From 'Gossip Girl' To Dad Of Four: 5 Shocking New Details About Penn Badgley's Kids And Family Life
Penn Badgley: A Brief Biography and Family Profile
Before diving into the latest family news, understanding Penn Badgley’s life and marriage provides crucial context for his journey into fatherhood.
- Full Name: Penn Dayton Badgley
- Date of Birth: November 1, 1986
- Age (as of 2025): 38 years old
- Birthplace: Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
- Parents: Lynne Badgley and Duff Badgley (divorced when Penn was 12)
- Spouse: Domino Kirke (Musician, Doula, and Entrepreneur)
- Marriage Date: February 27, 2017 (Married in a private courthouse ceremony in Brooklyn)
- Career Highlights:
- Dan Humphrey on The CW’s teen drama Gossip Girl (2007–2012).
- Joe Goldberg on the critically acclaimed Netflix psychological thriller You (2018–present).
- Wife's Family: Domino Kirke is the sister of actresses Jemima Kirke and Lola Kirke. Her father is Simon Kirke, the drummer for the bands Free and Bad Company.
Badgley and Kirke’s relationship has been notably private, focusing on their shared commitment to the Baha’i Faith and their blended family life. Penn Badgley has frequently spoken about how his marriage to Domino Kirke has profoundly changed his perspective on life and his acting career, a sentiment that has only deepened with the arrival of his children.
The Shocking Arrival of Identical Twin Boys in 2025
The biggest and most recent update to the Badgley-Kirke family came on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, with the announcement that they had welcomed identical twin boys. This news sent a minor shockwave across Hollywood and the actor’s fanbase, as the couple’s pregnancy had been kept relatively low-key.
The arrival of the twins marks the second and third biological children for Penn Badgley and Domino Kirke. The actor, who is already a father to a young son and a dedicated stepfather to his wife’s older child, now finds himself in the whirlwind of raising four boys. During a promotional appearance for his new book, *Crushmore*, Badgley confirmed the news, sharing a glimpse into their new reality.
Speaking on the *Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast* with Amanda Hirsch, Badgley opened up about the experience, noting that having "twin little ones is insane compared to one," but expressing his profound joy in new parenthood. He also shared a heartfelt reflection on his growing family, stating, "the world needs more good men," a sincere nod to the responsibility he feels raising his sons.
The Truth About Penn Badgley’s First Son’s Name: It’s Not James
One of the most persistent pieces of misinformation surrounding Penn Badgley’s family life was recently cleared up by the actor himself, making this a crucial and unique update for fans. For years, it was widely reported across numerous publications that the couple’s first biological son, born in August 2020, was named James.
However, in a recent interview, the *You* star clarified that the name “James” is incorrect. Badgley revealed that the widespread misreporting had persisted for so long that it essentially became a public misconception. While he did not reveal his son’s actual name—maintaining the couple’s commitment to privacy—the clarification confirms that the 4-year-old son, who is now an older brother to the new twins, has a name that remains a private family detail.
This dedication to maintaining a boundary between his public persona and his family life shows a strong commitment to protecting his children from the intense media scrutiny he has faced since his *Gossip Girl* days. The focus is clearly on being a present father rather than a celebrity one.
Navigating Life as a Father of Four and a Stepdad to Cassius
Penn Badgley’s current family structure is a beautiful example of a modern blended family. The new identical twin boys join their older brother (the 4-year-old) and their older stepbrother, Cassius.
The Role of Stepfather to Cassius
Domino Kirke is also the mother of a 16-year-old son, Cassius Riley, from a previous relationship with musician Morgan O'Kane. Badgley has embraced his role as a stepfather with great sincerity since marrying Domino in 2017. He has often spoken about the unique dynamics of their relationship, referring to Cassius as his stepson and part of his integral family unit.
This experience as a stepfather provided Badgley with his first taste of parenthood, giving him a foundation of experience before welcoming his own biological children. The family is now a bustling unit of six, with four boys spanning a wide range of ages, from infancy (the twins) to the teenage years (Cassius). The shift from a family of four to a family of six, all male, is a significant change that Badgley and Kirke are navigating with humor and love.
From the early days of his career as the outsider Dan Humphrey, to the complex, dark character of Joe Goldberg, Penn Badgley’s public life has been one of intrigue. However, his private life, especially as a dedicated husband and now a father of four, paints a much warmer, grounded picture. The recent arrival of the identical twin boys in 2025 is the latest, most joyful plot twist in the life of this beloved actor, cementing his role as a family man above all else.
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