Actors Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard have shared a surprising family revelation, explaining how their two daughters discovered a difficult chapter of their parents' relationship by watching one of their own films.
An Unusual Family Movie Night
During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Tuesday, the couple disclosed that their children, Lincoln, 12, and Delta, 10, learned about their brief 2007 separation while watching the 2012 movie Hit and Run. The film was written by Shepard and is based on his real-life relationship with Bell, even covering their temporary split soon after they began dating.
"They were very upset," Shepard admitted regarding his daughters' reaction. The 50-year-old actor added, with a touch of humour, "And what made me happy is they were mad at mom, not me." He then joked that the children thought their mother was being unreasonable about his past, which he has previously identified as his addiction issues.
The Backstory of a Hollywood Romance
Bell, 45, and Shepard first met in 2007 and began dating shortly after. However, their relationship hit an early snag when, after three months, Shepard decided to break things off. Bell recalled in a 2017 interview that he told her, "I can't have this right now. I think you're wonderful, but I am still dating other people." Despite the initial heartbreak, Bell respected his honesty.
The couple eventually reconciled, marrying in 2013. They are known for being fiercely protective of their children's privacy, choosing not to show their faces on social media or bring them to public events.
Finding Humour in Family Dynamics
Despite the initial upset, Shepard told Kimmel that their daughters ultimately "loved" the story, even if the viewing experience was somewhat inappropriate for their age. He described the incident as "a great litmus test for our children," praising their strong sense of humour.
The couple revisited their 2012 film because it has recently become available on Hulu. Bell mentioned they hadn't watched it in "forever," while Shepard felt it had "aged like a Bordeaux [wine]."
This revelation follows recent comments from Bell about what makes their marriage work. She emphasised that a happy partnership requires consistent "compromise" and praised Shepard for his "commitment to growth at all times." This perspective has been tested, including during Shepard's brief relapse in 2020, for which he publicly expressed remorse.
