At a Glance
- Katey Sagal has three children: Sarah Grace White (31), Jackson James White (29), and Esmé Louise Sutter (19).
- Both Sarah and Jackson followed their mother into acting, appearing in major TV shows and films.
- Sagal experienced a stillbirth in 1991 before welcoming her children, calling motherhood “the most self-sacrificing thing” she’s done.
Why it matters: The story reveals how Sagal’s children have carved their own paths in Hollywood while maintaining a close-knit family dynamic shaped by love, loss, and artistic legacy.
Katey Sagal, best known for Married… with Children and Sons of Anarchy, is not just a TV mom-she’s a mother of three who has navigated both heartbreak and joy. From the loss of a child to watching her kids step into the spotlight, Sagal’s journey as a parent is as compelling as any script she’s starred in.
Sarah Grace White: The Musical Actress
Sarah Grace White, born August 7, 1994, is Sagal’s eldest child. She graduated from Kenyon College in 2016 with a drama degree and quickly began booking roles. Her acting credits include appearances on NCIS, Grey’s Anatomy, Rebel, and The Bastard Executioner-a show created by her stepfather, Kurt Sutter, and starring her mother.
But Sarah doesn’t just act. She’s also a singer-songwriter. She released her first single, “Touching,” in fall 2022 and toured the U.S. the following summer. In a 2014 interview, Sarah said she was inspired by her mom’s passion for music and acting.
Jackson James White: From Music to Screen
Born March 1, 1996, Jackson James White originally planned to pursue music. He attended the University of Southern California for music but later switched to acting, dropping out to train intensively for two years.
Jackson’s breakout role came in 2018 with HBO’s Mrs. Fletcher, starring Kathryn Hahn. He later appeared in The Space Between with Kelsey Grammer, Michael Bay’s Ambulance, and Pet Sematary: Bloodlines. In 2022, he starred alongside his mother in Tell Me Lies, playing her on-screen son. He described the experience as “insane” but “perfect casting.”
In April 2024, Deadline announced Jackson will star opposite Lily James in a film about Whitney Wolfe Herd, founder of Bumble. He’ll play Herd’s love interest.
Esmé Louise Sutter: The Youngest Firecracker
Esmé Louise Sutter, born January 10, 2007, via surrogate, is Sagal’s youngest. Sagal was 52 at the time and had previously experienced complications that prevented her from carrying another child. She and husband Kurt Sutter went through in vitro fertilization, and despite weak embryos, decided to try.
Kurt has proudly called Esmé a “sassy little firecracker” and his “greatest teacher.” In 2021, he praised her for volunteering with the Hollywood Food Coalition. Sagal has shared that Esmé has ADHD and mild dyslexia, and the family has adjusted their routines to support her needs.
A Mother’s Journey Through Loss and Love
Before welcoming her children, Sagal endured a stillbirth in October 1991 with her daughter Ruby, at nearly eight months pregnant. On The View in 2017, she called the experience “difficult” and shared that a friend’s words helped her heal: “‘Sometimes we have these little souls that come in and out [of our lives,] and their mission is completed.'”
Sagal has called motherhood “the most self-sacrificing thing” she’s ever done. In a 2009 CNN interview, she said, “I’ve never loved anybody the way I love my children. It’s an experience I was surprised by.”
Family Bonds and Shared Spotlight
Sagal’s children have not only followed her into the arts but have done so with her support. Though she initially told Jackson to “do something else,” she later celebrated his success. When he joined Mrs. Fletcher, she posted, “Proud of him. The boy. Kickin’ a–.”
Working together on Tell Me Lies, Sagal said it was “a challenge to leave our very close relationship at the door,” but praised Jackson for being “present and collaborative.”
Sarah, too, has felt the influence of her mother’s artistry. “I saw how my mom put so much of herself into her music and acting,” she told The Hollywood Reporter.
Key Takeaways
- Katey Sagal raised three children while balancing a decades-long acting career.
- Sarah and Jackson have both built acting careers, with credits in major TV shows and films.
- Esmé, still a teen, is already making her mark through volunteering and personal growth.
- Sagal’s journey through loss, love, and legacy is reflected in the close bond she shares with her children-and in their shared passion for performance.
