At a Glance
- Ginnifer Goodwin says sons Oliver, 11, and Hugo, 9, have “discovered school plays”
- The boys walked their first red carpet at November’s Zootopia 2 premiere
- Goodwin and husband Josh Dallas keep them off social media and forbid Googling themselves
- Why it matters: The famously private family is easing into Hollywood life on their own terms
Ginnifer Goodwin once hoped her children would stay far away from show business. Now, the Zootopia 2 star admits she’s “delighted” that sons Oliver and Hugo are embracing acting through school productions.
Speaking on the BAFTA Tea red carpet in Beverly Hills on January 10, the 47-year-old told News Of Los Angeles in an exclusive chat how her boys-Oliver, 11, and Hugo, 9-are catching the performance bug.
From Stage Fright to Center Stage
“I thought I wanted to keep them as far away from show business as possible,” Goodwin revealed. “Then when they weren’t interested, I was like, ‘What did I do wrong?'”
Her change of heart is clear: “I’m very happy in this place that is, like, let’s focus on school productions.”
The shift marks a new chapter for the family, who have long shielded their children from the spotlight. Goodwin and husband Josh Dallas, 47, met in 2011 on the set of Once Upon a Time, where they played Snow White and Prince Charming. They wed in April 2014 and welcomed Oliver later that year and Hugo in 2016.
Red Carpet Rules
Despite their budding interest, the parents maintain strict boundaries:
- No social media posts featuring the boys
- Faces are always hearted-out in photos
- The children are banned from Googling themselves
- Hollywood events remain off-limits except for special occasions
The November Zootopia 2 premiere marked a rare exception. Oliver and Hugo walked the red carpet to support their mom, who voices lead character Judy Hopps. Goodwin told E! News at the time that the outing was a calculated decision after years of keeping the kids away from industry events.
Life Imitates Art
Goodwin credits the couple’s Once Upon a Time roots for their grounded approach. “He’s the best father ever, but he’s also the best date ever,” she said of Dallas at the BAFTA Tea event. “If he’s not with me, like right now, he’s with the boys.”
The family dynamic mirrors their fairy-tale beginnings: when Dallas accompanies Goodwin to events, they turn the evening into a “family celebration” whenever possible.
What’s Next
Zootopia 2 is now in theaters, giving fans another chance to hear Goodwin’s voice work. Meanwhile, the actress is content watching her boys find their footing on the school-play circuit-no Hollywood auditions, no talent agents, just the joy of performing for classmates and parents.
For Goodwin, the journey from protective mom to proud stage parent has come full circle. “They have discovered school plays,” she said simply, “and I am delighted.”
