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 Jonathan Ross 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 Chris Hemsworth, Daniel Radcliffe and Ryan Reynolds 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?

Rise of the celebrity 'Staddys': The Hollywood hunks who paused their careers to raise their children (Chris Hemsworth pictured with his wife Elsa Pataky and children)

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 while wife Lou promotes her new book

Chris took time out to spend quality time with his children India Rose, 13, and 11-year-old twin sons Sasha and Tristan

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 Harry Potter franchise, Daniel Radcliffe made the choice to take a step back after welcoming his son (pictured in 2023)

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 (pictured with Erin in 2024)

After soaring to stardom as a young teen in the iconic Harry Potter franchise, Daniel Radcliffe 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 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

In January 2025 the rapper and Kristen reached a divorce settlement, nearly nine months after they first announced their separation (pictured in 2020)

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

Panic At The Disco frontman Brendon Urie decided that it was time to call it quits on the band when he welcomed a son with wife Sarah in 2023 (pictured with Sarah in 2013)

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

He said: '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'

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

Dave Grohl has shared his determination to take his daughters to school every morning (pictured with his daughters Violet, 19, Harper, 16, and Ophelia, 11 in 2023)

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.

Rob Beckett reveals he is stepping back from comedy to become a stay-at-home dad

'And then I get them in the minivan and sit in traffic for 45 minutes, and then I get them to school, and then I drive 45 minutes back to my house, and then I start my day.'

In a 2018 interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Dave also admitted that he turned down huge gigs after being told that he could miss one of his daughter's birthdays, and even flew back from Australia between shows to attend a father/daughter dance.

He said: 'There are times when I get a call from the manager, ''hey you've got an offer to play this huge gig'', and I have to ask my daughter ''I know this is the day after your birthday but should I play this show or not?'' and she says ''absolutely not, it's the day after my birthday!''

'And I've got to call my manager and say ''sorry, got to do it.''

'I've had some pretty ridiculous moments, there was once when the girls' school had the Daddy Daughter dance and it was a day off between Adelaide and Perth.'

Dave then implied that he flew all the way back to the US from Australia between the two gigs to attend the dance, adding: 'You got to do what you got to do!'

Ryan Reynolds

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)

Ryan Reynolds' shares children James, 11, Inez, nine, Betty, six, and Olin, two, with his wife Blake Lively.

And back in 2021 Ryan announced he was stepping back to be more present in his children's lives.

Speaking to LinkedIn he said: 'The biggest thing for me…is that I don't want to miss this time with my kids.'

'When I'm shooting a film, I'm oftentimes in Europe, I'm away, there are incredibly long hours, it's a ton of constant, kind of requirement to be there the whole time — not just because I'm performing but I'm also generally producing and writing on my movies as well.

'They tend to chew and blow bubbles with every aspect of my life when I'm shooting a film,' he added.

'So allowing myself to step away right away, it's sort of the perfect time. Not just for my family but for MNTN and for Maximum Effort, to just kind of focus on those for a little while.'

He also told Men's Health UK: 'I'm also really lucky: my work is intense for periods, but then I can also take time off, and a lot of people can't.

'So I'm grateful for that. I love watching my kids grow and evolve, and I hope that I get to do that for a huge amount of their lives. Until they kick me out.'

Chris Pratt

In 201, Chris Pratt took six months off work to spend quality time with his son Jack who he shares with his ex wife Anna Faris (pictured in 2018)

Chris also shares daughters Lyla, five, Eloise, three, and son Ford, 15 months, with his current wife Katherine Schwarzenegger

In 2016 Chris Pratt took six months off work to spend quality time with his son Jack, who was at the time four, and his ex wife Anna Faris.

The actor told People magazine at the time: 'I’ve been on the road for 14 months - I did three movies back-to-back-to-back - so I’m taking six months off.

'I’m taking Jack to Jack’s Beach, which is what we named the little stretch of beach on an island up on the San Juan Islands where we got a place.

'We’re going to go back to the fort we built about a month and a half ago when we went for a short visit and see if that’s still there. If not, we’re going to build it again.'

After a busy period shooting Passengers, The Magnificent Seven and Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 in a row, he said: 'It's nice not to have time to myself but to have time with my family.

'It's been really great and a very much a needed thing so we're thrilled. We're fishing, crabbing, having fires, sitting around having dinner together, it's just been great, the dream summer that we've all been waiting for.'

Chris also shares daughters Lyla, five, Eloise, three, and son Ford, 15 months, with his current wife Katherine Schwarzenegger.

Dave Chappelle

Back in 2005, Dave Chappelle made the decision to leave his $50 million contract hit show with Comedy Central to focus on family life (pictured with his daughter Sanaa in 2018)

Back in 2005, Dave Chappelle made the decision to leave his $50 million contract hit show with Comedy Central to focus on family life.

The comedian shares sons Sulayman, 24, and Ibrahim, 22, and daughter Sanaa, 16, with his wife Elaine.

Returning to the stage in 2014 he told People: 'I never stopped being on stage. What I did was step off of the main stage because those lights were hot, and I was trying to do other things with my life.'

'That kind of attention wouldn't have been conducive to raising a family.'

After the birth of his first two children, Dave and his family moved to a small town in Ohio in 2006, where they have chosen to raise their kids out of the spotlight.

Speaking on My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman in 2020, Dave explained: 'We don't live in Hollywood, there's no paparazzi trying to get their picture. The community protects them in that sense.'