Hey there, let’s talk about father figures and the profound impact they can have on our lives. Actor Freddie Prinze Jr. has opened up about his own experience with father figures, specifically his uncle, James Barber, who played a pivotal role in shaping the man he is today. This story is deeply personal, and it’s one that resonates with so many of us who’ve had mentors in our lives.
An Early Loss and a Lifelong Lesson
Before Freddie Jr. even reached his first birthday, his father, the legendary Freddie Prinze, tragically passed away. Growing up without a father figure could have been incredibly challenging, but Freddie was fortunate to have his uncle, James Barber, step into that role. This story is beautifully recounted in the book The Life of Dad: Reflections on Fatherhood From Today’s Leaders, Icons and Legendary Dads, which offers a unique glimpse into the lives of fathers and their children.
Uncle James: A Vietnam Veteran and a Man of Principles
In a heartfelt excerpt shared with Closer Weekly, Freddie writes about his uncle James Barber, who was not only a Vietnam veteran but also a man with a strong moral compass. “My uncle James Barber was a Vietnam veteran,” Freddie shares. “He was one of the three main father figures in my life and was certainly the strongest. He believed in standing up for people who couldn’t stand up for themselves. I remember when I was in the sixth grade, I saw a kid getting beat up by an eighth grader. I didn’t do anything because the guy was big.”
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Learning the Art of Standing Up for Others
Uncle James wasn’t just a moral compass; he was also a martial arts enthusiast. Freddie continues, “My uncle taught me how to fight. He was big into martial arts. Instead of learning how to throw spirals, I learned the 1-inch punch. So after I saw this kid get beat up, I told my uncle. He got mad at me that I didn’t stick up for this kid. He asked me what kind of man I was. I asked him what he meant by that. I get kind of choked up just talking about it. He said, ‘A real man stands up for people who can’t stand up for themselves. If you are any kind of man of mine, you will know that.’”
These words from his uncle left a lasting impression on Freddie, one that he carries with him to this day. It’s not just about fighting; it’s about standing up for what’s right, even when it’s hard.
Passing Down the Legacy to the Next Generation
Freddie’s experiences with his uncle have influenced how he raises his own children with his wife of 16 years, Sarah Michelle Gellar. He wants his kids — daughter Charlotte Grace, 9, and son Rocky James, 6 — to grow up with the same values he learned. “The next day at school, I went up to the kid and whooped him up so bad,” Freddie recalls. “I got sent to the principal’s office. My uncle came to pick me up. He acted mad in front of the principal. When we got out of school, he patted me on the head and took me to Cliff’s, which was an amusement park in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He called me a punk buster. Those are people who see a bully and let them know that they can’t do that anymore.”
View this post on InstagramThey say you don’t really love someone, unless you have fantasized about killing them. @realfreddieprinze I REALLY love you 😉 #happybirthday
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“Now, I don’t want my kids to be a bully or get bullied,” Freddie emphasizes. “I want them to be self-confident. I want them to know that they can take care of themselves. So those are the main things I try to instill in them. My daughter has been taking jiu-jitsu since she was 3 years old. She can choke me out already. Martial arts bring a lot of confidence. I hope that I can instill that in my kids. That would be the main thing.”
A Message for Future Generations
The authors of The Life of Dad, Jon Finkel and Art Eddy, note that Freddie is far from the only father they’ve spoken to who believes in the value of teaching kids martial arts. These lessons aren’t just about physical strength; they’re about building character and confidence. For Freddie, the pivotal moment with his uncle changed him forever, and he hopes to pass on that same sense of integrity and courage to his own children.
The Life of Dad: Reflections on Fatherhood From Today’s Leaders, Icons and Legendary Dads is available beginning May 7. It is available for preorder on Amazon here!
Excerpted from The Life of Dad by Jon Finkel and Art Eddy. Copyright © 2019 by Jon Finkel and Art Eddy. Used with permission of the publisher, Adams Media, a division of Simon & Schuster. All rights reserved.
