Hollywood Hunks Take Break to Be Dads

Balancing work and family life can be tricky, and with the instability of the entertainment industry it can be hard to step away or take a break. 

However, there is now a rise in male celebrities pausing their careers to be able to prioritise more time with their children and share the parenting load with their partners. 

This week, British comedian Rob Beckett was praised when he announced he was stepping back from his career to become a stay-at-home dad. 

Speaking on The Show, Rob admitted he now plans to 'step up' while his wife Lou promotes her new book, confessing: 'I’ve been on tour, I couldn’t tell you what the kids are doing at school tomorrow. I know that sounds bad.'

He added on his Parenting Hell podcast: 'She took a career break to look after the kids while I crack on and now I'm stepping back a little bit so that she can have a bash of it and spread her wings.' 

While over in Hollywood, the likes of , Daniel Radcliffe and they have all deliberately taken a step back to be more present in their children's' lives. 

So who are the other dads who have pressed pause on their careers?  

Chris Hemsworth

Chris Hemsworth has spoken about how important his family is to him as a dad to his three children India Rose, 13, and 11-year-old twin sons Sasha and Tristan, who he shares with his wife Elsa Pataky. 

Stepping back from Hollywood he previously told Entertainment Tonight 'I wanted to take off because I've been working for 10 years, and I've got three kids that I want to spend more time with.'

The couple relocated from the US in 2015 and now live in Byron Bay, a laid-back surf town just south of Australia's Gold Coast.

Chris told PEOPLE: 'We got a big plot of land, a farm with horses, and our kids surf and fish and ride motorbikes all day.'

Elsa added that the lifestyle has been hugely beneficial for their family, saying: 'It helps a lot, especially in the house with three kids.'

 Chris also explained that the move has helped him prioritise family time, adding: 'I can focus on the more important things - I can hang out with my kids, I can hang with my wife, and we can go and have fun.'

Daniel Radcliffe 

After soaring to stardom as a young teen in the iconic franchise, made the choice to take a step back after welcoming his son. 

Daniel and his partner Erin Darke welcomed their son in April 2023 and the actor has since stepped back from the limelight to focus on his family. 

Speaking to Entertainment Tonight he said it was 'a privilege' to have time off with his son.

'I was always going to take some time off, which not everyone is able to do and so I'm able to kind of just be here with him a lot, which is lovely.'

Revealing how it would impact his career going forward he said: 'I think I'm gonna miss him when I go back to work later in the year. So, I will definitely be I think a bit more selective — not more selective, I've always been selective, but I think I'll probably work a little bit less for the next few years.' 

Asked by E! News how it was being a new parent, Daniel said: 'There's a short answer and a long answer to that. And the short answer is it's awesome and he's the best thing that's ever happened.

'The long version? It's frankly terrifying to have a human being in the world that I care this much about.'

He added: 'Everything he does is going to affect how I feel about my life for the rest of my life. So, you know, that's intimidating.'

Chance the Rapper

Prior to his divorce from his wife Kirsten Corley in 2024, Chance The Rapper went as far as to postpone his tour to be there after the birth of his second daughter Marli in 2019. 

Taking to Instagram at the time, the musician penned: 'This year has been one of the greatest of my life; Marriage, new baby, first album etc.

'But with it being so eventful it has also been very strenuous having to divide my time and energy between family and work. 

'When Kensli was born [in 2015], I went on tour 2 weeks later and missed some of the most important milestones in her life, but more importantly, I was absent when her mother needed me the most. 

'At this point as a husband and father of two I realize that I can't make that mistake again. I need to be as helpful and available as possible to my wife in these early months…'

Chance enjoys spending time with his daughters and in a 2022 appearance on the Jennifer Hudson show dished about what his kids think of their dad's fame.

'[My daughters] know I'm famous, but I don't think they know anybody else is famous, which is awesome,' he said.

'They don't get impressed by anybody that I bring around, that I show them that I'm with, but they know that I sing and they like my songs, so I'm going to hold on to that while I can.' 

In January 2025 the couple reached a divorce settlement, nearly nine months after they first announced their separation.

Brendon Urie

While some musicians manage to balance touring and raising a family, Panic At The Disco frontman Brendon Urie decided that it was time to call it quits on the band. 

In January 2023 the singer was set to shortly become a father with his wife Sarah Urie expecting their first child, and he explained that it was time to close this chapter of his life to focus on his family.

He announced in a social media statement: 'Well, it's been a hell of a journey… Growing up in Vegas I could've never imagined where this life would take me. So many places all over the world, and all the friends we've made along the way.

'But sometimes a journey must end for a new one to begin. We've been trying to keep it to ourselves, though some of you may have heard..

'Sarah and I are expecting a baby very soon! The prospect of being a father and getting to watch my wife become a mother is both humbling and exciting. I look forward to this next adventure.

'That said, I am going to bring this chapter of my life to an end and put my focus and energy on my family, and with that Panic! At The Disco will be no more.' 

Adam Levine

Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine walked away from his $30million pay check from The Voice in 2019 to be a stay at home dad for his daughters Gio Grace and Dusty Rose.

Speaking on The Ellen DeGeneres Show he admitted: 'I do miss it, but also, I don't miss how much I had to work.

'I was constantly working for so many years - very lucky, very fortunate, very blessed and all that - but to just be able to stop in this moment to spend time with my new young family and just have the greatest time ever. 

'Now, I'm a stay-at-home dad. I just stay at home and do very little.'

Adam and his wife Behati Prinsloo also welcomed a son in 2023. He later returned to The Voice in 2025.

Dave Grohl 

He may be one of the biggest rockstars in the world, however Dave Grohl ensures he doesn't miss out on his children's lives despite his hectic schedule. 

Back in 2014 he shared how he is determined to take his daughters to school every morning, and offered a glimpse into his morning routine during an appearance on Ellen.

He explained that his day starts at 5:45am, and after he wakes up his daughters for school, and said he has to prepare their 'snack packs' for the day.

Dave then continued: 'While I'm getting the snack packs going, they come into the kitchen, and then I get the breakfast going.

'Once they've had breakfast, I get them dressed, and they get dressed and then I get the backpacks and the snack packs into my minivan.

Ryan Reynolds' shares children James, 11, Inez, nine, Betty, six, and Olin, two, with his wife Blake Lively (pictured with their two daughters in 2020)