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The O’Donnell Five: Inside Chris O’Donnell’s Private Family Life And What His Children Are Doing Now

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Chris O’Donnell, the veteran actor best known for his long-running role as Special Agent G. Callen on *NCIS: Los Angeles*, has successfully maintained one of Hollywood’s most stable and private family lives. As of late December 2025, the actor and his wife, Caroline Fentress, are celebrating over 28 years of marriage and the incredible journey of raising their five children, who are now all young adults and teenagers.

The O'Donnell family dynamic is a fascinating mix of Hollywood heritage and grounded normalcy, a balance Chris O'Donnell has championed since stepping back from the blockbuster spotlight of the 90s. From their eldest, Lily Anne, who is exploring the arts, to the youngest, Maeve, the "O’Donnell Five" are quietly forging their own paths while maintaining a close-knit bond with their famous father.

Christopher Eugene O’Donnell: A Hollywood Biography

Before diving into the lives of his children, it is essential to understand the man who prioritized family over fame: Christopher Eugene O’Donnell. Born on June 26, 1970, in Winnetka, Illinois, O'Donnell was one of seven children, a background that heavily influenced his desire for a large, supportive family of his own.

His career took off at a young age, starting with modeling and commercial work. He quickly transitioned to film, earning critical acclaim and a Golden Globe nomination for his role as Charlie Simms alongside Al Pacino in the 1992 film *Scent of a Woman*.

The 90s saw O'Donnell become a major Hollywood heartthrob, notably playing the iconic role of Dick Grayson/Robin in the blockbuster films *Batman Forever* (1995) and *Batman & Robin* (1997).

However, after a period of intense fame, he took a step back, a decision he credits with allowing him to focus on his personal life. This led to his marriage to Caroline Fentress in 1997 and the subsequent birth of their five children. His career saw a major resurgence when he landed the role of G. Callen on *NCIS: Los Angeles*, a show that ran for 14 seasons, allowing him to work close to his Los Angeles home.

Chris O’Donnell & Caroline Fentress Family Profile:

  • Full Name: Christopher Eugene O’Donnell
  • Born: June 26, 1970 (Age 55 in 2025)
  • Birthplace: Winnetka, Illinois, U.S.
  • Wife: Caroline Fentress (m. 1997)
  • Children: Five (Lily Anne, Christopher Jr., Charles, Finley, Maeve)
  • Education: Boston College (B.A. in Marketing)
  • Known For: *Scent of a Woman*, *Batman Forever*, *NCIS: Los Angeles*

The Five O’Donnell Children: Ages, Interests, and Surprising Cameos

The core of Chris O'Donnell's life has always been his family, and he and his wife, Caroline Fentress, have five children: two daughters and three sons. The family is known for their tight-knit bond and the children's occasional, subtle appearances in their father's work, particularly on *NCIS: Los Angeles*.

1. Lily Anne O’Donnell (Daughter)

As the eldest, Lily Anne O’Donnell was born on September 3, 2001, making her approximately 24 years old in late 2025. She has the unique distinction of being born in New Zealand, where her father was filming the action thriller *Vertical Limit* at the time.

Lily Anne has shown a strong inclination toward the arts, following in her father's footsteps. She expressed an interest in acting from a young age and even appeared in a 2010 episode of *NCIS: Los Angeles* when she was just 10 years old. Her professional profile on sites like Backstage confirms her continued interest in a career in acting.

2. Christopher "Chip" O’Donnell Jr. (Son)

Christopher Jr., affectionately nicknamed "Chip," is the eldest son. Born around 2003, he is approximately 22 years old in 2025. Chip shares his father's name and is widely known for his athletic interests. Like his siblings, he has kept his personal life relatively private, but the family often shares glimpses of their time together, highlighting their active lifestyle.

3. Charles "Charlie" O’Donnell (Son)

Charles O’Donnell, or Charlie, is the middle child. Born around 2005, he is approximately 20 years old in 2025. He is known to have a close relationship with his siblings and has also made brief, uncredited appearances on *NCIS: Los Angeles*, often in background roles or as part of a crowd scene, a fun tradition the O'Donnell family kept quiet for years.

4. Finley O’Donnell (Son)

Finley O’Donnell is the third son, born around 2008, making him approximately 17 years old in late 2025. As he is still in his late teenage years, details about his long-term career path are minimal, but he is often featured in family photos, showcasing his father’s commitment to being a present and involved parent despite his demanding filming schedule.

5. Maeve O’Donnell (Daughter)

Maeve O’Donnell is the youngest of the O’Donnell Five. Born around 2010, she is approximately 15 years old in late 2025. Maeve completes the family unit and, like her older siblings, has been raised away from the harshest spotlight of celebrity culture, allowing her to enjoy a relatively normal upbringing in Los Angeles.

The Secret Family Tradition on NCIS: Los Angeles

One of the most unique and endearing aspects of Chris O'Donnell's family life is their quiet connection to his major television project. For years, the *NCIS: Los Angeles* star would subtly include his children in the show, a detail that went largely unnoticed by the general public.

This wasn't a grand, scripted moment, but rather a fun, behind-the-scenes family tradition. Chris O'Donnell arranged for his children to appear as background extras in various episodes. This allowed the kids to visit their father on set and get a firsthand look at the entertainment industry, fulfilling a promise to let them experience the world he works in.

  • Lily Anne had a small speaking role as a child actress in a 2010 episode.
  • Other children, including Charles and Christopher Jr., appeared in non-speaking roles, often as students or passersby in scenes filmed on location.

This practice highlights O'Donnell’s commitment to integrating his professional and personal lives in a healthy way. By bringing his children onto the set, he demystified the Hollywood process and made his demanding job a shared family experience, rather than a barrier.

Chris O’Donnell’s Philosophy on Fatherhood and Fame

Chris O'Donnell’s decision to step away from the big-budget film roles after *Batman & Robin* was a conscious effort to build a stable family foundation with his wife, Caroline Fentress. He often speaks about the importance of being present, a value that stems from his own large, supportive family upbringing in Illinois.

His work on *NCIS: Los Angeles* was ideal because it provided the stability of a long-running series with a regular filming location in Southern California, allowing him to be home every night to raise his five children. This focus on domestic life and avoiding the constant travel of a film career is a key reason why the O'Donnell children have been able to grow up with a significant degree of privacy and normalcy, despite their father's fame.

The close-knit nature of the O'Donnell family is a testament to the actor's dedication to his role as a husband and father. As Lily Anne, Chip, Charlie, Finley, and Maeve continue to grow, their individual journeys—whether in the arts, athletics, or other fields—will undoubtedly be supported by the strong, grounded foundation laid by Chris O'Donnell and Caroline Fentress.

chris o'donnell children
chris o'donnell children

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