Jason Sudeikis Says Fatherhood Made It Possible For Him to Bring Ted Lasso to the Screen

For exes Olivia Wilde and Jason Sudeikis, their kids are most important. The former couple announced their split in November 2020 after nine years together and seven years engaged. Wilde and Sudeikis's children have remained their focus over the course of their relationship and split, with a source telling Us Weekly in July 2021 that the couple are "doing their best at giving their kids a normal life. The kids bring them back together since they are and always will be their number one priority."

In a March 7 interview with Entertainment Tonight at the season three premiere of "Ted Lasso," Sudeikis opened up about how he and Wilde are prioritizing the kids. When asked if his kids know how hard he works, he admitted that they might not "know how hard," but "they know how often." But that has given Sudeikis the opportunity to show them what a healthy work environment looks like. "They see how much [the cast] hang out, and laugh, and enjoy each other's company," he continued. "That any of us get the opportunity to find a job where you have so much fun doing it, and if that's the example that myself and Olivia, provide for them, then I'm happy about that."

Sudeikis went on to explain that being a parent helps him understand his character Ted Lasso better. "I don't think I ever could have portrayed a parent, me personally, effectively in a way that I would have believed until becoming one," he said. "I don't think I'm a good enough actor to do that kind of make-believe without having that kind of love that enters your life when you have kids."

Wilde and Sudeikis's co-parenting hasn't been all smooth sailing, however. In April 2022, the pair's breakup made headlines again when Wilde was served custody papers during her presentation at CinemaCon. Wilde later addressed the event in an August 2022 interview with Variety. "The only people who suffered were my kids, because they'll have to see that, and they shouldn't ever have to know that happened," she said. "For me, it was appalling, but the victims were an 8 and 5 year-old, and that's really sad. I chose to become an actress. I willingly walked into the spotlight. But it's not something my children have asked for. And when my kids are dragged into it, it's deeply painful." During the interview, Wilde also referred to her kids as her "best friends," saying she makes breakfast for them every morning. "They are my world," she said.

Read through to learn more about Wilde and Sudeikis's two children, Otis and Daisy.