Josh Hartnett has revealed that his children were deeply unsettled by his striking appearance change for the new action-comedy, Fight or Flight. Appearing on the Today show, Hartnett, aged 46, explained that when his four kids first saw his bleached blonde hair—a dramatic departure from his usual brown—they burst into tears, reacting emotionally to their father’s new look. This transformation was required for his role as Lucas, a former secret service agent living undercover.
Hartnett explained that while his wife, actress Tamsin Egerton, responded positively to the change, calling it “sexy,” their children reacted with strong discomfort and sadness. The actor shared,
He also reflected that this was not the first time his children had reacted with tears to his on-screen appearance shifts.
Hartnett remarked, noting the unique challenges his career poses for his family.
Providing further context, Josh Hartnett drew parallels to his own childhood, expressing understanding for his children’s reaction. He recalled how his own father’s beard had been a consistent presence, saying,
This recognition of their emotional response highlights the sensitive connection between young children and the familiar appearances of their parents, especially when those are upended without warning.
The character Lucas, whom Hartnett portrays in Fight or Flight, underwent his own transformation, with the blonde hair serving a practical function in the story. Hartnett elaborated,
The physical transformation was essential for Lucas’s portrayal, but it had unintended effects at home, particularly for Hartnett’s children, who are accustomed to a more predictable version of their father.
Josh Hartnett and Tamsin Egerton, who married in 2021, have worked to keep their family life private, raising their four children—born in 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2024—away from the public eye. Despite their best efforts to maintain stability, Hartnett’s profession often introduces unexpected variables. The family currently resides in England, Egerton’s home country, adding another layer of cross-cultural adaptation for both Hartnett and his children.
On The Tonight Show, Hartnett described how his American background sets him apart within his own household. He shared anecdotes about his kids teasing him over his accent and American habits, joking that,
He recounted his middle child’s impersonations and his youngest daughter’s efforts to “teach him” British vocabulary, reinforcing the family’s ongoing negotiation of identity and belonging.
The intensely personal response of Josh Hartnett’s kids to his hair for Fight or Flight signals the profound impact that an actor’s working life can have on family dynamics, especially among young children. As the film continues its run in cinemas, the family’s experience stands as a reminder of the sometimes-unseen consequences of creative work, as well as the ways families adapt to changes both on and off the screen. What comes next for Hartnett’s children, as they continue growing up with a parent in the spotlight, remains to be seen, but the story of their reaction offers insight into the challenges and emotions blended families in the public eye may face.
