At a Glance
- Lewis Pullman was born in 1993 to actor Bill Pullman and dancer Tamara Hurwitz
- Bill and Tamara met in college and have been married since 1987
- All three Pullman children-Maesa, Jack, and Lewis-pursue creative careers
- Why it matters: The Pullman family’s multi-generational creativity shows how artistic values shape Hollywood’s next wave
Lewis Pullman credits his actor father, Bill, and dancer mother, Tamara, for instilling a fearless creative spirit that now fuels his own rising film career.
College Sweethearts Turned Creative Partners
Bill and Tamara first crossed paths at the University of Massachusetts Amherst while cast as husband and wife in a 1980s theater production directed by Ed Golden.
> “Ed cast us as husband and wife, and so we invited him to our wedding,” Tamara told UMass Magazine in 2017.
After tying the knot in 1987, the couple balanced life between Los Angeles and a Montana ranch, nurturing a household where artistic exploration was the norm.
Three Kids, Three Art Forms
- Maesa (born 1988) – singer, songwriter, and choir leader
- Jack (born 1989) – puppet and mask designer
- Lewis (born 1993) – actor
Bill never pushed Lewis toward acting, yet recognized his son’s talent early after Rita Wilson praised Lewis’s natural ability on set.
Passing the Torch, Not the Typecast
Lewis has binge-watched his dad’s filmography and admires how Bill subverts his own on-screen warmth to keep roles fresh.
> “He has a natural warmth and comfort… then he actively subverted that,” Lewis told Interview magazine.
Lewis would consider playing younger versions of Bill’s characters-such as Dr. James Harvey in Casper-but draws the line at direct remakes.
> “That’s sacred grounds to step on… I would never want to step into the shoes of Pop,” he told PEOPLE in 2024.
Advice That Sticks
Bill’s key advice: always question the obvious choice.
> “What is the opposite way? And then, ‘How can I justify that?'” Lewis recalled his father saying to Popsugar in 2023.
Bill, who calls Lewis “a better actor than I am,” cherishes that his son now seeks guidance: “It’s so great that he’s been able to talk through things.”
Lessons From Mom
From Tamara, Lewis learned deep listening and self-reliance.
> “She listens with her whole body… She’s a maintainer. She’s a controlled-burn lady,” he told Interview.
Key Takeaways
- Bill and Tamara’s 40-year relationship began onstage and thrives on outdoor, hands-on work
- All three Pullman children pursue distinct creative paths without parental pressure
- Lewis balances reverence for his dad’s roles with a drive to carve his own niche
- Bill’s acting tips and Tamara’s grounded empathy form the backbone of Lewis’s craft
