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Home • News

Special Tribute to Celebrity Fathers

ESSENCE.com's Special Tribute to Celebrity Fathers
By Essence · Updated October 30, 2020
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Father Knows Best

In celebration of Father’s Day, we salute our favorite celebrity dads.

President Obama squeezes in time for a few laughs with Sasha and Malia.

Read President Obama’s speech on fatherhood and mentoring »

Los Angeles Lakers star Derek Fisher on how his daughter’s rare illness taught him the true meaning of love »

Special Tribute to Celebrity Fathers
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My Little Angel

Oscar winner Jamie Foxx and daughter Corinne Foxx give photographers their best shot backstage during at an event in Las Vegas in April 2009.

Read President Obama’s speech on fatherhood and mentoring »

Special Tribute to Celebrity Fathers
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Daddy and I

Denzel Washington, a father of four, gets a little help presenting the best movie award from daughter Katia at the MTV Movie Awards in May 2009.

Los Angeles Lakers star Derek Fisher on how his daughter’s rare illness taught him the true meaning of love »

Special Tribute to Celebrity Fathers
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04
A Love Supreme

Actor–author Blair Underwood with sons Paris and Blake and daughter Brielle. “I love being a father. I love every minute of it,” shares Underwood.

Los Angeles Lakers star Derek Fisher on how his daughter’s rare illness taught him the true meaning of love »

Special Tribute to Celebrity Fathers
Sinden Collier
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The Murphy Clan

Eddie Murphy brings his children along for the premiere of his new film “Imagine That” in Los Angeles on June 6.

Special Tribute to Celebrity Fathers
Evans Ward©Berliner Studio/BEImages
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Say Cheese!

Chris and Malaak Rock and daughters Lola and Zahra share camera time with “High School Musical” star Corbin Bleu at this year’s Kids’ Choice Awards.

Los Angeles Lakers star Derek Fisher on how his daughter’s rare illness taught him the true meaning of love »

Special Tribute to Celebrity Fathers
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Hollywood Royalty

Oldest son Tre, little brother Jaden and baby sister Willow are the apples of Will and Jada Pinkett Smith’s eye.

Los Angeles Lakers star Derek Fisher on how his daughter’s rare illness taught him the true meaning of love »

Special Tribute to Celebrity Fathers
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08
Diddy’s Little Girls

Sean “Diddy” Combs, father of four, sits pretty with his precious twin girls, Jessie and D’Lila.

Read President Obama’s speech on fatherhood and mentoring »

Special Tribute to Celebrity Fathers
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09
Charitable Efforts

Boris Kodjoe transports 2-year-old son Nicolas in the R Baby Foundation Mother’s Day Run/Walk in Central Park on May 10, 2009, in New York City. He and wife Nicole Ari also have a daughter, Sophie, 4.

Read President Obama’s speech on fatherhood and mentoring »

Los Angeles Lakers star Derek Fisher on how his daughter’s rare illness taught him the true meaning of love »

Special Tribute to Celebrity Fathers
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10
All in the Family

When comedian, author and radio host Steve Harvey remarried, he not only landed a loving wife but an extended family too. “The greatest thing that’s ever happened to me is the union of this family,” says Harvey.

Harvey with (from left) Jason, Lori, twins Brandi and Karli, Stevie, Wynton and Morgan.

Special Tribute to Celebrity Fathers
Sinden Collier
11
Father Knows Best

“My child has such potential and a great heart,” says music star Wyclef Jean of daughter Angelina.

Los Angeles Lakers star Derek Fisher on how his daughter’s rare illness taught him the true meaning of love »

Special Tribute to Celebrity Fathers
Sinden Collier
12
Up, Up and Away

Little Kiyan takes flight with a big boost from pop Carmelo Anthony.

Los Angeles Lakers star Derek Fisher on how his daughter’s rare illness taught him the true meaning of love »

Special Tribute to Celebrity Fathers
Jenna Walker
13
Stepping Out

Laurence Fishburne and daughter Montana (her brother Langston is not pictured) arrive at the National Dream Gala to celebrate the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial groundbreaking. Fishburne also has a daughter with second wife and actress, Gina Torres, named Delilah.

Special Tribute to Celebrity Fathers
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14
Our Favorite Reality TV Dad

The Simmonses—Reverend Run, Justine, Diggy, Vanessa, Russy, JoJo and Angela—keep us in stitches on their MTV reality show “Run’s House.”

Special Tribute to Celebrity Fathers
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15
Quality Time

Kevin Liles, executive vice-president of the Warner Music Group, with Kevin, Jr., and Kayla, says, “every moment with my children matters.”

Los Angeles Lakers star Derek Fisher on how his daughter’s rare illness taught him the true meaning of love »

Special Tribute to Celebrity Fathers
Sinden Collier
16
Just Kidding Around

Bill Bellamy out with his wife, Kristen Baker, and their children, Bailey and Baron, at the 3rd annual Kidstock Music and Art Festival recently.

Read President Obama’s speech on fatherhood and mentoring »

Special Tribute to Celebrity Fathers
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17
Generations

Russell Simmons with daughters Ming Lee and Aoki Lee and nieces Vanessa and Angela.

Los Angeles Lakers star Derek Fisher on how his daughter’s rare illness taught him the true meaning of love »

Special Tribute to Celebrity Fathers
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18
The Jackson Three

Samuel L. Jackson out and about with daughter Zoe and wife LaTanya at the 23rd Annual American Cinematheque Awards in December 2008.

Special Tribute to Celebrity Fathers
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Daddy’s Girl

“My daughter was pretty special from the moment she came here,” gushes “Grey’s Anatomy” star James Pickens, Jr., with daughter Gavyn.

Special Tribute to Celebrity Fathers
Sinden Collier
20
Spending Time (and Money) With Daddy

Bobby Brown hits the mall with Bobbi Kristina, his daughter with ex-wife Whitney Houston.

Los Angeles Lakers star Derek Fisher on how his daughter’s rare illness taught him the true meaning of love »

Special Tribute to Celebrity Fathers
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NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 20: Wyclef Jean and daugher Angelina Claudinelle Jean pose for a photo during the NBC’s ‘Today Show’ kick off of Jumstart’s ‘Read for the Record’ in Rockefeller Plaza on September 20, 2007 in New York City.(Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images)

Special Tribute to Celebrity Fathers
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Special Tribute to Celebrity Fathers
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