Rosie O’Donnell admits she ‘can’t stop crying’ over grandson’s milestone
The actress has opened up about the joy of becoming a grandmother for the fifth time, revealing watching her son Blake O’Donnell embrace parenthood has left her overwhelmed with emotion.
Rosie O’Donnell has opened up about the joy of becoming a grandmother for the fifth time, revealing watching her son Blake O’Donnell embrace parenthood has left her overwhelmed with emotion.
The actress, 64, spoke about family life while attending the 2026 Tony Awards in New York City on Sunday (07.06.26), after welcoming her fifth grandchild after her son Blake and his wife Teresa welcomed their first child, Anthony Joel O’Donnell, in March.
The appearance comes as Rosie prepares to return to the stage with a one-woman Broadway show later this summer. Best known for The Rosie O’Donnell Show, A League of Their Own, Sleepless in Seattle and numerous Broadway performances, Rosie has remained active in entertainment while frequently sharing updates about her family life with fans.
Reflecting on seeing Blake become a father, Rosie told People: “To see my son as a parent and to remember him as a baby – it is absolutely – I can't stop crying.”
Rosie said the experience has given her a new perspective on parenthood, particularly as she watches her son develop a close bond with his newborn child.
She added: “(Blake) will say to me, ‘Mommy, I don’t want you to be upset, but the baby’s really into me, and you might not get to hold him that much’.
“First I was p*****, and then I thought, ‘Wait a minute, that's a beautiful thing’.”
Rosie is the mother of five children.
She shares sons Parker O’Donnell and Blake O’Donnell, as well as daughters Chelsea O’Donnell and Vivienne O’Donnell, with former partner Kelli Carpenter.
Her youngest child, Clay O’Donnell was shared with her late former wife Michelle Rounds.
Speaking about Blake’s relationship with Anthony, Rosie recalled a moment she said never fails to make her smile.
She said: “He looks at him and goes, ‘Hey my baby boy,’ And (the baby) starts laughing, and he’s only two months old.”
Rosie announced Anthony’s arrival on Instagram in March, sharing a black-and-white photograph of her grandson’s foot shortly after his birth.
She wrote: “Anthony Joel O'Donnell has arrived! And my heart burst open.”
Rosie added: “Congratulations to mama Teresa n Blake Christopher – I love u so.”
Blake and Teresa announced they were expecting their first child in a social media post a year after their wedding.
The announcement featured a baby grow displaying the words “Baby O’Donnell March 2026” alongside a sonogram photograph.
Anthony is Rosie’s fifth grandchild. In 2023, her daughter Chelsea welcomed her son Atlas, joining daughters Skylar Rose, seven, Riley, five, and Avery Lynn, four.
