Annie Potts, husband James Hayman and sons Clay, Harry and James.Photo:Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty
Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty
Annie Pottsis known for playing a beloved mom and grandma onYoung Sheldon, and she’s as devoted to her three children off-screen: Clay, James and Harry.
Potts became a mom for the first time when she and her former husband, B. Scott Senechal, welcomed their son Clay in 1981. After their split, she married Emmy-nominated director and producer James Hayman, and together, they welcomed sons James and Harry in 1992 and 1995, respectively.
Though Potts saw early success withGhostbustersandDesigning Women, she decided to slow down to spend more time with her boys. Despite their age gaps, the trio has formed tight bonds with one another, and the actress couldn’t be happier.
“Now that they’re proper grown ups, they’re really close,” Potts said on theReally Famouspodcast in 2019. “Honestly, their relationships are everything I’d hoped — they love each other, they support each other, they make each other laugh. The youngest and the oldest are both writers, and they always put their work past their brother first.”
Here’s everything to know about Annie Potts' children: Clay, James and Harry.
Annie Potts and her son Clay Senechal.Annie Potts Instagram
Annie Potts Instagram
Potts and Senechal welcomed their first and only child together, son Clay Samuel Senechal, on April 29, 1981.
Not much is known about his upbringing, but he did attend the 1989 premiere ofGhostbusters IIwith his mom. Decades later, Clay graduated from Brown University in 2004 with a bachelor’s in English — a degree he put to good use when he followed Potts into the entertainment industry.
Clay describes himself as a writer, creator and executive producer onLinkedIn, having worked for major studios like DreamWorks, FX and Prime Video. He even wrote a Netflix animated film in which his mother voiced a character, and shortly after its release, she celebrated his accomplishment on his birthday.
Annie Potts and son Clay Senechal attend the premiere of ‘Ghostbusters II’ on June 15, 1989.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty
“My wonderful son Clay turns 40 today,” she wrote onInstagramin 2021. “He is everything I dreamed he would be. ❤️❤️ (PS Watch his movieArlo the Alligator Boynow streaming on #Netflix! I’m one of the voices… 😍).”
Potts often brags about her grandchild, including sharing aphotoof him holding a book as an infant. “Silas, (my newest grandson) is quite advanced… 😍,” she joked.
Annie Potts' son James Hayman poses for a photo with a dog.Annie Potts Instagram
Two years after Potts and Hayman married, they announced the birth of their son, James Powell Hayman, on May 28, 1992.
“RENFIELDCOMES OUT TODAY!!” he wrote onInstagramin April 2023. “My first full staff job as a Background PA, 2.5 looong months of nights, some blood (a lot of blood), sweat, and tears poured into this film, and probably one of the hardest productions I’ve ever worked on."
Annie Potts, James Hayman and sons Harry and James.Frank Trapper/Corbis/Getty
Frank Trapper/Corbis/Getty
Apart from working behind the camera, James is also a DJ and musician, who oftenpromotes his gigson Instagram. However, he made a different kind of announcement when he shared that he was going to be a dad. “The Best Song I’ve ever written is coming this summer. Release Date: July, 2021," he wrote alongsidea photoof a sonogram.
James and his partnerKatrina Englewelcomed a son in 2021, and Potts was ecstatic. “We’ve GOT ONE!!!” the actress wroteon Facebook. “Introducing our very first grandchild. Cassius James Hayman! 😍 He was born today at 11am and weighs 8 lbs. We are THRILLED!”
Today, James lives in New Orleans with his family, but he took a “boys trip” with Cash in November 2022 to celebrate his mom’s birthday.
“Popped out to LA to help my Mom celebrate 70 rotations around a hot gas ball in space… but most importantly Cassius got to see his FANCY and meet his new cousin!” he wrote onInstagram. “So bittersweet to be home for so short but happy to have also given @katrinaaamaylee a quiet house for a few days 😇Love you mama! @thisisanniepotts.”
Annie Potts and her son Harry Hayman.Annie Potts Instagram
Harry has done a bit of acting in shows likeJoan of ArcadiaandHot Hot Los Angeles, but these days, he’s more focused on poetry. Though his Instagram is private, he describes himself as a ”poet. talker. [and] vigilance relaxed” in his bio.
Potts shares occasional glimpses of her youngest on her own Instagram, including photos of their travels together. They enjoyed a divingexcursion in Anguillain 2021 and took atrip to Englandtwo years later.
Harry leads a private life, but when he was young, he joined his parents on the red carpet for the 1999 premiere ofToy Story 2, in which Potts voiced the character Bo Peep.
source: people.com