At a Glance
- Jon Bernthal puts fatherhood ahead of his Emmy-winning acting career
- His daughter Adeline survived encephalitis and a three-day coma in 2017
- Both sons Henry and Billy train in boxing and jiu-jitsu like their dad
- Why it matters: Shows how a Hollywood star balances fame with family crises
Jon Bernthal may headline films and shows, but the title he guards most is “Dad.” The actor and wife Erin Angle raise three kids-Henry, 15, Billy, 13, and Adeline, 11-and he’s openly stated that parenting eclipses every role he plays on screen.
A Family Formed in 2010
The couple married in 2010 and became parents in rapid succession. Henry arrived in 2011, Billy in 2013, and Adeline completed the trio in 2015. Bernthal told Men’s Health that his core goal is to raise children “better than me” and to push himself aside so each child can pursue life “full bore.”
The Nightmare of 2017
Their world tilted when two-year-old Adeline had a seizure and slipped into a coma. Doctors diagnosed encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain, and Bernthal walked away from the feature film First Man to stay bedside. Angle never left Adeline’s side, even when the toddler woke up three days later without recognizing her family. Bernthal later praised his wife’s calm courage, calling it “beauty unlike I’d ever seen.”
Raising Fighters-and Gentlemen
Both boys started jiu-jitsu at age two and later added competitive boxing. Bernthal, who still boxes, wears Henry’s glove pendant as a tribute. The actor stresses that toughness must pair with kindness. “I want them to see kindness as masculine, not a sign of weakness,” he told Esquire.
Henry’s Leap Toward Independence
Henry now trains and travels for tournaments, and Bernthal admits the teen’s natural pull toward independence “kills me.” Still, the actor celebrates his son on Instagram, calling Henry his “best friend” and “battle buddy” in a December 2024 post.
Billy’s Fearless Streak
Billy quarterbacks his youth football team and competes in basketball. During a 2018 haunted-house visit, a costumed monster startled Bernthal; Billy instantly punched the performer, earning laughs and a reminder from Dad that fearlessness needs guidance. “That kid isn’t afraid of anything. He’s going to have to learn things on his own,” Bernthal recalled.
Adeline Today
Post-recovery, Adeline channels creativity into making paper cranes and spending time at a horse ranch. Bernthal’s Instagram tributes call her “baby girl” and promise, “I’ll always be The Man That Loves You The Most.”
Boxing, Homework, and Piano
The actor demands equal intensity for academics and arts. “By the way, I want them to learn how to play piano and do their schoolwork with the exact same level of fierceness,” he told Men’s Health. Whether his kids choose sport, stage, or science, Bernthal’s rule is total commitment without parental pressure to follow his path.
Letting Go, Holding On
Bernthal struggles with the universal parental tension-fostering strength while accepting separation. Watching Henry spar or Billy take hits on the field, he reminds himself the goal is not to clone his interests but to cultivate resilience. “Divorce yourself from your own bulls–t,” he summarized as the hardest part of fatherhood.
Key Takeaways
- Health Crisis: Adeline’s 2017 encephalitis battle reshaped Bernthal’s career priorities
- Training Ethic: Boxing and jiu-jitsu serve as life-lesson tools for discipline and protection
- Emotional Honesty: Bernthal publicly shares both pride and pain as his kids grow
- Parenting Philosophy: Commit fully, love louder, and cheer from the edge of the ring
