Current:Home > Contact-usRyan Dorsey Reveals What 7-Year-Old Son Josey Knows About His Late Mom Naya Rivera-LoTradeCoin
Ryan Dorsey Reveals What 7-Year-Old Son Josey Knows About His Late Mom Naya Rivera
View Date:2024-12-24 11:05:21
Ryan Dorsey is determined to keep Naya Rivera's memory alive for their son.
The 39-year-old actor, who shared son Josey, 7, with the late Glee star, recently got candid about the years following his ex-wife's tragic death from downing in July 2020 while on a boating trip with the then-four-year-old Josey. And it's an experience that the actor noted has sparked difficult conversations with Josey as he's gotten older.
"A lot of the kids find out what his Dad does for work. They'll also find out about his Mom, which is always something that's tough to navigate," Ryan—who guest stars on the March 26 episode of Magnum P.I.—said. "It's always a reminder of the obvious. Something that's never going to change is what happened and him having to deal with it daily. As he crosses these milestones as a kid growing up, kids talk about their Moms at school and dealing with his situation is very unique."
In the nearly three years since Naya's death, Josey has become increasingly inquisitive about learning more about his mom and what made her special.
"He's never going to forget his Mom," the Pitch actor shared. "He's interested in watching things and looking at her work one day. That stuff will speak for itself and he'll really get to appreciate the impact she had on people and how talented she was and who his Mom was on the outside, not just in his home life."
As for what Josey has watched already, he said, "I think the only stuff he's seen is what his other Grandma has shown him. I think he's seen some bits and pieces."
However, Ryan—who was married to Naya from 2014 to 2018—admitted that he's still unable to show anything to Josey himself.
"To be honest, it's still extremely hard for me," he said. "I can't watch video. Pictures are still hard to look at. We have pictures in the house here. It's like that thing you try to avoid. Every now and then I'll make eye contact with these pictures, whether it's the three of us or just her and him. It's just really hard to accept, even though we're coming on three years."
The Justified alum revealed that Josey doesn't shy away from talking about what happened the day his mom died.
"I just listen to what he has to say because a lot of the time I don't have any answers," Ryan said. "He'll make statements like, ‘I wish this didn't happen' or ‘Why did this have to happen?' and I just give him a good squeeze and rub his head and kiss him on the cheek and tell him I love him. I put my love onto him and that's all I can really do."
While navigating his new normal as a single dad, Ryan has also been forced to learn how to juggle his professional aspirations—including his role on Magnum P.I..
"I play a guy named Nixon and he's not very friendly," he teased. "He's not very nice. Big surprise."
In addition to his role as Earl on Justified, Ryan has less-than-savory characters on shows like Ray Donovan, Yellowstone and Big Sky.
"Playing the bad guys is kind of fun because not everybody wants to do that, but somebody has to," he said. "It's fun to be someone who's completely not who I am in real life. I'm a pretty silly, happy-go-lucky guy if you really know me. When I get to do these kinds of things, it's just being a kid. It's cops and robbers and I'm the robber."
Watch Ryan on the March 26 episode of Magnum P.I., 9 p.m. on NBC.
(E! and NBC are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)
Get the drama behind the scenes. Sign up for TV Scoop!veryGood! (621)
Related
- Here's Your First Look at The White Lotus Season 3 With Blackpink’s Lisa and More Stars
- Dispute over threat of extinction posed by AI looms over surging industry
- Tyra Banks Recreates Her Iconic Life-Size Character for Barbie Shout-Out
- Pete Davidson Gets Community Service Time for Reckless Driving Charge
- How many dog breeds are there? A guide to groups recognized in the US
- Constance Wu Gives Birth, Welcomes Baby No. 2
- Shop Bags & Accessories at Nordstrom Clear the Rack Sale: Deals on Coach, Kate Spade, Calvin Klein & More
- Victoria Beckham Performs a Spice Girls Song With David Beckham and Teases More to Come
- Colorado police shot, kill mountain lion after animal roamed on school's campus
- Zayn Malik's Steamy New Song “Love Like This” Will Make Your Heart Race
Ranking
- Man is 'not dead anymore' after long battle with IRS, which mistakenly labeled him deceased
- Millie Bobby Brown Shares Glimpse Inside Six Flags Trip With Fiancé Jake Bongiovi
- Austin Peay State Football Player Jeremiah Collins Dead at 18
- The 16 Best Beauty Launches From July 2023: Rare Beauty, Rhode, Kylie Cosmetics, Olaplex, Tower 28 & More
- 'He's driving the bus': Jim Harbaugh effect paying dividends for Justin Herbert, Chargers
- Hailey Bieber Will Influence You to Try TikTok's Viral Latte Makeup Trend
- Ethan Slater Makes Instagram Account Private Amid Ariana Grande Romance
- Madison Beer Claps Back at Body Shamer Saying She's Getting Fatter
Recommendation
-
'Serial swatter': 18-year-old pleads guilty to making nearly 400 bomb threats, mass shooting calls
-
Amy Schumer Honors Women Killed in Trainwreck Movie Theater Shooting on 8th Anniversary
-
Salma Hayek’s Secret to Maintaining Her Appearance Will Surprise You
-
Come on Barbie, Let’s Go Shopping: Your Guide to the Best Barbie Collabs: Barefoot Dreams, Crocs & More
-
AI could help scale humanitarian responses. But it could also have big downsides
-
Kylie Jenner, Cardi B and More Stars Who've Shared Plastic Surgery Confessions
-
Get a $198 J.Crew Dress for $32 and More Jaw-Dropping Deals Starting at $6
-
Not Sure How To Clean Your Dishwasher and Washing Machine? These Pods Will Last a Whole Year