CULTURE

Adam Driver Explains Why He Kept His Child a Secret for Two Years

Adam Driver and his wife, Joanne Tucker, became parents two years ago—and nearly managed to keep it a secret.


''Marriage Story'' UK Premiere - 63rd BFI London Film Festival
Photo by WIktor Szymanowicz/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Adam Driver has confirmed that he’s a father.

According to a new profile in the New Yorker, Driver and his wife, Joanne Tucker, became parents about two-and-a-half years ago. While rumors emerged last fall that the pair had had a son—the news hit Page Six—Driver hadn’t publicly confirmed the fact until now. A veteran of the Marines, the actor called the attempt to keep the baby secret “a military operation.”

“My job is to be a spy—to be in public and live life and have experience,” Driver told the writer Michael Shulman. “But, when you feel like you’re the focus, it’s really hard to do that.”

The profile is filled with fascinating anecdotes about the actor. One example: As a teen growing up in a blue-collar, religious family in Indiana, Driver passed the time with his friends by setting things on fire. There’s also an account of his highly disciplined physical routine, mostly born of his time as a soldier (he was honorably discharged before deploying to Iraq after a mountain-biking accident). While studying at Julliard, Driver would run five miles to school each day, do hundreds of push-ups in the hallways, and eat six eggs (minus four yolks) for breakfast and an entire roast chicken for lunch.

Driver enlisted in the Marines following a brief failed attempt at becoming an actor in Los Angeles after high school. The challenge appealed to him. “They kind of got me with their whole ‘We don’t give you signing bonuses. We’re the hardest branch of the armed forces. You’re not going to get all this cushy shit that the Navy or the Army gives you. It’s going to be hard,’ ” he said. Apparently he made the decision to join up so quickly that the recruiter asked if he was “running from the law.”

Shulman writes that after facing a life-threatening accident in basic training, Driver decided that there were two things he wanted to do in life: smoke cigarettes and be an actor. He’s since quit smoking, but acting is going rather well. When Shulman asked Spike Lee, who directed Driver in an Oscar-nominated performance in BlacKkKlansman, why directors were “drawn” to the actor, Lee said, “There’s a very simple answer: game respects game.”

Related: Adam Driver Was Totally Fine With That Shirtless Scene in The Last Jedi

Adam Driver Is Anything But Adventurous on the Red Carpet

The GQ Men of the Year Party in 2012. Photo by Getty Images.

The 64th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2012. Photo by Getty Images.

HBO premiere of “Girls” Season 2 in 2013. Photo by Getty Images.

Whitney Art Party in 2013. Photo by Getty Images.

The 71st Venice Film Festival in 2014. Photo by Getty Images.

The 65th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in 2013. Photo by Getty Images.

The 2013 Red Bull Theater Gala Benefit. Photo by Getty Images.

The 2013 Toronto International Film Festival. Photo by Getty Images.

The Headstrong Project “Words Of War” Benefit in 2014. Photo by Getty Images.

“This Is Where I Leave You” premiere at TCL Chinese Theatre in 2014. Photo by Getty Images.

Driver attends HBO’s Official 2015 Emmy After Party at The Plaza at the Pacific Design Center on September 20, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by FilmMagic/Getty Images.

FilmMagic

Driver and his wifeJoanne Tucker attend the European Premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” in Leicester Square on December 16, 2015 in London, England.

Photo by Getty Images/WireImage

David M. Benett

Adam Driver and Joanne Tucker at the annual 69th Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 16, 2016 in Cannes, France.

Photo by FilmMagic/Getty Images

Danny Martindale

Driver attends the ‘Paterson’ premiere during the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival at Ryerson Theatre on September 12, 2016 in Toronto, Canada.

Photo by Getty Images/FilmMagic)

C Flanigan

Driver at the 26th Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards at Cipriani Wall Street on November 28, 2016 in New York City.

Photo by Getty Images

Michael Loccisano

Director Jim Jarmusch and actor Adam Driver at a “Paterson” screening on December 15, 2016 in New York City.

Photo by FilmMagic/Getty Images

Brent N. Clarke

Adam Driver attends The National Board of Review Gala on January 4, 2017 in New York City. Photo by Jimi Celeste/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

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