Michelle Williams is embracing life as a mom of four — and she’s doing it with grace, gratitude, and a healthy dose of humor.
The Dawson’s Creek and Fosse/Verdon star made a rare public appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live (guest-hosted by Tiffany Haddish) on August 18, where she opened up about her growing family and life at home with three young children under five.
A Special Thanks to Her Surrogate
Williams, 44, revealed that she and her husband, director Thomas Kail, recently welcomed a baby girl via surrogate. Giving a heartfelt nod to the woman who helped expand their family, she said, “This last baby did not come out of my body. The miracle of our little girl is thanks to Christine. Thank you, Christine!”
The baby girl is the couple’s third child together, following their son Hart, 4, and another child born in 2022, whose name and gender they’ve chosen to keep private. Williams is also mom to 19-year-old daughter Matilda, whom she shared with the late actor Heath Ledger.
Balancing Work, Mom Guilt, and Self-Care
Williams didn’t shy away from discussing the challenges of managing a house filled with little ones while continuing her career. “Thanks to Christine, I have three under 5 at home,” she joked. “Everything’s good and under control. I’m the adult.”
She admitted that juggling work and motherhood isn’t always easy, especially when mom guilt kicks in. “I hear a lot of people talking about self-care, and I’m just wondering, ‘When?!’” she said with a laugh. “I don’t want to take more time away from them, but I understand I need to fill up the tank.”
Her Creative Take on Alone Time
The actress then shared her unconventional but genius strategy for carving out a moment of peace: errands at the social security office.
“You say, ‘I’m sorry, honey, but one day you’re going to grow up and get a job and pay taxes, and you’re going to need a social security number for that,’” she explained. Her favorite time? Midday appointments — not for efficiency, but for the long, peaceful wait.
“They will let you wait in complete silence for at least one hour. Bring a nail file and a to-do list — check, check, check,” Williams said, turning the usually dreaded task into a haven for moms seeking a break.
And if you’re looking for a tip to stretch that quiet time just a bit longer, she joked, “Don’t double-check your paperwork — you might have to go back.” With three kids, that could mean six trips if she gets it wrong on purpose.
Her Pro Tip: Get That REAL ID
Williams also gave fellow parents a humorous heads-up: “Don’t sleep on that REAL ID! It’s an opportunity. Get your REAL ID. Take care of yourself.”
A Full House and a Full Heart
Michelle Williams’ honesty and wit about the realities of parenthood clearly struck a chord with the audience. While she continues to shine in her acting career, it’s clear her favorite role these days is mom. And with a full house, a strong support system, and a touch of comic relief, she’s handling it all like a pro.