Jeff Goldblum Reveals the Best Advice He Ever Got About Parenting: ‘Another Way of Looking at Things’ (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Jeff Goldblumreceived one of his favorite parenting tips before he even had children.

TheWickedactor, 72, says the memorable advice came when his wife, former Olympian rhythmic gymnast Emilie, 41, was pregnant with theirolder son Charlie, now 9.

“Somebody said — and I forget who I had this conversation with, sometimes that happens — but they said, ‘Hey, here’s the most important thing about parenting: Don’t forget that your kids are hilarious,’ ” Goldblum, who also shares son River, 7, with Emilie, tells PEOPLE.

He hasn’t forgotten. “The kids can drive you nuts from one moment to another, or you can have all sorts of drama,” he says. “But if you can keep finding the humor in it, that’s not a bad rule.”

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River Joe Goldblum, Jeff Goldblum, Emilie Livingston and Charlie Ocean Goldblum.Michael Buckner/Variety/Penske Media/Getty

Michael Buckner/Variety/Penske Media/Getty

“There’s a kind of a toothy thing going on there. It’s just great. It’s not only funny, but it’s funny-slash-amazing," he says.

The actor — who offered up his hilarious rules for life in the new issue of PEOPLE — also recommends staying grounded in whatever way you can and finding something that keeps you “human, authentic and not full of yourself.”

Jeff Goldblum and his wife Emilie on Nov. 3 in Australia.Saverio Marfia/Getty

Saverio Marfia/Getty

For Goldblum, that’s his wife, his kids and his poodle Woody: “He doesn’t care that I’m in any movies, of course, and the kids don’t either. And neither does Emilie, really. I mean, they like it, but more important things are going on with them, and who I am seems to be more important when I’m around them," he says.

TheJurassic Parkactor previously opened up about fatherhoodin an August interview withThe Independent.

“It’s amazing. Every emotion comes up, and you are forced to examine everything that you model and could be better at. It’s a great task and opportunity,” he said.

In an April chat on the podcastTable for Two with Bruce Bozzi, Goldblum also saidhe tells his sons they’ll need to work to support themselveswhen they’re older: “‘Hey, you know, you’ve got to row your own boat.’”

Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Yeoh in ‘Wicked.'.Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures

Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures

“It’s an important thing to teach kids,” he continued. “I’m not going to do it for you. And you’re not going to want me to do it for you.”

For more on Jeff Goldblum, pick up the new issue of PEOPLE.

Wickedis in theaters now.

source: people.com