Elijah Wood, best known for his role as Frodo Baggins in the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, is sharing insights into his life beyond Hollywood as a dedicated father. The actor, alongside his wife Mette-Marie Kongsved, is raising two children, a 6-year-old son and a 4-year-old daughter, marking a new chapter in his personal life. This Elijah Wood fatherhood journey has provided him with profound joy as his children grow out of early childhood and into new stages of development.
Introducing His Children to Films and Family Life
Wood revealed in a recent interview with The Times published on March 6 that his children have moved beyond the “toddler” years into what he humorously calls “kid-dom.” As their interests evolve, he is beginning to carefully introduce them to the entertainment world that shaped his own career.
While his kids have enjoyed watching classics like The Wizard of Oz, they have yet to see the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy that made Wood a household name. “They have not,” he acknowledged,
“but only because I genuinely don’t think they’re old enough. I feel like it might be appropriate when they are 8.”
Reflecting on His Work and Its Impact on His Children
Wood also reflected on some of his other films that might not be suitable for young viewers. He described the 1995 movie Jumanji, starring the late Robin Williams, as surprisingly intense for children today.
“It’s way scarier and more f***ed up than I remember,”
he admitted candidly.
After the fame that came from his role in “Lord of the Rings,” Wood has since pursued various projects, including several in the horror genre. This means that many of his movies remain off-limits to his kids for now.
Latest Film and Views on the Horror Genre
Wood’s upcoming movie, Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, features him as a lawyer representing a sinister group determined to kill the lead character, Grace, played by Samara Weaving. He described the film’s blend of action and dark humor, explaining,
“I think of it as an action movie with comedic elements. Yes, it does have trappings of a horror. There are literally exploding bodies.”
He further elaborated on horror’s enduring appeal:
“But the reason that horror never goes away is that, as a society, we always have something to be afraid of in real life, but horror is a safe way to experience fear because nothing’s actually going to happen. It’s cathartic.”
Fatherhood During the Pandemic: A Personal Reflection
Away from his on-screen roles, Wood has expressed deep appreciation for fatherhood, especially during the challenges of recent years. In a 2021 interview with The Guardian, he described the silver lining of the pandemic lockdown as the chance to spend unparalleled time with his family.
“The silver lining of the pandemic has been that it’s enabled me to enjoy fatherhood in a way I might not have done,”
Wood said.
“My son was born seven or eight months before lockdown, so we’ve had this kind of unbelievable, uninterrupted family time that we’re probably never going to have again.”
He summarized his feelings about parenting with heartfelt simplicity:
“I love being a father. It’s all-consuming and it’s everything.”
Balancing Stardom and Parenthood
Despite his status as a prominent actor, Elijah Wood prioritizes his role as a dad above all else. His wife Mette-Marie Kongsved and their children remain central to his life, offering grounding and perspective amid his career pursuits and public recognition. Through his fatherhood journey, Wood demonstrates a careful balance between sharing elements of his work with his kids and protecting them from content that might be too mature.
