**Dennis Quaid Reflects on Fatherhood and New Documentary at Nashville Premiere**
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Hollywood actor Dennis Quaid attended the premiere of his latest documentary, ‘Water Wars,’ at The Woolworth Theatre in Nashville on 2nd September 2026. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Quaid shared heartfelt reflections on his recent experiences of becoming an empty-nester as his twin children, Thomas and Zoe, embark on their college journey.
The 72-year-old star conveyed both the joys and challenges of this new chapter in his life, revealing that leaving his children at the college dormitory was an emotionally significant experience. “I really miss the kids,” Quaid stated. “It was very emotional, letting them off at school. They’re at the dorm. It always surprises you.”
Quaid reminisced about his own experiences with fatherhood, recalling the poignant moment he dropped off his eldest son, Jack Quaid, at the airport en route to New York University. He noted, “It really gets emotional. You remember everything all at once.” Jack, who is now 34, is also pursuing a successful acting career, much like his father.
Zoe is currently enrolled at the University of Virginia, while Thomas is attending the University of Colorado Boulder. The twins are Quaid’s children with his third wife, Kimberly Buffington, whilst Jack is from his previous marriage to actress Meg Ryan. Speaking on the twins’ new independence, Quaid expressed feelings of pride and trepidation: “They’re just starting out and you think, how are they gonna make their way? And then they do.”
In addition to discussing his family life, Quaid spoke about the themes explored in ‘Water Wars,’ revealing that the documentary unearthed personal connections for him. The film delves into a critical legal battle over water rights in Texas, contrasting the interests of ranchers and farmers with those of the state’s affluent landowners.
Quaid noted the importance of the subject matter, asserting, “Not since Chinatown [in 1974] have we had a movie about water.” His own experiences living in Texas and on a ranch in Montana have deepened his engagement with the topic. He described challenges he faced while sourcing water, explaining, “We were living off of cisterns in Montana for several years up there. It took us a while to find water until we had a diviner come out to the property.”
His narration of the documentary goes beyond a typical storytelling role, as Quaid shared how his personal journey with water scarcity informed his understanding of the film’s content. Reflecting on their search for water, he recalled how a diviner accurately predicted the location and depth of water sources on his property, illustrating the tangible connection between the subject of the film and his own life.
With ‘Water Wars’ set to premiere on Prime Video on 4th September, the actor is looking forward to its public reception. The documentary aims to shed light on the critical water disputes affecting communities and the environment, an issue that resonates with audiences beyond Texas.
As Dennis Quaid navigates this new phase of fatherhood, he embraces both the bittersweet nature of seeing his children grow and the excitement surrounding his latest cinematic venture. While the emotional toll of parting with his kids weighs heavy, he finds solace in creatively engaging with important issues that affect society as a whole.
‘Water Wars’ sets out to spark conversations about water rights, a timeless and often underexplored topic in contemporary dialogue. With its impending release, Quaid hopes to not just entertain, but also educate viewers about the importance of water, further enriching the discourse on this vital resource.