Chris O’Donnell’s 5 Kids Are Taking Over Hollywood—Meet Lily, Chip, Charlie, Finley, and Maeve!

Chris O’Donnell has always emphasized that his family comes first. A devoted father of five—Lily, Christopher, Charlie, Finley, and Maeve—Chris has masterfully balanced his Hollywood career with his role as a dedicated dad, ensuring that his family remains his top priority.

Having grown up in a large family with six siblings, Chris always envisioned having a big family of his own. That dream started to come true in 1997 when he married his college sweetheart, Caroline Fentress.

Two years later, they welcomed their first child, Lily Anne O’Donnell, and Chris couldn’t have been more thrilled. “It’s the most amazing feeling in the world to hold your child in your arms,” he shared in an interview with Rolling Stone. “I’d do anything for her.”

Their family continued to grow with the arrival of their first son, Christopher Eugene O’Donnell Jr., known as Chip, in 2000, followed by sons Charlie and Finley in 2003 and 2006, respectively. In 2007, they welcomed their youngest daughter, Maeve Frances O’Donnell, completing their happy family.

“For sure, my top priority is family,” Chris has often stated, a sentiment he has consistently backed up with actions. After the birth of his children, Chris stepped back from the Hollywood spotlight to focus on his growing family. He eventually returned to acting when he was offered a role in NCIS: Los Angeles, which allowed him to stay close to home while doing what he loves.

Chris’s journey as a father has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of his life. “Until you have children, you just have no idea what it means to love somebody,” he reflected during a 2013 appearance on Who Do You Think You Are? His deep love for his children is evident in the way he speaks about them and the pride he takes in their accomplishments.

Lily Anne O’Donnell, 24
Lily Anne, born on September 3, 1999, while Chris was filming Vertical Limit in New Zealand, was the couple’s first child. Despite the distance, Chris made sure to be present for her birth, though the experience didn’t go quite as planned. During a 2018 appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Chris humorously recalled fainting in the delivery room, calling it “not a great decision.”

Lily showed an early interest in the arts and, at just 10 years old, made a brief appearance in an episode of NCIS: Los Angeles alongside her father and younger brother, Charlie. However, her Hollywood aspirations were short-lived, and she later pursued a degree in film and cinema studies at Boston College. Today, according to her LinkedIn profile, Lily works in TV distribution at Lionsgate in New York City.

Christopher “Chip” Eugene O’Donnell Jr., 23
Born on October 24, 2000, Chip is the couple’s first son and is affectionately nicknamed after Chris himself. From a young age, Chip was known for his pride in his father’s achievements, once proclaiming on an airplane, “My dad was Robin in the Batman movie,” much to the amusement of fellow passengers.

Chip’s true passion has always been sports. “He was obsessed with sports,” Chris shared with People. Whether it was soccer, baseball, football, lacrosse, or golf, Chip was always active. Now in college, Chip continues to share a love of golf with his dad. Interestingly, he’s the only O’Donnell child who hasn’t appeared on NCIS: Los Angeles. A cameo was planned, but it was canceled due to a COVID-19 outbreak on set.

Charles McHugh O’Donnell, 20
Charlie, born on July 11, 2003, is the third O’Donnell child and has followed in his father’s footsteps in the acting world. He made his debut on NCIS: Los Angeles alongside his sister Lily, playing a younger version of his dad’s character.

Charlie’s talents extend beyond acting. Chris has proudly shared that his son is also a skilled golfer, guitarist, and stage performer. “My son Charlie is doing the stage version of Legally Blonde,” Chris revealed during a 2016 interview on New York Live. Charlie’s diverse interests and talents are a great source of pride for his father.

Finley O’Donnell, 18
Born on March 24, 2006, Finley is the fourth O’Donnell child. Chris has often described him as “the easiest baby ever,” reflecting the relaxed atmosphere in the O’Donnell household by the time Finley arrived.

Like his older siblings, Finley had a cameo on NCIS: Los Angeles, playing a younger version of his father’s character at just five years old. The father-son duo has also been spotted enjoying quality time together at basketball games in Los Angeles.

Maeve Frances O’Donnell, 16
The youngest of the O’Donnell clan, Maeve, was born on December 10, 2007. Chris has always spoken fondly of his youngest daughter, describing her as “just the happiest little baby” in interviews.

Maeve made her acting debut in a 2015 episode of NCIS: Los Angeles, an experience Chris proudly shared on Instagram, writing, “Somebody is making their debut performance Monday night.” While it’s unclear if Maeve will continue pursuing acting, she recently accompanied her father to the 2022 Emmy Awards, showcasing their close bond.

In 2022, Chris, inspired by Maeve’s love for TikTok dance routines, co-created Come Dance with Me, a family-oriented reality dance competition.