffe and his girlfriend Erin Darke welcomed their little bundle of joy. Radcliffe recently shared in an interview with Entertainment Tonight that having this time with his son is a "privilege."
In a revealing Netflix docuseries, Meghan Markle expressed their deep commitment to shielding their kids from the relentless spotlight that comes with being royals. Prince Harry, being a devoted dad, stressed the importance of consent when it comes to sharing their children's lives with the world. It's a royal parenting move that shows the couple's dedication to putting their children's well-being first, even in the grandest of palaces.
Chapelle was concerned that the attention that came with his fame would stop him from being able to raise his three children, Sulyman, Ibrahim, and Sanaa, whom he shares with his wife, Elaine Erfe. Chapelle believed that being the center of so much attention wouldn’t be good for his family. While taking a break from stand-up comedy, Chappelle chose to spend most of his time with his family and close friends.
But here's the thing: Radcliffe understands that not everyone can afford to hit pause on their careers. Still, he's savoring every moment of being there for his child. While he doesn't plan to vanish from the acting scene, he does see some changes in his future roles. He might become a bit more selective about the projects he takes on because, let's face it, the bond between a dad and his child is something truly magical!
This commitment to fatherhood continued as Martin expanded his family, welcoming Lucia in 2018 and Renn in 2019 with his now ex-husband Jwan Yosef. His decision to step away from the limelight highlights his dedication to being a hands-on dad during these crucial years.
David Beckham, the soccer legend, hung up his boots in 2013 and stepped into a new role as a hands-on dad. He's got a beautiful family with Victoria Beckham: sons Brooklyn, Romeo, and Cruz, and daughter Harper.
After his split from Reese Witherspoon back in 2008, Ryan Phillippe found his rock in his kids, Ava and Deacon. He didn't hold back, giving them all the credit for helping him get through that tough time.
In 2019, Maroon 5's front man Adam Levine bid adieu to his gig on 'The Voice.' The reason? He was itching to hang out with his lovely daughters. Levine confessed, “I do miss [being on 'The Voice'], but I also don’t miss how much I had to work.”
When it comes to putting family first, Chance the Rapper knows the importance of being there for his loved ones. After welcoming his second daughter in 2019, the talented artist, who shares his children Kensli and Marli with his wife Kirsten Corley, made a heartfelt decision. He decided to hit pause on his tour, prioritizing his family over his demanding work schedule.
Grammy-winning artist Ricky Martin took a three-year hiatus from the music industry in 2007 to focus on a new and pivotal chapter in his life. In 2008, he became a proud father to twin boys born via surrogate, prompting him to prioritize his role as a dad over his music career.
After wrapping up shooting on ‘The Magnificent Seven’ in 2016, Chris Pratt was excited to spend quality time with his family, including his then-wife Anna Faris and their son, Jack. In a Parade interview that year, Pratt shared his plan to take a six-month break, saying, "I've been on the road for 14 months, doing three movies back to back to back."
Hemsworth revealed that he chose to prioritize his three kids. This decision wasn't just about wanting to spend more time with them; it was also driven by his awareness of a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer's disease. In a world where superheroes often fight external foes, Hemsworth's heroic act was to battle for more quality time with his loved ones. Now, that's a real-life Avenger!
Ryan Reynolds, the charismatic actor, decided to hit the pause button on his Hollywood career to savor moments with his adorable daughters. James, Inez, and Betty are the motivating force behind his sabbatical from acting. In a revealing interview with LinkedIn in December 2021, Reynolds expressed, “The biggest thing for me…is that I don’t want to miss this time with my kids.” He and his wife, Blake Lively, are committed to providing their kids with a reasonably regular routine.
Reynolds shared their parenting approach, “For many years when my wife Blake would shoot a film, I would not shoot a film and I would be with the kids and vice versa.” This teamwork allows them to balance their professional and parenting responsibilities. Reynolds finds immense joy in being a “present dad,” relishing even the simplest of tasks. He revealed, “Now that they’re in school, they have a somewhat normal schedule,” emphasizing its importance for their development. He relishes taking them to school and picking them up each day.
During this break, Pratt wanted to make special memories with his son, Jack, whom he referred to as his priority. He explained, "I'm taking Jack to Jack's Beach, a spot we named on an island in the San Juan Islands. We'll revisit the fort we built a month and a half ago during a short visit and, if it's not there, we'll rebuild it." Pratt and Faris have since divorced, and he is now married to Katherine Schwarzenegger, with whom he shares two daughters, Lyla and Eloise.
In his own words, he decided it was high time to take a proper breather and be a full-on dad. He was done with the whole Hollywood scene, saying that everything else suddenly seemed way less important. Phillippe made it clear he wasn't feeling the need to act forever; his main gig now was being a dedicated dad.
From taking sabbaticals to focus on their family, to leaving behind multi-million-dollar contracts, the following celebrity dads made some surprising choices when it comes to balancing fame and fatherhood. And we respect them for it!
In this gallery, we explore the lesser-known side of celebrity life: the moments when they chose family over the bright lights of Hollywood. Click on to delve into their stories of prioritizing parenting, one surprising decision at a time.
Celebrity stay-at-home dads
These celeb dads put their careers on hold to embrace a different kind of role
CELEBRITY Parenting
From taking sabbaticals to focus on their family, to leaving behind multi-million-dollar contracts, the following celebrity dads made some surprising choices when it comes to balancing fame and fatherhood. And we respect them for it!
In this gallery, we explore the lesser-known side of celebrity life: the moments when they chose family over the bright lights of Hollywood. Click on to delve into their stories of prioritizing parenting, one surprising decision at a time.