Rosie O’Donnell recently took a moment to reflect on the immense joy she has experienced since the arrival of her grandson, Anthony Joel, born in March to her son Blake and his wife Teresa. The actress and comedian attended the 2026 Tony Awards on June 7, where she enthusiastically shared insights about her evolving role as a grandmother for the fifth time.
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At 64 years old, O’Donnell expressed her delight in witnessing Blake transition into fatherhood, noting the emotional resonance of seeing her son, now a parent, brings back memories of his own childhood. “To see my son as a parent and to remember him as a baby — it is absolutely — I can’t stop crying,” she revealed during her interview with PEOPLE. Her heartfelt words encapsulate the profound sense of nostalgia and pride that often accompanies such familial milestones.
Rosie, who has a total of five children—two sons, Parker, 30, and Blake, along with daughters Chelsea, 28, and Vivienne, 23, and her youngest, 13-year-old Clay—revealed that each of her children brings unique joys to her grandmotherly experience. As her family continues to grow, the loving bond O’Donnell shares with her grandchildren becomes increasingly integral to her life.
In a light-hearted moment, O’Donnell recounted a recent conversation with Blake, who joked about his son’s evident attachment. “He said to me, ‘Mommy, I don’t want you to be upset, but the baby’s really into me, and you might not get to hold him that much.’ First, I was a bit upset, but then I thought, wait a minute, that’s a beautiful thing,” she recalled. This sense of humour amidst the emotions illustrates the loving dynamic within their family.
Blake’s tender interactions with baby Anthony have also caught O’Donnell’s attention. She described how her son has developed his own way of soothing the baby: “He looks at him and goes, ‘Hey my baby boy,’ and [the baby] starts laughing, and he’s only two months old.” This special connection, coupled with the burgeoning family ties, showcases the deepening relationship between father and son.
Rosie announced the birth of Anthony Joel O’Donnell on social media, sharing a touching black-and-white photograph of his tiny foot. “Anthony Joel O’Donnell has arrived! And my heart burst open,” she wrote in a post on March 28, celebrating the newest addition to the family. Her accompanying message of love for Teresa and Blake was unambiguous: “Congratulations to mama Teresa n Blake Christopher — I love u so ❤️❤️❤️.”
Blake and Teresa’s news of expecting their first child came about a year after they tied the knot, announced with a charming post displaying a baby onesie hanging beside a sonogram photo, set against a vibrant backdrop of sunflowers. The couple’s joyful announcement signalled a new chapter not only for them but also for O’Donnell, who eagerly anticipates the moments to come with her expanding family.
Earlier in 2023, Rosie celebrated another milestone when her daughter Chelsea welcomed her first son, Atlas. Chelsea is also the mother of three daughters: Skylar Rose, 7, Riley, 5, and Avery Lynn, 4. With multiple grandchildren now filling her life with joy, O’Donnell’s role as a grandmother certainly keeps her busy, but she embraces it with warmth and enthusiasm.
As O’Donnell prepares for her upcoming Broadway debut in a one-woman show later this summer, her experiences as a grandmother undoubtedly provide her with a wealth of inspiration and stories to share. The intersection of family, career, and personal joy continues to shape the notable comedian’s narrative, and it seems her heart is bursting with love as her family grows in new and beautiful ways.