You probably remember Nicholas Hoult as the awkward, wide-eyed kid in About a Boy. Or maybe you know him as the blue-furred Beast or the guy currently stepping into Lex Luthor’s shoes for the new Superman. But there’s a whole other side to him that isn't on a movie set. Honestly, it’s the role he seems most obsessed with lately.
He’s a dad. Twice over.
If you haven't seen many photos of Nicholas Hoult children, that’s exactly how he wants it. In an era where some celebs post their toddlers' breakfast on Instagram every morning, Hoult and his partner, model Bryana Holly, have basically mastered the art of the "stealth family." They’ve been together since 2017, and for a long time, fans didn't even know they were parents at all.
The Secret World of Joaquin Hoult
The couple's first child is a son named Joaquin, born in April 2018. For years, Hoult wouldn't even confirm if the baby was a boy or a girl. He famously told W Magazine that while someone would eventually find out, for now, the baby was his "precious little thing" and he was keeping it to himself.
Fast forward to 2024, and we finally got a real glimpse.
Nicholas and Joaquin made their first official public appearance together sitting courtside at an Atlanta Hawks game. It was a big deal for fans. Joaquin was five at the time, rocking a Hawks jersey and clutching a Trae Young plushie. He looked—as you’d expect—exactly like a mini-version of his dad.
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Hoult has joked that Joaquin is actually his toughest critic. When he was filming The Menu, he’d practice his cooking at home, only for his son to tell him straight up, "This isn't very good, Dad." No filter. You've gotta love the honesty of a preschooler who doesn't care that his dad is a Hollywood A-lister.
That Time Joaquin Shaved His Dad’s Head
One of the coolest "dad moments" Hoult has shared recently involved his transformation into Lex Luthor. Usually, a high-budget superhero movie involves a team of elite stylists.
Not this time.
Hoult actually let Joaquin take the clippers to his head. He mentioned on The Jess Cagle Show that letting his older son do the buzzing was a fun way to bond over the new role. It’s a pretty bold move to let a young kid handle your hair when you're about to star in a multi-million dollar blockbuster, but it says a lot about their relationship.
The Mystery of Child Number Two
In late 2022, the family grew again.
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While Joaquin has slowly stepped into the light, the second of the Nicholas Hoult children remains a total enigma. We know the baby arrived around the end of 2022 because Hoult mentioned "my boys" in a later interview, hinting that the second child is also a son.
But as of early 2026?
- Name: Unknown.
- Birth Date: Late 2022.
- Public Photos: Zero.
They are incredibly disciplined about this. Bryana Holly might post a photo of a finger or the back of a head on her Instagram, but that’s the limit. It’s refreshing, really. In a world where privacy feels like a prehistoric concept, they’ve managed to give their kids a normal, quiet life in the middle of all the chaos.
Why the Privacy Actually Matters
Hoult’s desire to keep his kids out of the tabloids likely stems from his own childhood. He started acting professionally when he was just a kid, landing About a Boy at age 12. He’s been vocal about the "fear" people instilled in him back then—the idea that child stars always go off the rails or stop working as adults.
He credits his own parents for keeping him grounded by sending him to a normal school. It makes sense that he’d want to provide that same "regular" environment for his own kids.
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He once told the Evening Standard that fatherhood makes you value time differently. He talks faster in interviews now because he just wants to get home. He’s not chasing the after-party; he’s chasing the bedtime story.
Living Between the Lines
What most people get wrong is thinking that "private" means "reclusive." The Hoults aren't hiding in a bunker. They go to basketball games, they go on road trips in Nicholas's Ferrari, and they live their lives. They just don't feel the need to sell those moments to the highest bidder.
Whether it's Joaquin giving "honest" feedback on dinner or a toddler we haven't even met yet, the Hoult household seems more focused on the "human" stuff than the "celebrity" stuff.
What to Keep in Mind Moving Forward
If you're following Nicholas Hoult’s journey as a parent, here are a few things to remember about how he handles his family life:
- Respect the boundary: Don't expect a "Vogue Kids" cover anytime soon. Hoult has been consistent for nearly a decade about protecting his children's identities.
- Listen for the "Dad" anecdotes: While he won't share photos, he's becoming more open to sharing funny stories in interviews. These give a better sense of his personality than a staged paparazzi shot ever could.
- Watch the "wife" comments: Hoult has recently started referring to Bryana as his "wife" in interviews, suggesting they may have quietly married, further solidifying that tight-knit family unit.
The best way to support actors who prioritize their kids' privacy is to focus on their work. As Hoult prepares for the massive release of Superman later this year, it’s clear his most important audience isn’t in a movie theater—it’s the two little guys waiting for him to get home.