Simon Baker is often recognized for his laid-back charm and piercing blue eyes, familiar to fans of The Mentalist as the intuitive and enigmatic Patrick Jane. But behind the polished on-screen persona lies a man who values simplicity, privacy, and most importantly—family.

In a rare, candid interview, the Australian actor opened up about what life looks like beyond the spotlight, and how fatherhood, partnership, and staying grounded have shaped his identity more than any role he’s ever played.

For someone whose career has spanned three decades, Baker has managed to maintain a surprisingly low profile. Unlike many of his Hollywood peers, he’s not a tabloid regular or a social media fixture.

That’s intentional. “I’ve never been drawn to the fame part of acting,” he admits. “The work is what excites me—the stories, the characters—but everything else around it? That’s never been my scene.”

At the heart of that desire for privacy is his family. Baker shares three children with ex-wife Rebecca Rigg, also an actor, and though the couple quietly separated in 2020 after 29 years of marriage, he speaks with deep respect and affection for the life they built together.

“Rebecca and I raised our kids away from a lot of the noise,” he says. “We wanted them to have a childhood that wasn’t dictated by where the cameras were.”

Baker and Rigg raised their children—Stella, Claude, and Harry—between Los Angeles and their native Australia, often choosing to live in more rural settings where the family could grow up close to nature.

“I think there’s something very grounding about being outdoors,” Baker reflects. “You’re reminded of how small you are in the best way. My kids grew up with sand between their toes and dirt under their fingernails, and that’s exactly how we wanted it.”

His voice softens when talking about his children, all now young adults forging their own paths. His daughter Stella has even followed in his footsteps, landing roles in television and carving out her own acting career.

“I didn’t push her toward it. In fact, I probably discouraged it a little at first,” he says with a smile. “Not because I didn’t believe in her, but because I know how tough this industry can be. But she’s got her own fire, her own vision—and that makes me really proud.”

Fatherhood, he says, has been the most transformative experience of his life. “It changed everything—the way I see the world, the way I make decisions. You stop being the center of your own universe. That’s humbling. And it’s necessary.”

Even at the height of his fame during The Mentalist‘s seven-season run, Baker prioritized being present at home. “I’d finish long days on set and go straight into dad mode—school lunches, homework help, soccer games.

It wasn’t always easy, but those were the moments that mattered most.” He laughs recalling nights of pacing the floor with a crying baby in his arms, or mornings where he burned toast while trying to get everyone out the door on time. “It’s not glamorous, but it’s real. And real is what I’ve always cared about.”

Despite his preference for staying out of the limelight, Baker isn’t afraid to talk about the challenges he’s faced in balancing work and family. There were sacrifices—missed birthdays, long stretches on location—and moments of doubt.

“You question yourself. Am I doing enough? Am I doing it right? But then your kid hugs you or laughs at your terrible dad joke, and you realize, okay, maybe I’m not failing entirely.”

He also credits his upbringing in Australia for instilling the values that have carried him through fatherhood. Raised in a working-class family, Baker learned early on the importance of resilience, humility, and loyalty. “My mum was a single parent for a while, and she worked hard—really hard—to give us a good life. Watching her showed me what strength looks like.”

Though his own marriage eventually came to an end, Baker speaks about the transition with thoughtfulness rather than regret. “Relationships evolve. Sometimes they change shape, and that’s okay.

What matters is that there’s still love, still respect—especially when kids are involved. Rebecca and I will always be connected by the family we created. That’s not something time or circumstance can erase.”

He’s also found healing and growth in solitude and nature since the separation. Spending more time in Australia, surfing, hiking, and working on smaller film projects has allowed him to reconnect with himself.

“There’s a clarity that comes when you step away from the noise. It’s helped me appreciate the small things again—making breakfast, reading a book, watching the tide come in. Those moments are where life really happens.”

While Baker remains selective about his acting projects, he’s recently ventured into directing and producing as well—opting for stories that reflect his personal values and interests. “I’m drawn to stories that are honest, a little raw. Not perfect. Just like life.”

Looking ahead, he says he’s excited to see where the next chapter leads—not just professionally, but personally. “My kids are grown now. They don’t need me in the same way, but they still call, they still come home. That means the world. My role has changed, but the love hasn’t.”

He pauses, smiling quietly, before adding, “If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that family isn’t just about biology or marriage. It’s about showing up, again and again, in the ways that matter.”

Whether it’s through his performances on screen or his reflections off it, Simon Baker continues to bring a quiet authenticity to everything he does. He’s not chasing headlines or applause.

He’s just living—a little more quietly now, perhaps, but no less meaningfully. And in doing so, he reminds us that even in the most public of lives, the most important stories are often the ones happening at home.