Here’s an example of a celebrity flying so under the radar while pregnant that the press didn’t even know she was pregnant. Granted this is Laura Linney. As much as we love her we don’t gossip about her and she’s rarely photographed by paparazzi. So it was a pleasant surprise to hear that Linney, 49, welcomed her first child, a baby boy, on Wednesday. She made the announcement in the afternoon on Friday, when it was the least likely to get press. The story is already off People’s homepage, so I’m thinking she doesn’t want much publicity for it and just issued a press release out of necessity. Laura and her husband of almost four years, Marc Schauer, named the boy Bennett Armistead Schauer.
Laura Linney sure knows how to keep a secret!
The actress, 49, recently became a mom after giving birth to a baby boy on Wednesday, Jan. 8, her rep confirms to PEOPLE exclusively.
Son Bennett Armistead Schauer is the first child for Linney and her husband Marc Schauer.
“Mother and baby are happy and healthy,” the rep tells PEOPLE.
The couple became engaged in 2007 and were married in May 2009.
“They are very happy,” her rep said at the time of the engagement.
I really like the name Bennett, it’s unique without sounding strange. Baby Name Wizard says it’s a variant of “Benedict,” which makes sense, and that it started out as a last name which got turned into a first name.
I loved Linney in The Big C on Showtime, she was so good at playing that character it was hard to watch at times, and often bittersweet. I also had the honor of seeing her on stage in NY, in The Crucible with Liam Neeson, in the early ‘aughts. It’s surprising how little we know of her personal life, which is probably just how she wants it. Congratulations to Linney and Schauer!
This is the most recent photo that we have of Linney, from June, 2013. She would have been about two months pregnant at the time.
There are hardly any photos of Laura and her husband, Marc. This is from 2011 and the photo below is from 2007.
Photo credit: WENN.com, FameFlynet and PacificCoastNews
He’s a handsome guy and they look good together. Congratulations to both on their new arrival!
🙂
+1
She kept it real classy. Congrats to both of them.
Our sons name is Bennett, we get alot of compliments on it.
Bennet Darcy!
My friend’s son is named Bennett, and I’ve always thought it was a great name too.
Our son is named Bennett also! I’ve loved the name since I was a little girl. Let’s hope it doesn’t get too popular!
I don’t usually like first names that used to be surnames and I’m not big on Bennett but I make an exception for Armistead, because I love Maupin so much. And I loved Linney best in the death penalty thing with Kevin Spacey. I love her generally, too.
PS: I mean not big on Bennett in a personal way. No offence to Ginger and/or others who like the name!
Yes I loved that movie too! “The Life of David Gale”…thought I was the only person who has seen that movie. I always get a blank stare when I ask someone if they have heard of it.
I have seen it too, it was good. She’s good in everything I have ever seen her in.
I saw it too and loved it. Compelling movie that really didn’t get a lot of recognition.
I love that movie! I just brought it up today because my husband and I were talking about the new lethal injection mix they used in Ohio, which led to other death penalty thoughts… Anyway.
Congrats to the new parents! I just recently watched The Big C (yes, I binge watched it in a matter of weeks). It is a really well done show and I am a little sad that I don’t have more episodes to watch but they wrapped it up beautifully.
I did the same – watched it for hours at a time – great acting.
It really was great acting all around! So many great moments but one moment at the end of the first season really made me fall apart. The scene where Adam finds the storage locker. Ugh, I just fell apart!
49? Good for her!
I thought I was crazy at 41 – can’t imagine at 49 – good for her, absolutely!!!!!
Mazel tov! I enjoy her work, including her “Masterpiece” introductions on PBS.
Really? Her voice on those intros just gives me the giggles.
Will always love her for Love Actually. Congratulations! Cute husband and love the name. It’s handsome and dignified.
Me too!!!
Congrats to them. I cannot imagine having a baby at 49!
I know…my issue is not an ethical one but a lower back one! Every time I bend forward and straighten back up my back hurts! And I’m only 40. I can’t imagine holding a baby carrier, bending over to give baths.
Mine are older now so I’m out of that phase.
That being said…congrats on baby Bennet!
And the thought of dealing with a teenager when you are 60+. no thanks!
Aside from being a relatively private person, maybe that’s why she kept it quiet, to be spared from “older mom” comments and questions. Yes there are real concerns, but people never seem to hesitate when it comes to commentary about what women choose to do with their bodies.
She was so great in Love Actually. Rare to see in movies where characters are just stuck. Good role.
@Trashaddict. Hear, hear! Her uterus, her choice. She waited until she was married to the correct person, and maybe this is the result of years of trying. They can clearly afford to have a child and probably not have economic concerns. Yet people think they should somehow not be allowed to have a child?
I’m thinking it was a surrogate pregnancy. 49 is a little old to still be that fertile. Good for them.
@Pandy. The statement reads “recently became a mom after giving birth to a baby boy”. She was so private about this, I doubt they’d lie about who carried. It could have been that Linney carried using 1) her own egg – with lots of medical assistance it is possible or 2) donor egg.
Completely forgot about her being in “Love Actually”, she was SO good.
That’s what I thought too! I’m 42 and I can’t imagine having a baby at 49!
C
I was really surprised when I read this last night—I was actually really surprised that she was 49…..I thought she was in her thirties, looks-wise.
I’m glad she had her baby when she wanted to. It really annoys me when people, celebs talk about for years and years (especially when they’re older–not like in your twenties) about how they want this, they want that, they wish their careers were like this person’s–just go do it, quit talking about it.
People who only talk, don’t get anything done.
It’s people who do, who make a difference in their own lives.
I’m copying and pasti ng the last two sentences of this comment – I’m seeing this more in my middle age – those who have talked and those who have done. I met the actor Elya Baskin many many years ago (he is a relative of the boyfriend I had in those times) and he said “you can either sit around and smoke joints or you can go out do something – time will pass either way” Before acting he was making a good living selling insurance but decided to get out of his comfort zone.
Wow, congrats to them! I like the name Bennett.
And thats the way you do it. LOL.
Dang I thought I saw her on a talk show like Ellen or The View recently.I guess not
Good for them! My mother had my brother at that age. It kept my parents young.
Staying out of the tabs is probably healthy for a marriage.
Well it depends on if you’re feeding them info, for one, and two, it depends on if you take that kind of stuff to heart.
Yeah, Brad & Angie seem to make it work, but Laura Linney is low profile enough that she can choose to stay out of the spotlight and I totally respect that she does.
This is wonderful news!! Congrats to them both!!!
Oh, congratulations!
True Facts: When she was in Pittsburgh filming The Mothman Prophecies, she came into the jewelry store where I worked and I changed a watch battery for her. It was right after the Oscars and I wanted to tell her that she looked so pretty that night, but I was too shy so I pretended like I didn’t know who she was. Also, she looked cold and miserable (probably because it was a cold and miserable day).
So yeah! That’s my Laura Linney story. Fascinating, isn’t it? 🙂
I read on Hello magazine site that Liam Neeson walked her down the aisle at her wedding – way cool 🙂
Isn’t my husband so sweet? 🙂
It’s why I love him so much…..
And it was right after Natasha died, if I’m not mistaken.
Liam Neesons is my jam!!!!!
Classic Neesons!
Always liked her, cute husband too.
IMO this is just more proof of the inverse relationship between talent and publicity seeking.
She does have talent, and I admire that she keeps her personal life private. This proves it can be done. Smart move on her part, in my opinion.
She’s such a wonderful actress and I’m glad she kept this quiet. I like that we know next to nothing about her…I just want to watch whoever she plays. If I met her, I’d pretend not to know her either (although i’m terrible at that, i get red easily), just to give her privacy.
I love Laura! This is amazing news! And she does not look 49 AT ALL!
I first saw and loved her in “Tales of the city”, so I think it is incredible sweet that she named her son “Armistead”.
“Tales of the city” was a fantastic show.
Well done!!
Proving once again that if you don’t want every little aspect of your life exposed as a celeb, it’s completely possible. Kim, are you paying attention?
49? Way too old. She is almost 70 when her boy graduates from high school, if she is even still alive. Irresponsible and selfish.
Good grief. It’s her life. Who are you to say she is too old? It’s really none of your business at what age a woman has a baby. I’d personally rather a 49 year old have a baby that she wanted than an 18 year old have one when she’s not ready. I think there are benefits and negatives to both – having a baby super young and having one when you’re older – but every woman is allowed to choose when she has one. You also have no idea when she’ll die. None of us know when we’ll die. You can’t revolve your life around the thought of your death. We are all going to die some day.
I get what Karolina is saying. An old friend just died suddenly of cancer at the age of 48. He left behind a pregnant wife. Who knows…she might live to be 100…or maybe not…
It seems to me that people are going to have an opinion, no matter what. Either you’re too young–so irresponsible, you don’t have enough money, you’re too old—who wants to run around with a toddler, you’re going to die soon, etc. We all just need to live our lives and not worry about what other people say or think…make the right decisions for us. Not the world.
@ dizzy. I’m sorry to read of the loss of your friend. That loss from cancer could have happened suddenly when he was 18 or 88. Should your friend’s wife be denied the love of the child they had together, because some people think 48 is too old to be a father? We never know how much time we have.
I highly doubt that she conceived naturally. And yeah, I witnessed how my best friend grew up who had super old parents who also wanted to feel “young” again when they were pushing 50. Her mom died when she was 14 and her dad when she was 23. Actually my parents helped her with things that her parents should have helped her with, like helping her with moving, all things that required, you know, some sort of being active, which is of course almost impossible when you are 70. While we went out at 19 to party she fostered her dad who was slowly dying of cancer. There are NO benefits for your children when you are 50 and start to have a baby, especially if this is the first child.
“There are NO benefits for your children when you are 50 and start to have a baby, especially if this is the first child. ”
Oh, you KNOW that as a fact?
If so, consider that your own experiences may or may not apply to others.
If you DON’T know, consider growing up a little bit before passing judgement on Life, especially in categoric statements.
If a woman is fertile, then clearly she is NOT “too old” to have a child. Let Mother Nature decide about that, OK?
And BTW, people can – and do – die at any age.
If you are seeking guarantees in life, you are in for many, MANY disappointments.
Good luck
It’s rather absolutist to say that Karolina!
Laura Linney and her husband can financially provide for their child, and we don’t know what kind of support they have from extended family.
I don’t think the vitriol towards older parents is warranted. Kids born to teen parents face more statistical difficulties in their upbringing due to lack of resources, emotional immaturity of parents, and lack of stability.
On a personal note, I am VERY happy my grandmother decided to have 3 kids in her 40s because I very much enjoy existing!
@karolina my parents died when I was young and they weren’t older parents. Whose to say your parents will live to a ripe old age? Sure there are times when I miss my parents terribly and wish they were present at certain events in my life. However, you learn to be efficient and mature without mooching off of your parents. I’ve learned how to be independent & honestly free. Independent. I’ve enjoyed the fact I can do it and have a pretty decent life. Many young people now rely on their parents so much, they are not only self-absorbed but honestly can’t support themselves. They have very limited abilities and are immature. The lack of parents can sometimes lead to an adult being very mature & responsible. While their peers are still feeding off their parents, they are self-reliant adults. So don’t be so haughty and arrogant about people like me without parents. Its rude and very disrespectful.
My great grandmother had my grandfather at age 50. Imagine, if she hadn’t been so irresponsible and selfish, neither I nor my kids would be here today!
🙂
Exactly. And late pregnancies weren’t even all THAT unusual as people may think today.
If a woman is fertile, she can have a child.
Strange how many people seem to be blind to that simple fact of life.
(Or maybe they have been brainwashed by “science” about the many dangers of a late pregnancy. Funnily enough, in all my years living around the world – and seeing MANY very late pregnancies, or the offspring – I’ve never seen a single example of the dangers modern physicians like to yap about.)
It was not unusual for women to have children in their 40s prior to the mid-1900s. I doubt people were telling the ladies then that it was dangerous or how dare they have a child at their age. The medical concern about later births started (in the US) at least a couple of decades ago.
If women did not have kids past 39, my family tree would have a lot less limbs. My best friend was born to parents ages 44 and 50.
Change of life babies. We had a woman in our neighborhood that had a change of life baby at 50. It definitely happens and can surprise a lot of woman.
People never hesitate to call other people selfish, especially when it comes to their choices regarding children. People who choose to have no children get called selfish. People who choose to have loads of children get called selfish (just by different people). Now, apparently, people who have children after a certain age are called selfish. If she even makes it to average life expectancy for a woman in the U.S. (approx. 81 years), she’ll be around until her son is in his *thirties.*
Besides, life is a crap shoot. I have a friend who lost his father while we were seniors in college. My friend was born in his dad’s mid to late twenties. I have another friend whose mom died while we were in our mid-twenties. The mom had my friend at around age 30. Nobody called them selfish or irresponsible. Nobody can predict the future. It’s her life, her body, and her choice.
Yeah, but how “around” you think she will exactly be between 70-80? Why should her teenager kid deal with that?
I know people (myself included) who had parents that were in their 20s when they were born end up with chronic illnesses requiring care (through absolutely no actions of their own) or die of cancer, accidents, etc., before they were 50. I also know a guy whose mother had him at 47 and she is still alive at 93 and needs very little assistance. Life truly is a crap shoot, and you simply cannot plan precisely how things will turn out.
I will add that caring for parents may seem a burden to some, but it can teach you a lot about compassion. We have to play the cards we are dealt.
Why should her teenage son deal with her when she’s in her 80’s? The same reason all us who deal with parents in their 80’s do. Love.
You might try that last word out.
Who knows? How “around” are millions of parents for millions of different reasons? The population of the plant would quickly halt if everyone had to submit their lives to you for approval before reproducing.
@Carolina: there are many young mothers who die daily becuase of various diseases or other accidents. Even if she dies in her 70-s (I hope she has a long life to live) she is a mother now and wil raise a child she loves dearly and that is what matters. Your comment is really heartless. Selfish and irresponsible are women who give birth at a very young age, do not have a job, love going to parties and are not mature enough to raise a child.
This is no excuse. Of course some terrible accident can happen and you die young, this is not the point. But actually at 60, 70 you must be VERY lucky that you are super fit and healthy without some chronic condition. You know what it is called – aging. If you get cancer in your 20, 30ies it is most likely a genetic pre-condition. If you get cancer in your 60ies it is almost always a result of aging. Similiar to a mother who is 16, a mother who is 65 cannot provide a kid with what would be adequate. Actually if the 16 year old mother has parents who care in this situation the kid will not suffer much. Who is there when you are a 70 year old mother to help? Do you really think it is great growing up, being a teenager and fearing that you parents will die like within the next 1-2 years, because they are OLD? I think when you are a teenager you should definitely not worry about things like that.
“But actually at 60, 70 you must be VERY lucky that you are super fit and healthy without some chronic condition. You know what it is called – aging.”
Clearly you live in an unusually toxic or depressing milieu, and I am sure it’s not your fault, but you should be aware that other people’s experiences may not match your own, AT ALL.
In my milieu, people in their 80s riding bikes and living normal lives is not unusual. Being ONLY in their 60s and having a “chronic condition” is not the norm, so it’s certainly no special “luck” to avoid that.
Besides… are you suggesting that life is only worth living unless everything is perfect?
Think about it.
Karolina: First off, thank you for sticking around to talk about your opinion. Second, how old are you? Third, does your friend hate her now dead parents for being old?
Cary Grant became a first-time parent in his 60s, and I’ve never heard his daughter say a negative thing about his parenting or how he was (as it was put here) “super old” to have her.
I would also be interested in Karolina’s age. Caring for parents is a part of love and life. It can be one of the most rewarding experiences.
Screw you. I’m 40, and would love to have kids, but haven’t married yet and don’t want to be a single mom. At this point, I’d be at least 41 before becoming a mother. I suppose I’m selfish too. Not all of us are lucky enough to be judgy teen moms.
I guess this teen mom phenomena is a US thing, it is definitely not very common where I am from, so I can assure you, I am no teen mom, just a person who has experienced how growing up with super old parents is like. I think having having your first kid in your early 40ies is borderline, but everything that is 50 and above is insane.
@Izzy. You are being extremely patient with someone who clearly has an axe to grind. Her experience is only one of many, and there is nothing to say that you wouldn’t be a great mom at any age. I advise you to go to your doctor and get an assessment if you think you might want biological children. You never know whom you might meet in the new few years.
You produce more eggs at 40 than at 42 or 44. You could go through IVF stimulation and put some “away” for potential future use. Current research and testing give 42 year olds the same chances as 32 year olds in carrying to term, as long as the embryo tests normal.
“just a person who has experienced how growing up with super old parents is like.”
I see. I doubt they are SUPER old, but I’ll take your word for it.
Your life may not have been perfect so far, Karolina – but you ARE alive, and it’s thanks to your “super old” parents, who clearly weren’t too old to have you, or they wouldn’t – couldn’t – have had you.
Life is hardly ever perfect. But is a “perfect” life only worth living?
My parents and my husband’s parents are almost 70 and I can assure you they are very much “there”, healthy, fit, handy, and helpful. They haven’t slowed down or have chronic conditions, and are in fact still working full time. There is no reason in today’s world to assume people are falling apart and going senile on their deathbeds by 70. That is ridiculous. This isn’t the Industrial Revolution ffs. Cancer in your 60s isn’t almost always from aging. Where did you dig up that one? It can be a result of genetics just like at any other age, or a toxic environment, or any number of things. I’m sorry your parents haven’t been much help to you but your information is all wrong, Karolina.
Good for LL. I’m very impressed she kept this on the down low.
So, are you effectively saying that you’d wish your parents had never had you…?
@karolina well i have seen how growing up with older parents is by watching my cousin grow up. My uncle became her dad when he was about 50 and now she’s 14 so he’s 64 and it’s not a problem at all. He’s great and always active and the same goes for her mom. He keeps up with her much more than my dad ever did with me when I was 14 lol and my dad was only in his 40’s when i was that age.
Everybody grows up differently and what works great for some people won’t work well for others. That’s just life. We shouldn’t judge somebody just automatically when we aren’t in their personal situation ourselves.
I would think it could present challenges that younger parents might not face, but on the other hand, she has flexibility in her career, and resources that many others don’t. I’m sure this was not a decision they made lightly, but this is ultimately what they decided to do, and I’m happy for them.
Believe you me, selfishness and irresponsibility can occur at any age. (As can poor health.) Kim Kardashian is a name I am just going to leave here.
Better than your country where girls get abortions at 16 eh?
First question, did you say the same when Bruce Willis, Robert DeNiro, Alec Baldwin, etc. had their children? She’s young enough to have a child and old enough to raise him the way she wants. Secondly (and more important), what makes you think you’re entitled to pass judgement on someone else’s life? You might not like or agree, but if you’re not living with the decision, it’s best to keep negative comments within your own confines, and not spew them into the world of others trying to live their lives.
Her choice and her life. It’s frankly none of your business when people make their own adult decisions.
Nobody has the guarantee of the next day , no matter the age.
Why do you care? She is bringing the child into better circumstances than probably 99% of children in the world. Get over it, not your life. She can do what she wants.
Bennett is my dad’s middle name. I’ve always like it!
The fact that no one ever saw her pregnant makes me think she probably used surrogate. Either way, I’m happy for her.
Her rep says she gave birth on Wed.
I have no issue with her age, unless she publicly proclaims that she had this baby with her own eggs, without any medical assistance. I think that is so damaging to the many women out there in their late 30s, early 40s, trying to conceive. That said, LL is awesome and doesn’t strike me as a bullshitter.
Why would it be bullshit if it is the actual truth? She looks great for her age so it wouldn’t surprise me if she is still fertile. My mom’s good friend will soon turn 58 and still gets periods monthly. It’s freaky, but remember all women’s bodies are different.
I’m in the my 60s and the only thing I would want to do less than be a mom at my age is:
tell a woman 49 that she “shouldn’t have a baby.”
Who the hell writes a comment like that? mind your own business
Well said
Very classy. I wish others could learn the lesson here- keep it quite, keep it classy. Don’t sell your child pictures, don’t negotiate any deals to show it.
I think about the children of today’s celebs. One day they will grow up, look at the covers their sold and most likely wonder: Why did you do this to me? I was just a kid
I think this is lovely news and that their son has been blessed with interesting, talented parents who value their privacy. Also, one of the finest young men I know is named Bennett so I associate good things with this name.
I didn’t know she was 49, holy smokes!! I’m not sure I even knew she was past 40. She looks AMAZING. And natural.
Good for LL and congrats to her & her husband!! Glad to hear she’s not letting the judgy, negative opinions of others sway her life choices!
“Glad to hear she’s not letting the judgy, negative opinions of others sway her life choices! ”
Yes. That alone portends a happy and healthy upbringing for the child.
Let’s hope so. Good luck to them.
I truly don’t endorse massive press instrusion/paparazzi chasing into people’s lives. I just think that it’s notable that it’s possible for a celebrity (admittedly, not one admittedly as well known as La Jolie) to hide a PREGNANCY.
I think she lives in Connecticut, so easier to hide it from the press. At least, she used to.
It’s a medical miracle. This is definitely a hot topic of what the ramifications are psychologically for the child that has extremely old parents. Fear of always losing your parents, having to care for your parents at an extremely early age, missing out on your adult relationship with your parents later in life. They have the resources and time on their hands to be actively in their child’s life when the child is young though.
Too old. Fifty is grandma time, not first mom time. Wouldn’t want t deal with a teenager when I was 65. That’s retirement time, unless of course you’re a Hollywood celebrity with plenty of money and nannies. Seriously though, a teenager needs a younger parent. Not another grandmother!
A teenager needs LOVING, INVOLVED parents and that has nothing to do with age,
I can’t believe some of the comments here….smh…
I am thrilled for her. But I doubt very much that with a first baby at 48-49 she was taking any chances. She most likely used a donor egg and stayed off her feet for much of the pregnancy. Good for her. NYC is full of brilliant obstetricians and good for them for getting her through this. Older parents make great parents.
I love the middle name as tribute to Maupin.
If only the story told the REAL story…its about a 99.9% chance that she got pregnant on her own …that ……that was her egg…old eggs dont get fertile and babies born to old mothere’s rs usually have many medical problems …hearing about this birth gives older ~)woman false hopes
If only the story told the REAL story…its about a 99.9% chance that she got pregnant on her own …that ……that was her egg…old eggs dont get fertile and babies born to old mothere’s rs usually have many medical problems …hearing about this birth gives older women false hopes
Not. A Miracle …no miracle here….medical intervention….as in all of the other older women births…..