Michelle Pfeiffer's Two Kids: Meet Claudia and John
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- UPDATED MAY 17, 2024
by Tasha Mayberry
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Three-time Oscar winner Michelle Pfeiffer is a proud mother of two. The celebrated actress shares her daughter, Claudia, and son, John, with her husband, television writer and producer David E. Kelley. Pfeiffer was already in the process of private adoption when she met Kelley, and in March 1993, she adopted newborn Claudia Rose. Pfeiffer and Kelley married in November 1993, and they welcomed their son, John Henry, less than a year later. In 2007, as her children were growing up, Pfeiffer shared her aspirations for Claudia and John with Good Housekeeping. “I want them to be fighters; I want them to be survivors; I want them to believe in something and stay true to themselves,” she explained. “My grandmother raised five children on her own during the Depression… She was a true survivor, and that’s my heritage. That’s how I want my kids to be too.
Claudia Rose Pfeiffer, aged 31
Pfeiffer finalized the adoption of her daughter, Claudia, in March 1993, just two months after meeting Kelley on a blind date. “The adoption process was already underway when he and I met,” Pfeiffer revealed to Good Housekeeping in 2007. “So when she arrived, we had only been together for about two months. It was a unique situation, but it really showed me what he was made of. And he rose to the occasion admirably.” During the same interview, Pfeiffer couldn’t help but praise then-14-year-old Claudia, describing her as “a force to be reckoned with” and “an amazing human being.” “Boy, my girl is anything but ordinary,” she beamed. “I wanted her to grow into an independent, outspoken young woman, and she has certainly exceeded my expectations. She’s also incredibly creative and curious. And what’s so exciting about this stage of her life is that she’s truly coming into her own. She’s everything I ever hoped she would be.
Claudia earned her bachelor’s degree in Slavic languages and literatures from Princeton University in 2015, followed by two degrees from Columbia University: a master’s degree in Russian literature in 2019 and a master of philosophy in Slavic languages in 2021. While she generally shies away from the spotlight, Claudia has made a few public appearances alongside her family over the years. In 2007, she accompanied her family to the premiere of “Hairspray” and was also photographed with her parents at the 2010 Oscars. In June 2021, the proud mother shared a rare selfie with her daughter on Instagram, capturing a sweet moment between them. “Out on the town with my girl,” Pfeiffer captioned the post, accompanied by a red heart emoji.
John Henry Kelley, aged 29
Pfeiffer and Kelley welcomed their son, John Henry Kelley II, in August 1994, naming him after Kelley’s father, U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Coach John Henry “Jack” Kelley. Similar to his older sister, John has maintained a low profile. However, he did attend the premiere of “Hairspray” with his family in 2007 and supported his mother when she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame the same year. John and Claudia also provided inspiration for some of their father’s work when they were younger. During a 2022 appearance on “Live with Kelly and Ryan,” Pfeiffer revealed that Kelley “once wrote a scene” based on one of their children’s experiences with lice. “One of them got head lice in elementary school,” the actress explained.
And it took three of us working on these kids’ heads to get rid of those nits. And I turned to [Kelley] and said, ‘If I see this in one of these shows…’ And of course, it was in one of his shows,” she added. In September 2021, Pfeiffer shared an endearing black-and-white photo of herself with her then-young children on Instagram to mark National Daughter and Son Day. “I love these two rascals,” she captioned the post. “From the moment they were born, they gave me and continue to give my life a depth of meaning beyond measure. 18 months apart. Best friends. Inseparable.
Who Is Michelle Pfeiffer's Spouse? Meet David E. Kelley
Michelle Pfeiffer and David E. Kelley’s love story had a unique beginning. The “Scarface” actress and the television writer were introduced on a blind date in early 1993, where they immediately hit it off. At the time, Pfeiffer was in the process of adopting her daughter, Claudia, and just two months into their relationship, she brought Claudia home. Reflecting on this period, Pfeiffer shared with Good Housekeeping in 2007, “We both got to see each other as parents before we progressed in our relationship together, and in a strange way, it took the pressure off, as a couple.” She added, “It was sort of perfectly timed. I mean, it’s a real testament to the kind of person he is, but also to the fact that sometimes the traditional way of doing things isn’t always the best way.” The couple exchanged vows in November 1993, with Kelley officially adopting Claudia the same year. Their family expanded the following year with the arrival of their son, John Henry. In November 2023, Pfeiffer and Kelley celebrated “30 years of bliss,” with the actress marking the occasion by sharing a rare photo with her husband on Instagram. So, who is the TV writer who captured Pfeiffer’s heart all those years ago? Keep reading to discover everything about David E. Kelley.
