At a Glance
- Bryce Dallas Howard is balancing her film career with parenting two teens.
- Her son, Theodore Norman Gabel, is 18 and showing interest in filmmaking.
- Daughter Beatrice Jean Gabel is 14 and already engaged with her mother’s projects.
Why it matters: The actress shows how a Hollywood star can keep a normal family life while staying active in the industry.
Bryce Dallas Howard, who recently attended the Music by John Williams AFI Fest opening night on October 23, 2024, has kept her family life private while raising two children who are growing into their own identities. The actress, married to actor Seth Gabel, shares how she balances work and parenting, and how her kids are beginning to follow in her footsteps.
Family Roots
Bryce Dallas Howard married her college sweetheart, actor Seth Gabel, in 2006. The couple welcomed their first child, son Theodore Norman, on Feb. 16, 2007, just a year after their wedding. They completed their family when daughter Beatrice Jean was born on Jan. 19, 2012.
The actress grew up with director Ron Howard as her father, who deliberately kept her out of the spotlight until adulthood. She told News Of Los Angeles in 2015:
‘We weren’t exposed to the glamorous side of the industry. No premieres, nothing like that. That was a good call.’ Howard says she applies the same principle to her own kids.
Raising Kids on Set
During the filming of Spider-Man 3, Howard was pregnant with Theodore. She later explained to News Of Los Angeles in 2018 that her children “don’t like it when [she] travels” for work, yet she loves taking them to new places:
‘It’s such an awesome thing to get to travel with them and for them to see that my husband and I get to do creative work that we’re really excited about and we’re really inspired by.’
To keep her kids grounded, Howard enrolled them in local schools whenever she shot in a new city. She told News Of Los Angeles in June 2015:
‘I would enroll my kids in local schools whenever I had to shoot for long periods in a new place, so they get to meet a lot of new friends. They love to travel.’
When teaching Theodore how to drive, Howard emphasized safety:
‘The poor boy, what I put him through. He basically can be a race car driver at this point because I’m like, ‘You’re not allowed to get your license until you know how to do every defensive driving move imaginable.”
Theo’s Growing Career
Now 18, Theodore has begun to follow his parents into show business. On the What in the Winkler podcast in March 2025, Howard shared:
‘Theo is definitely on the filmmaker track in a big way.’
Ron Howard added that in summer camp, many wanted Theo to act in their film. The actor’s son also appeared in the cast of Pets, a project Howard announced in 2022.
Beatrice’s Journey
Beatrice, who turned 10 in January 2022, has been a fan of her mother’s work from a young age. In April 2022, she told News Of Los Angeles after Howard worked with John Cena and Dua Lipa on Argylle:
‘I couldn’t believe it. My daughter knew everyone that I was working with. She was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I was such a big fan of John Cena! I love Dua Lipa!’ I was like, ‘Who are you?”
She also befriended the children of Howard’s co-stars. Chris Pratt’s son Jack became a close friend; Pratt noted on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2017 that Jack loves Beatrice.
Howard described Beatrice in a sweet birthday post in 2022:
‘She’s a person with incredible kindness, sparkling wit and genuine love for others and the world around her.’
Two years later, she added that Beatrice is “hilarious and gives amazing advice (far beyond your years).”
Parenting Philosophy
Howard often reflects on the support she received after her first child’s postpartum depression. She told News Of Los Angeles in 2015:
‘I didn’t get [postpartum depression] the second time around. It was so emotional for me because I didn’t feel comfortable asking for that kind of help. For my friends and family, they were so glad that I did and it made me think back to the first one, they were all there. I am blessed that they did completely support me in all the ways.’
She also mentioned her own quirky personality when her daughter was three:
‘Seeing my daughter articulate her thoughts and feelings is so interesting. A couple of days ago, my husband and I were putting her to bed and she said, ‘Mommy and Daddy, I’m so glad that you saw me at the store and brought me home.’ I was like, where on Earth did she get this? ‘Beatrice, remember, you chose us. You chose us and you grew in my belly and that’s how we met you.’ And she was like, ‘Oh, yes.”
When asked about her red-haired lineage, Howard joked on Conan O’Brien in 2021:
‘My redhead lineage is very strong. Then my kids are blond! They’re all so blond! I just feel like I failed. They also didn’t get [fair skin and freckles], they have these kinda golden tans!’
Key Takeaways
- Bryce Dallas Howard keeps her family life private while actively working in film.
- Her son, Theodore, is 18 and pursuing filmmaking; her daughter, Beatrice, is 14 and already engaged with her mother’s projects.
- Howard balances travel with school enrollment and safety training for her children.
- Support from friends and family helped her navigate postpartum depression.
- The family values normalcy, friendship, and mutual inspiration.
Table: Children’s Milestones
| Child | Age | Birthdate | Notable Milestones |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theodore Norman Gabel | 18 | Feb. 16, 2007 | Enrolled in local schools during shoots; learning defensive driving |
| Beatrice Jean Gabel | 14 | Jan. 19, 2012 | Friend with Chris Pratt’s son; fan of her mom’s work |
