Luke Wilson has revealed he is ‘very proud’ after quietly welcoming a baby with his longtime partner, Kendall Yates, 24.
The 54-year-old has said that becoming a father for the first time has fulfilled a long-held ambition.
The Old School and Legally Blonde star confirmed the news of his new arrival while attending the premiere of his new Netflix television series The Hawk, with Will Ferrell.
It came after reports earlier in the week suggested he and Kendall had recently welcomed their first child together, after multiple outlets said that the couple had arrived at the Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach, California for the show’s press reception, carrying their new arrival in a carrier.
The couple, who have been linked since 2023 and made their public debut at the premiere after-party for Kevin Costner’s ill-fated cowboy movie Horizon: An American Saga in June 2024, have not publicly disclosed their baby’s name or sex.
Luke has long spoken about wanting children after watching his older actor brothers, Owen Wilson, 57, and Andrew Wilson, 61, embrace fatherhood.
Speaking to Entertainment Tonight at the premiere of The Hawk on Thursday night, Luke reflected on his new role as a parent, saying: ‘It’s just what everybody says about it, but I’m just trying to do a good job.
‘I’m very proud to be a dad.’
The actor has spoken for several years about hoping to have children of his own, often drawing inspiration from spending time with his nieces and nephews.
Appearing on Conan O’Brien’s late-night show in 2020, Luke said: ‘I think I am a fun uncle.’
He continued: ‘I get along great with (my family’s kids); they are really fun kids. I mean, during this pandemic, I did have a kind of Shining-type moment with Owen’s son Ford, where I was saying, “You know I love you, don’t you, Ford? You’re a good boy”.’
Luke added at the time: ‘I get along great with those guys, they’re great little kids and definitely the kind that make me want to have some kids of my own, which I should get on sooner rather than later.’
The actor also joked he was conscious of becoming a father later in life, referencing the late actor Anthony Quinn, who welcomed a child as an older parent.
Luke quipped: ‘I mean, Anthony Quinn, he had a child when he was 80. I just don’t want to be one of those dads that has to pay somebody in the neighbourhood to throw the football with his kid (when) he can’t.’
He previously dated Drew Barrymore and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Alongside his best-known film roles, Luke is also recognised for The Royal Tenenbaums, Idiocracy, Stargirl and the television series Enlightened, while the Wilson family remains one of Hollywood’s best-known acting dynasties.
In a 2023 interview with The Knockturnal, Luke again spoke about the close relationship he enjoys with his extended family.
He said: ‘I try, for better or worse, treat (children) as adults, as equals.
‘I’ve always gotten along with my brother Andrew and my brother Owen’s kids.
‘The best and worst part of being around kids is they’re just so brutally honest at all times.’
Owen, who is known for films including Wedding Crashers, Zoolander and Cars, and TV show Loki, is the father of three children.
He has son Robert Ford, 15, with former girlfriend Jade Duell, and Finn, 12, with trainer Caroline Lindqvist, as well as daughter Lyla Aranya, seven, with Varunie Vongsvirates – whom he has reportedly never met.
Andrew is thought to have a son, Joseph, with former partner Nnogo Obiamiwe.