Luke Wilson opens about becoming a first-time father aged 54
The Hollywood actor has spoken publicly for the first time about fatherhood after welcoming his first child with longtime partner Kendall Yates following years of saying he hoped to start a family.
Luke Wilson has said becoming a father for the first time has fulfilled a long-held ambition.
The actor, 54, also revealed he is “very proud” after quietly welcoming a baby with his longtime partner, Kendall Yates, 24.
The Old School and Legally Blonde star confirmed the news of his new arrival while attending the premiere of his new television series The Hawk, after reports earlier in the week revealed he and Kendall had recently welcomed their first child together.
The couple, who have been linked since 2023 and made their public debut at the premiere party for Horizon: An American Saga in June 2024, have not publicly disclosed their baby's name or sex.
Luke has long spoken about wanting children after watching his brothers, Owen Wilson and Andrew Wilson embrace fatherhood.
Speaking to Entertainment Tonight at the premiere of The Hawk, Luke reflected on his new role as a parent, saying: “It’s just what everybody says about it, but I’m just trying to do a good job.”
Luke added: “I’m very proud to be a dad.”
The actor has spoken for several years about hoping to have children of his own, often drawing inspiration from spending time with his nieces and nephews.
Appearing on Conan O’Brien’s late-night show in 2020, Luke said: “I think I am a fun uncle.”
He continued: “I get along great with (my family’s kids); they are really fun kids. I mean, during this (Covid) pandemic, I did have a, kind of, Shining-type moment with Owen’s son Ford, where I was saying, ‘You know I love you, Don’t you, Ford? You’re a good boy’.”
Luke added at the time: “I get along great with those guys, they’re great little kids and definitely the kind that make me want to have some kids of my own, which I should get on sooner rather than later.”
The actor also joked he was conscious of becoming a father later in life, referencing the late actor Anthony Quinn, who welcomed a child at a late stage in his life.
Luke quipped: “I mean, Anthony Quinn, he had a child when he was 80. I just don’t want to be one of those dads that has to pay somebody in the neighborhood to throw the football with his kid (when) he can’t.”
He added: “I feel like I see here and there in L.A..”
Alongside his best-known film roles, Luke is also recognised for The Royal Tenenbaums, Idiocracy, Stargirl and the television series Enlightened, while the Wilson family remains one of Hollywood's best-known acting dynasties.
In a 2023 interview with The Knockturnal, Luke again spoke about the close relationship he enjoys with his extended family.
He said: “I try, for better or worse, treat (children) as adults (and) as equals.”
Luke continued: “I’ve always gotten along with my brother Andrew and my brother Owen’s kids.
“The best and worst part of being around kids is they’re just so brutally honest at all times.”
Owen, who is known for films including Wedding Crashers, Zoolander, Cars and Loki, is the father of three children, while Andrew has a daughter.
