Dennis Quaid on parenting and juggling acting: 'you have to do what you can'

February 20, 2026 - 22:41

Veteran actor Dennis Quaid is opening up about the delicate balance between a prolific Hollywood career and the responsibilities of parenthood. As he promotes his latest film, "I Can Only Imagine 2," which hits theaters today, Quaid shared his philosophy on managing both worlds.

The actor, a father to three children across different stages of life, acknowledges the constant challenge. He emphasizes a pragmatic approach, stating that in both parenting and acting, perfection is unattainable. The key, according to Quaid, is presence and effort. "You have to do what you can," he notes, highlighting the importance of showing up and being engaged with your children whenever possible, even amidst a hectic filming schedule.

Quaid, whose career spans decades, suggests that the skills required for each role—whether on screen or at home—can sometimes complement each other. He points to listening and empathy as crucial in both disciplines. His latest project continues his involvement in faith-based storytelling, a genre he has found personally rewarding. For Quaid, finding harmony isn't about a perfect split, but about giving authentic focus to each priority as it comes.