Joshua Jackson, the 46-year-old actor known for his roles in Dawson’s Creek and The Affair, shared heartfelt insights into his life as a father during a recent appearance on Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s podcast, Dinner‘s on Me. In this frank dialogue, Jackson opened up about what he’s focusing on as a dad. He discussed his experience dealing with divorce from ex-wife Jodie Turner-Smith and the difficulties he’s facing after losing his home in the recent Los Angeles blazes.
Jackson emphasized that his 5-year-old daughter, Juno, is his shust top priority. He spoke so movingly about how her needs would now and forever take precedence in his life. He struggled with the realities of co-parenting post-divorce, but didn’t let that get him down. He hoped to provide a safe, welcoming home for their emerging transgender daughter. He remarked, “It’s my job – shared with my ex-wife – to do everything that we can to nurture you, cultivate you and give you all the tools that you need in life.”
In September 2024, Jackson enjoyed a beautiful moment with Juno, showcasing their incredible bond. As he got ready to move the yard work after breakfast, he marveled at how she communicated her desire to play inside. She surprised him with a beautiful hand necklace she made. It underscored why Booth and Kim’s relationship mattered so much.
“We were just about to step outside when she said, ‘Daddy, I think inside play is what I need right now,’ ” – Joshua Jackson
As he navigates the challenges of fatherhood and personal upheaval, Jackson reflected on the recent fire that destroyed his childhood home. He elaborated on the experience during a performance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon on March 4. He conveyed a sense of resilience, stating, “And in some ways, I’m actually excited for the opportunity…that house has given me so much over the years, right? And I have loved it, and it has loved me.”
Among other reasons, Jackson’s childhood home was imbued with deep memories and was a home that he had bought Juno. He too, was feeling the emotional weight of losing this space. At the same time, he saw it as an opportunity to create something new. He already talked with infectious enthusiasm about plans for a new house. This new place would be free from the mistakes of the past and would provide a new beginning for him and his daughter.
“Every floorboard is a piece of my story. And I’m excited to build a new house that doesn’t have all of Daddy’s history in it, that is for her and I,” – Joshua Jackson
During a recent interview, discussing his divorce from Turner-Smith, Jackson spoke candidly about co-parenting. For Juno, he said, simply being there was the most important thing. He advocated strongly for the cause of active fatherhood. Whatever the reasons for separating, it is important for fathers to be involved greatly in the lives of their children right now. He stated, “Regardless of how messy the divorce is, beautiful the divorce is, easy [or] hard the co-parenting is…I think this generation of dads is understanding, like ‘I need to be here. It’s gonna be hard, but this is important, and I’ve got to do this.’”
Jackson’s reflections drive home his conviction that fatherhood is a cherished vocation, one to which we owe our passion and feeling. He accepted that bumps in the road are par for the course. He added that with creating great joy comes immense responsibility.
“If I ever did anything to estrange my daughter from myself, I would be in duress,” – Joshua Jackson
The Black Panther actor’s unfiltered, healthy podcast reflections on the challenges of new school fatherhood definitely help us better appreciate that complexity, though. As he continues to navigate personal changes and focus on rebuilding his life after the wildfires, Jackson remains committed to being an active and nurturing father to Juno.