Liev Schreiber apologized to his kids for bringing his Ray Donovan character home

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Liev Schreiber reminds me so much of my ex husband that I’m both attracted to and annoyed by him. I feel like I know his issues already, you know? He can be gruff and he’s impossible to live with but he really cares about his family and would do anything for them. I realize that’s ridiculous and most of that is based on his sublime portrayal of Ray Donovan on Showtime. He nails that complicated character and I’m disappointed that he hasn’t won an Emmy yet. There’s still time though because it’s still airing! That’s crazy to me but it’s in its seventh season. There’s no word on whether it’s coming back again next year but I bet it is. I watched Ray Donovan for about three seasons and now that I know it’s still on I may go back and finish it.

Liev was on Colbert, where he said that he can sometimes get too caught up in his character. In fact he was mean to his kids then apologized for taking his work home. He didn’t have a lot of quotable lines but I half love half hate him (as Ray Donovan, I am not confusing him with my personal life!) so I wanted to talk about it. Here’s some of what he said and the video is below.

On the challenge of doing a character for seven years
The world gets to watch you get older. I’ve always been a kind of technical actor. Doing a kind of functional serial killer for years has been challenging.

The other day I was a little hot tempered with my kids. I sat them down and I said ‘you know guys, I’m really sorry but I think daddy’s bringing home work once in a while and I owe you an apology.’ I was pretty impressed with how well they took it.

“Did they agree with you?”
Yes. They think Ray Donovan’s a real a-hole, so it was good that we cleared the floor.

On his awesome Twitter bio about his “Slavic fat pads.”
It means you have fat cheeks. Eastern Europeans are genetically prone to fat cheeks. Putin, fat cheeks. “You could play Putin.”

[From The Late Show via YouTube]

You get the sense that Liev and ex Naomi Watts are dedicated to their kids and that they would do anything for them. They also have such a good balance between posting photos of their kids, being ok with getting papped, and not selling an image that’s totally reliant on them being parents and amicable toward each other. (*cough* Garner-Afflecks.) That’s so sweet that he apologized to his kids like that. When I get pissy I try to own it and apologize to my teenager, and I think it helps. I am trying to see his perspective as much as possible but sometimes nothing gets done unless I get a little stern. So it’s a balance. You want to understand them but not give them enough leeway so they don’t take responsibility.

As for his fat cheeks, that’s also why he reminds me of my ex! He’s Eastern European too. I never realized that. I think they’re cute and that a face like that is attractive. As long as the guy is fit enough those kind of cheeks look good.

Here’s Liev’s interview!

One of our photo agencies had their date system mixed up and these photos of Liev and Naomi in 2006 came up toward the top. Look at them they are adorable!! *cry face emoji* Also, can I still find that purse? I want it.
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photos credit: Look Press/Avalon.red and WENN

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9 Responses to “Liev Schreiber apologized to his kids for bringing his Ray Donovan character home”

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  1. Lizzie says:

    he and naomi watts seem like incredibly sensitive, hands-on and thoughtful parents.

  2. Lucy says:

    I always love it whenever they greet each other for their birthdays and Mother/Father’s day!!

  3. Sumodo1 says:

    I cried a little at the news they were separating . They looked sweet together. Yes, temperament matters a lot within the family.

  4. jbyrdku says:

    I try to own my own jerkiness, too. When I was younger I wouldn’t give it a second thought, but now I appreciate being able to clear the air and own my own shit. There’s not much that can’t be fixed with a sincere apology.

  5. Bella Bella says:

    I tried watching Ray Donovan for the first time just the other day. He was excellent but Jon Voight is in it and I think he is creepy and reprehensible. As long as Voight is in it, I’m out.

  6. Mabs A'Mabbin says:

    There is one enormous trick when ‘handling’ your children as they grow into their teenage years — honesty. If you’re not able to face your own shortcomings and openly discuss your fallibility, forget about making connections lol. He reminds me of the men in my life as well. Gruff but caring. Angry but simple and genuine.