James Marsden Reflects on Fatherhood and Career in Candid Interview

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — James Marsden, the 51-year-old actor known for his roles in “Sonic the Hedgehog” and “Westworld,” opened up about his journey as a father and his evolving perspective on work-life balance in a recent interview. The father of three shares two children, Jack, 24, and Mary, 19, with his ex-wife Lisa Linde, and a 10-year-old son, William, with former partner Rose Costa.

Marsden’s eldest son, Jack, has carved out his own path in the entertainment industry, making his runway debut for Dolce & Gabbana at 16. Marsden, a proud father, was front and center at the 2018 show, later sharing his admiration for his son’s achievements. “Is it weird to say my son is the person I wish I was more like?” Marsden told Men’s Health. “He’s 16 and figuring out his world and who he is and what his strengths are and what his passions are and what he wants to do.”

Since then, Jack has expanded his career as a producer, musician, and recording studio owner. He also joined his father on-screen in a 2021 episode of “Celebrity IOU Joyride.” While Jack maintains a relatively low profile on social media, he has made several red carpet appearances alongside Marsden, including at the 2024 Critics Choice Awards and the 2022 premiere of “Sonic the Hedgehog 2.”

In a heartfelt Instagram post celebrating Marsden’s birthday in 2023, Jack wrote, “Happy birthday dad!! I am so thankful to have you in my life as my dad, but also as a friend and a role model. I’m so proud of you and just always want to see you happy.”

Reflecting on fatherhood, Marsden emphasized the importance of family in his life. “Oh man! Well, my children do and they always have,” he said. “Time does. I think when you’re younger, you don’t value time as much. I love working, but I’ve been sort of slowly reevaluating how much time I do want to be working and how much time I want to be living.”

Marsden also touched on the challenges of balancing his career with family life. “One of the things that’s in the job description with being an actor is the feeling that you’re never going to work again,” he explained. “That’s been with me for a really, really long time. What that’s caused is a great fortune in a business that’s been very good to me, but a lot of time away—a lot of time traveling, a lot of time working.”

As Marsden continues to navigate his career and personal life, he remains committed to prioritizing his children and making the most of his time. “Nowadays, I want to really make sure that I insert value in my time, more than just on the work level,” he said.