CELEBRITY DADS: A Whole New Ball Game - African American celebrity fathers

Ebony, June, 1999

New Generation Parenting Seriously

UNDER any circumstance, fatherhood requires vigilance. It's a constant dance of wiping tears, cheering accomplishments and healing life's cuts. But consider raising children in an environment where everyone is vying for your time (fans, movie and music executives, the media), where every moment--no matter how private--can be made public. That's the unique challenge that confronts the new generation of celebrity dads. From superstar actors such as Denzel Washington and Will Smith to entertainers such as Babyface and Kirk Franklin, these famous fathers work hard to excel in their careers while keeping family foremost in their lives. It's a job they take to the heart.

Singer Eric Benet assumed sole parenting duties for his young daughter, India, after the death of her mother. Comedian and actor Eddie Murphy makes sure that any project he undertakes will coexist with his family time. Entertainer Teddy Riley tries to keep his family out of the spotlight.

It's this type of dedication that makes this group stand out. Parenting for them is not a role to play, but a commitment to uphold. For this group, show business ranks second to the serious business of fatherhood.

Actor-rapper WILL SMITH is often seen at celebrity events with his 5-year-old son, Willard Smith III, from his previous marriage. Last July, he and current wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith, celebrated the birth of their first child together, a son, Jaden Christopher Syre Smith. While basking in the joys of fatherhood, Smith continues to win fans for his superstar movie performances and award-winning rap songs. His films Independence Day and Men in Black are among the most successful movies of all time, with a combined gross of more than $550 million. Smith recently won his third Grammy Award for the single "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It."

KENNETH (BABYFACE) EDMONDS revels in his role as a father as he helps his "main man" Brandon navigate his bike. Overjoyed by the birth of his son, the singer-songwriter-producer named his recording studio after him and wrote a song, "The Day," in reference to the day of his birth.

Actor SAMUEL L. JACKSON is joined by his daughter Zoe at a fund-raiser in Burbank, Calif. He and his wife, actress LaTonya Richardson, balance their Hollywood careers with their off-screen roles as parents.

ERIC BENET cherishes the time he spends with his 5-year-old daughter, India, whose mother died when she was 15 months old. When Benet travels, his mother, Joyce Jordan, takes care of India. "She is just a wonderful, well-adjusted, intelligent, motivated, beautiful little girl," says the adoring father. "And she is proactive, always coming up with ideas."

DENZEL WASHINGTON says he draws inspiration for his stirring performances from his family who includes his wife of 17 years, Pauletta, and children John David, Kutia and twins Olivia and Malcolm. Washington is among the short list of African-Americans to win an Academy Award for acting. Films such as The Preacher's Wife, Courage Under Fire, Cry Freedom, Malcolm X and Glory have put this actor at the top of the game. Although he is considered to be "one of the most beautiful people in the world," his favorite role is playing leading man to his family. The Washingtons were recently named family of the year at the Fifth Annual Unity Awards Banquet, sponsored by the West Angeles Community Development Corporation. "Without them [family]," Washington told a reporter, "I would not be the person I am now."

Comedian EDDIE MURPHY keeps the laughter and the love flowing with his wife Nicole and their three children--daughters Bria and Shayne and son Myles. In addition to producing the new sitcom The PJs, Murphy juggles his family life with making Hollywood hits such as The Nutty Professor and Dr. Dolittle. Murphy recently appeared with comedian Martin Lawrence in the movie Life, and there are plans to do a sequel to The Nutty Professor.

LL COOL J (James Todd Smith) and his wife Simone are the proud parents of three children--son Najee and daughters Italia and Samaria. Famous for his rhymes, LL also has made marks as an actor and writer. His sitcom, In the House, was a favorite among viewers, and he took time to write his autobiography, I Make My Own Rules.

KIRK FRANKLIN'S family includes wife Tammy and children, his son Kerrion, her daughter Carrington and their 2-year-old daughter Kennedy. Although fans love him for his upbeat Christian tunes, the award-winning entertainer says he measures his success by how well he performs as a father. "Success is when I go home and I'm tired ... but my kids want to play," Franklin said. "And for me not to get selfish and ... give the long speech on `This is how Daddy makes his living; so you've got to give him time.' No, I have to get up and spend time with my kids. That's what success is for me."

SPIKE LEE and his wife, Tonya, are parents of 3-year-old daughter Satchel and toddler son Jackson. Lee most recently won critical reviews for his documentary Four Little Girls, the story of the 1963 bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham. His new movie, The Summer of Sam, is scheduled to be released next month.