At a Glance
- Mary Steenburgen, actress, gave birth to Lilly in 1981 and Charlie in 1983 while pursuing a film career.
- Lilly became a noted interior designer; Charlie emerged as a writer-director.
- The family remains close despite a divorce and subsequent remarriages.
- Why it matters: Their journey illustrates how Hollywood parents can nurture talent while maintaining demanding careers.
Mary Steenburgen’s life has been a blend of award-winning performances and devoted motherhood. While pregnant with her two children, she continued to work, culminating in an Oscar win for Melvin and Howard in 1980. Her partnership with actor Malcolm McDowell produced Lilly Walton and Charlie McDowell, who both followed in their parents’ footsteps but carved unique paths.
Early Life and Career
Mary and Malcolm welcomed Lilly on January 22, 1981, in Los Angeles. Two years later, on July 10, 1983, they celebrated the birth of Charlie. During a conversation with News Of Los Angeles in August 1989, Mary recalled, “Both my pregnancies are documented on film: Lilly in Ragtime and Charlie in Little Red Riding Hood.”
Despite their eventual divorce, the couple maintained a strong co-parenting relationship. In January 2014, Mary told Saga, “He’s a very special, wonderful, bigger-than-life magical being, and we’re so lucky that we managed to remember we loved each other.” She added, “I just thought, ‘This is my children’s daddy, there’s no way I can hate him.'”
Mary’s remarriage to fellow actor Ted Danson in 1995 added another layer to the family dynamic. Yet, her affection for her children remained unwavering.
Lilly Walton: From Screen to Design
Lilly’s early career mirrored her mother’s: she appeared in films such as The Manchurian Candidate (2004), Made of Honor (2008), and Sons of Anarchy (2008). In 2019, she pivoted to interior design, launching Lilly Walton Design in Ojai, California. Her studio focuses on creating warm, inviting spaces, offering both comprehensive remodels and simple room refreshes.
Lilly married Charlie Walton in September 2010, with the ceremony held at the couple’s home in Martha’s Vineyard. The couple has three daughters-Clementine, Goldie, and Vera-according to Lilly’s Instagram bio and website.
In December 2019, Mary and Lilly graced the cover of Ojai Quarterly. Mary wrote on Instagram, “So sweet to be on the cover of @ojaiquarterly with my beautiful mama @marysteenburgen. In the article I talk about landing back in Ojai after having kids, and embarking on a new path starting my own interior design business. It feels like a long time coming yet, looking back, I wouldn’t have timed it any other way ❤️.”
On Mother’s Day 2020, Mary posted a photo of Lilly and captioned, “Happy Mother’s Day, Lilly. One of the many joys of being a grandmother is watching the grace and beauty and patience that defines YOU as a mother.”
Charlie McDowell: Writer-Director Extraordinaire
Charlie’s passion for film led him to write and direct. His 2014 feature film The One I Love debuted with Ted Danson as a lead, while Mary starred in The Discovery (2017), which Charlie co-wrote and directed. Other notable projects include Silicon Valley (2016), Dear White People (2017-2018), and On Becoming a God in Central Florida (2019).
In September 2021, Charlie married actress Lily Collins. Mary celebrated the wedding on Instagram: “Charlie, my son, and Lily, my daughter-in-law!!! Thank you for letting us all bask in the sheer beauty of your love for each other. My heart is overflowing and it almost feels like the last few days were some sort of beautiful dream. But it is all real, and I feel like the luckiest mother in the world.”
Charlie and Lily previously collaborated on the 2021 crime thriller Windfall. The following year, they launched Case Study Films. In a Variety statement, Lily Collins noted, “We approach our relationships from all aspects of the filmmaking process-fostering an idea from conception to release-alongside both established talent and new, exciting voices.”
Beyond film, Charlie authored Dear Girls Above Me: Inspired by a True Story in 2013, a project inspired by letters he wrote to women who lived above him. He often jokes on Instagram that his mother is Andie MacDowell, playing with the similarity of their surnames.
In May 2023, Charlie posted the Book Club: The Next Chapter poster, jokingly photoshopping Andie’s face over Mary’s. He wrote, “Don’t forget to get your tickets to Book Club: the Next Chapter where you’ll see my mom, Andie (obviously!), act with some of our greatest on screen legends.”
The Family’s Public Persona
Mary’s social media presence is a testament to her pride. She frequently shares photos and comments celebrating her children’s milestones. Her posts emphasize the warmth and support that define the family, even after the dissolution of her marriage to Malcolm.
The couple’s children have also cultivated their own public profiles. Lilly’s design firm maintains an active Instagram account showcasing projects, while Charlie’s production company shares behind-the-scenes content from his film projects.
Key Takeaways
- Mary Steenburgen balanced an award-winning acting career with motherhood, giving birth to Lilly and Charlie while continuing to work.
- Lilly transitioned from acting to interior design, building a successful business in Ojai.
- Charlie became a respected writer-director, collaborating with his wife Lily Collins and launching a production company.
- Despite a divorce and remarriages, the family maintains a close, supportive bond, evident in public posts and collaborative projects.
- Their story exemplifies how Hollywood parents can nurture talent and sustain demanding careers while fostering strong family ties.
