Getty

It’s a funny thing about show biz. Sure, we know celebs certainly don’t live like the rest of us — sometimes we forget they’re people. Like what happens when a TV star’s show is canceled and all of a sudden they’re home with the family? Kinda’ echoes what unemployed folks have been experiencing (sans stress of the non-paychecks), but still, the situation is similar, yes?

This is why I found it interesting that Chris O’Donnell told the Jacksonville Observer that he’s ready to get back to work. Now, he’s not an “out of work” actor by any means. When you’re a movie star, let’s just imagine the schedule, shall we? You’re on location away from your family and working intense, long days, day after day after day.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. Cry me a river! Intense schedules aside, once the filming wraps, so does their gig until, of course, they audition for another one. Well, O’Donnell will be back on set, this time on a television show for CBS, the spin-off series NCIS: Los Angeles.

He tells the Observer, “I had been interested in doing television just as a general idea. I think it’s an exciting format. There’s some great stuff being done.” Logistically it seems to make sense. He’s the proud papa of five kids and says there are a lot of mouths to feed in his home.

He continues, “I like being busy to set an example for my kids. I came out of college and was working nonstop. Then I stopped for a while and had a bunch of kids. Then all of a sudden I’m sitting at home and my kids are looking at me like, ‘What are you doing?’ I’m like, ‘I don’t know what I’m doing. I think I’m ready to get back to work.’ I’ve been real busy the last couple of years and it feels really good. I hope this show works out and we can do it for many years to come.”

Kudos to Chris for morphing into TV mode and setting a good example for his kids! Would you do the same? If you were in his shoes would you go back to work or become a full-time Mr. Mom assuming finances were fully intact?

The New York Times

I kinda like to kick it old school. I love walking on the Brooklyn Bridge. Keeping things simple like having mentors or really good conversations that dive beneath the surface for hours, or sending thank-you cards via snail mail. So, when it comes to a feel-good celebrity who seems part hero, part down-to-earth real guy, part larger than life, no one could surpass our modern day hero, Lance Armstrong.

Well, in this year’s Tour de France, he finished in an unlikely place. Check that, an unfamiliar place. That’s right: Armstrong finished third. What he said may surprise you: he felt it was good for his kids to see him not win. After all, could you imagine being his kids, learning first-hand about discipline and toughness, agility and athleticism? Victory after victory both on and off the cycling circuit?

Armstrong explained, “Because they saw their dad that never lost, and the kids in their class [say] ‘your dad never loses,’ so it’s good for them to see dad get third and still be cool with that and still be happy.”

His star just seems to shine brighter and brighter in this writer’s book. We’re blessed to have a modern day hero and moreover, his nine-year-old son, seven-year-old twins, and newborn are very blessed to have a dad like him. Viva le Armstrong!

What are your thoughts? Aside from Armstrong who do you think is the quintessential present day hero that’s mythical and astounding beyond words?

Okay, consider this a gratuitous post but, you know what? We just can’t resist. Ever hear of the song by Fountains of Wayne called, Stacy’s Mom? You know the tune, right? The frontman croons about having a crush on a friend’s mom: “Stacy’s mom has got it goin’ on. She’s all I want and I’ve waited for so long. Stacy, can’t you see you’re just not the girl for me. I know it might be wrong but I’m in love with Stacy’s mom.”

Well, could you imagine this in reverse? Your daughter is hanging out with Hugh Jackman’s son. And um, in the spirit of the song you can guess what happens next! A little crusheroo perhaps on the boy’s dad?

Maybe it’s the fact that he’s over-the-top talented, good-looking, and seems incredibly sincere. But Hugh Jackman has been happily married since 1996 and has two kids to whom he’s unabashedly devoted.

The Australian superstar recently dished that his nine-year-old adopted son, Oscar Maximillian, has been spotting pretty girls left and right. Now, even though Oscar has a new hobby of scoping out girls, we can only wonder how many of them will end up with a crush on his papa! Apparently his opening line is, “Hey, my Dad’s Wolverine.” And then he proceeds to ask his Dad to do some autographs for his new lady friends.

Hmmmm, do you think there’s anything wrong with Oscar pimpin’ out his Dad in the name of flirting?

(Photo: Stewart Shining)

Startracks

So the fact that I’m writing about a former New York Met is quite ironic (die-hard Yankees fan here). But alas, this is not the topic of my blog, sweet pea!

Rather, let’s dish about the lifestyles of the rich and famous retired athletes. Mike Piazza, at the ripe ol’ age of 40, has hung up his catcher’s mitt and baseball bat for diapers and onesies. His schedule allows for free time with his two year-old caughter, Nicoletta Veronica. While he was recently quoted as saying he’s excited to be at home and enjoy moments with his kid (soon to be plural since his wife is expecting), I couldn’t help but ponder.

Do retired athletes with monster bank accounts and idle time channel their sports skill set into child rearing? Their whole life has been groomed toward fitness, competitiveness, staying in shape, and being on top of their mental and physical game. I can only imagine how their life lessons could be translated onto their offspring.

Plus, assuming he has spare time by not working a typical 9-to-6 job, does Piazza shuttle his daughter to playgroups? Will he play a game of catch on the front lawn? Will he become a Little League coach down the road? Hmmmm.

While we can only imagine how the uber-rich athletes raise their children out of the public’s eye, it may depend on the family and how they choose to raise their family. For instance, Piazza always struck me as down-to-earth and focused. Now that his baseball career is over, he seems to be fully committed to his family.

I once heard the talented former Yankees third baseman Scott Brosius say that after he retired from the sport he became involved with car pools, class trips, and his kids’ church groups. After all, he joked he was one of the few fathers in the neighborhood who was “unemployed!”