**Emmy Rossum Cherishes Family Moments as Halloween Brings Joy to Parenting**
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Actress Emmy Rossum has taken a moment to reflect on the joyful exuberance of family life, particularly through shared experiences with her children. The star, known for her role in “Shameless,” recently opened up about a delightful Halloween celebration in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE at the 2026 WSJ. Magazine Innovator Awards, held at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.
Rossum, 40, is the mother of two young children—a daughter, aged five, and a son, three. She shares them with her husband, writer, and filmmaker Sam Esmail. The actress described her recent Halloween activities as particularly fulfilling, noting the significance of these moments in building cherished memories with her family.
“We’re in full Star Wars land right now,” she said, highlighting the themed festivities that have captivated their household this season. The actress embraced the Halloween spirit during her children’s school party, where the family dressed up in an impressive array of costumes—Rossum as Darth Vader, her daughter as Mini Darth, a Stormtrooper in the mix, and Esmail as Obi-Wan Kenobi. “There was a Leia moment, but the costume was looking not like Leia,” she quipped, showcasing her light-hearted approach to parenting.
In discussing her children’s activities, Rossum expressed her joy in the creative opportunities that Halloween offers. “Every ballet class and every gymnastics class, you get to wear your costume,” she explained. Her home seems well-stocked for the occasion, she added, with an abundance of dress-up costumes ensuring that they never find themselves short of options. “We have lots of looks,” she remarked, invoking a sense of fun that characterises their family life.
Married since 2017, Rossum and Esmail welcomed their daughter in May 2021 and their son in April 2023. While the couple has chosen not to disclose their children’s names publicly, their experiences as parents have increasingly become part of Rossum’s narrative in interviews.
In a July conversation with PEOPLE, Rossum delved deeper into her journey of motherhood. She shared insights about fostering a positive internal dialogue, noting that she believes her children can sense her feelings. “I feel like they can read my mind sometimes,” she revealed, emphasising the importance of kindness toward oneself. Rossum expressed that she wants to model self-love and resilience for her children, believing it essential for their development.
The actress also discussed the pressures that come from social media, referring to the mental health challenges of maintaining positivity in an online world. “Too much time online can cause us to be unkind to ourselves,” she said, advocating for a healthier internal conversation. “I think it’s important to talk to ourselves kindly, to be our own best friend, because that’s what I want for my kids.”
Another significant aspect of Rossum’s parenting philosophy is her choice to raise her children outside of the Hollywood spotlight. She discussed with Esmail their desire to avoid Los Angeles, a place neither particularly wanted to call home. “He’s from Jersey, and I’m from New York, so it feels very right that we’re in the city,” she shared, reflecting on their decision to cultivate a lifestyle firmly rooted in the bustling cultural landscape of New York.
The couple appears to take pride in creating a grounded existence for their children amidst the complexity and chaos of urban life. Rossum expressed that they strive to provide a rich environment that will nurture their children’s growth.
Through her candid insights, Emmy Rossum not only highlights the joy of parenting but also addresses the broader themes of self-acceptance and resilience that she wishes to impart to her family. As she navigates the challenges of motherhood and the demands of her career, Rossum continues to embrace the everyday moments that bring meaning to her life and to create lasting memories with her loved ones.
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