Benedict Cumberbatch Gives Rare Insights into Life as Dad of 3: 'Huge Shift in Priorities'

Mar. 15, 2025

Benedict Cumberbatch attends the photocall of “The Power Of The Dog” during the 78th Venice International Film Festival on September 02, 2021.Photo:Daniele Venturelli/WireImage

Daniele Venturelli/WireImage

Benedict Cumberbatch’slife changed when he became a dad.

In aVarietyinterview posted on Wednesday, Jan. 22, the actor, 48, shared that since he’s become a father – he sharessons Christopher “Kit,” 9, Hal, 7, and Finn, 6, with wifeSophie Hunter— his priorities in life have shifted.

“The minute you have kids this sense of time sinks in far more profoundly,” he told the outlet.

“My youngest is turning 6 tomorrow, and I’m like, ‘I will be in my 60s when he’s 21,’ you know? It’s crazy. It’s gone so fast,” Cumberbatch continued. “So there’s a huge shift in priorities, and it makes you value what you do with your life in a very different way.”

He added, “It does weigh on me. When you become a parent, your thoughts turn more towards mortality.”

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Sophie Hunter (left) and Benedict Cumberbatch in 2021.Karwai Tang/WireImage

Karwai Tang/WireImage

Although Cumberbatch rarely speaks about his kids, in February 2022 the actor referencedhis family in his speechwhile receiving his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

While praising his wife for her support, the actor noted, “Together, we’ve created an amazing family ofthree extraordinary little human beings, who again, I would say a lot about, but you know what I feel about them, and this is public.”

“They’re amazing, and they taught me a lot of what I now do and know, and they’ve also undone a lot of what I do,” he added.

Cumberbatch then shared a bit about his family’s home life, saying that his kids treat him just like any other parent.

Benedict Cumberbatch (left) and Sophie Hunter in 2022.Momodu Mansaray/Getty

Momodu Mansaray/Getty

He continued, “Should anyone wonder if I can’t recover from this kind of celebration and ego pump, ‘Shut up, daddy,’ ‘Stupid fart face,’ being hit in the face, fought over … is a daily occurrence for me at home, so thank you for keeping me grounded, boys.”

He concluded, “One day in disguises, maybe we’ll sneak out here and have a little photograph all together on daddy’s star. You’re my little stars, and I adore you.”

source: people.com