Josh Holloway Shares Family Life with Two Children, Java and Hunter

Josh Holloway, the actor known for his role as Sawyer on Lost, shares a close bond with his two children, daughter Java and son Hunter. The family first met in 1999, married in 2004, and welcomed their children in 2009 and 2014. Their journey from a couple without plans for parenthood to devoted parents is highlighted by personal anecdotes, public appearances, and the father’s own reflections on responsibility and growth.

**At a Glance

Josh Holloway met his wife, Yessica Kumala Holloway, at a bar in 1999. They married on Oct. 1, 2004. Initially, the couple did not plan to become parents, but after discovering a “loving relationship” with each other, they changed their minds. As Josh told TV Guide in December 2008, “Basically, nature happened… [Having] children becomes a part of it.” This statement set the tone for the family’s approach to parenthood: spontaneous, joyful, and deeply rooted in love.

Career Influence on Parenthood

Josh’s acting career, which began with Lost and later included a role in Yellowstone, has shaped his perspective on family. In February 2010, he told News Of Los Angeles that becoming a father “has made me hungry, and so joyous about life in general.” He added, “I feel a responsibility to be a better human being. To be [Java’s] hero. I mean, I gotta be. I will be.” The responsibility he feels extends beyond the screen, influencing the way he balances work and family time.

First Child: Java

Java Kumala Holloway was born on April 9, 2009 in Oahu, Hawaii, where Josh was filming Lost at the time. A source confirmed to News Of Los Angeles that both parents were “absolutely thrilled” and that “Everyone’s happy and healthy.” In 2023, Josh reminisced on Instagram about bringing his “little bunny” Java home from the hospital on Easter Sunday, noting, “And now she’s all grown up!” The 16-year-old has become a runner and baker, inspiring her father’s sense of purpose.

Parenting Style

Josh has openly discussed his hands-on approach. In 2010, he told News Of Los Angeles that he “changes diapers all the time! I’m super fast,” adding that he “baths her, I do everything.” He even took a role on the children’s series Yo Gabba Gabba just for Java, describing it as “one of the hardest days of my entire career because, man, you have to be so high-energy all day long for a children’s show.” After the episode, he said, “I got home and I was like, ‘I need a cocktail!’ But it was fantastic, I loved it.”

Shared Adventures

Java’s adventures with her family have been widely shared. In 2017, Josh recounted on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert how Java made fun of his “dad bod” while on a Hawaiian vacation. The following year, he told The Chew about a camping trip where Java caught a “nice sized bass.” He described the moment: “We get all the way [back to camp] with the fish and she says ‘I want to let it go, Dad,'” and added, “She runs like a gazelle down this embankment and puts it in the water and holds it and lets it go.” These stories illustrate the playful dynamic between father and daughter.

Creative Projects

Java’s interest in baking and running has led her to create her own small online recipe page, which she shares with her father. In September 2024, on National Daughter Day, Josh wrote on Facebook, “Who you are makes me want to be a better person,” celebrating her growing independence and creativity.

Second Child: Hunter

Hunter Lee Holloway entered the world on Jan. 27, 2014, making Josh a father for the second time. While he admitted feeling “full of fear” with his first child, he noted in March 2014 that the experience with Hunter was “calmer, which makes everything better.” In January 2017, he told Women’s Health that the family shares a bedroom, saying, “At home, we all sleep in the same room… I wake up thinking about how beautiful my children are, lying there sleeping… and also how annoying it can be when they wake up.”

Music and Bonding

Josh’s love of music has become a shared activity. In December 2019, he posted a video of himself playing Christmas songs on the piano with Java and Hunter, captioning it “Merry Christmas to your family from ours.” In 2022, he shared a beach vacation snap, writing, “my boy and I love to swim together. In the water is our happy place.” Two years later, he posted a photo dump from a French vacation, adding “merci 🇫🇷.” These moments highlight the family’s emphasis on togetherness and shared experiences.

Messages of Encouragement

Josh’s messages to Hunter over the years emphasize growth and bravery. In a 2022 birthday note, he wrote, “My little man. Watching you grow into your superpowers is absolutely incredible! Be careful, but be bold! I love you with everything in me.” These words reflect the father’s desire to nurture confidence in his son while maintaining a protective presence.

Family Activities and Public Appearances

The Holloways have frequently appeared together in media and on social media. Josh has used his platform to showcase family moments, from playing piano to traveling. He has also participated in shows that highlight his parenting, such as Yo Gabba Gabba for Java and various interviews where he discusses the joys and challenges of raising two children. Their close-knit dynamic is evident in the way they share a bedroom and travel together, reinforcing the idea that family is the center of their lives.

Timeline of Key Events

Key Takeaways

• Josh Holloway’s transition from a non-parent to a devoted father is documented through interviews, social media, and public appearances.
• Both children, Java (16) and Hunter (12), have grown up in a supportive, music-loving, and adventure-filled environment.
• The family’s shared bedroom and frequent travel underscore a strong bond and a commitment to togetherness.