Michael Rapaport built a reputation for being one of the most "unfiltered" comedians in Hollywood. And yet, the actor has been quite protective of his personal life, including his sons, Julian and Maceo Rapaport. The 20 and 20-something-year-olds were born in Michael's first marriage.
Julian Rapaport and Maceo Rapaport were born to entertainers. Their mother, Nichole Beattie, is a writer and producer with credits in high-profile productions, including the dystopian horror series "The Walking Dead," the crime show "Prime Suspect" and most recently, the sci-fi series "For All Mankind," which debuted in 2019.
Julian and Maceo's mother was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on November 19, 1976. She was married to their dad between 2000 and 2007. Their father, Michael Rapaport, is a New York native who pursued stand-up comedy immediately after graduating high school.
Michael Rapaport and Nichole Beattie are pictured as they arrive at the premiere of his new film "Lucky Numbers" on October 24, 2000, in Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images
He worked his way up and eventually transitioned to on-screen comedy, making brief appearances in several films. Michael is best known for his roles in "The 6th Day" alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger, "The Heat" with Melissa McCarthy and Sandra Bullock, and "Hitch" with Will Smith and Eva Mendes.
Having accumulated well over 100 credits in acting, directing, and producing, Michael's career has been nothing short of rewarding. Several years after divorcing Nichole, he married actress Kebe Dunn in 2016. Still, very little is known about his family life, especially his sons.
Michael Rapaport (C) and his sons, Julian (L) and Maceo, are pictured as they arrive for the 4th annual IndieProducer Awards Gala at the Writers Guild of America Theatre on May 12, 2006, in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images
Michael Rarely Shares Photos of His Kids but Shares His Thoughts on Parenting
Julian is Michael's eldest son, born in 2000, with Maceo following in 2002. The boys have rarely graced the spotlight alongside their dad or appeared on his social media timelines. However, on one occasion in 2016, Michael took to Instagram and wrote, "This kid named Maceo Rapaport is 14 today!!!!!!"
The "Atypical" star penned the gleeful caption alongside a black-and-white photo of young Maceo on Instagram. It appears to be the only post he has ever shared of his kids. While promoting the second season of his Netflix show, "Atypical," two years later, he opened up about parenting.
He didn't specify which of his boys, but he revealed one had colic as an infant, a condition the father of two described as constant and inconsolable crying. It was through that experience with Nichole, among many others, that he learned:
"Parenting is like a never-ending, unsolvable 17,000-piece jigsaw puzzle that keeps getting kicked over by a toddler, a dog, and then another toddler. It's just not a solvable thing."
Michael Rapaport and sons, Maceo and Julian, are pictured during Tony Hawk's Project 8 Stand Up for Skateparks at Green Acres Estate on an unspecified date in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images
That year, Michael also revealed that then-18-year-old Julian had recently enrolled in college in New York City. He admitted that he wasn't as "jittery" as he expected when he dropped him off; as opposed to studying abroad, Julian would be in a somewhat familiar place, and that eased his father's nerves.
Michael Rapaport Has a Running Joke with Dean Collins about Their Father-Son Relationship
Michael may keep his relationship with his sons private, but his bond with Logan Lerman's best friend, actor Dean Collins, has been hilarious to witness. In 2017, Dean wished Michael a happy birthday, writing, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the guy who may or may not be the father because he refuses to get a DNA test!"
Dean and Michael bear a striking resemblance to each other, as seen in their videos, which is a critical element that makes their long-running joke all more comical. It is worth noting, however, that the two actors are only related through friendship and perhaps work.
Michael Rapaport Lashed Out at Parents to Take Charge of Their Kids during the Pandemic
As global lockdowns took hold, Michael was among several celebrities doing PSAs, urging the public to stay indoors as relevant parties attempted to control the spread of Covid-19. However, unlike the others, he put diplomacy aside and delivered a more hard-hitting message.
Michael commanded parents worldwide to exercise authority and keep their children from going out unnecessarily. The "True Romance" star didn't spare any cuss words as he called out youngsters who disregarded social distancing and quarantine guidelines.
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