Jack Black and his kids in December 2019.Photo: Broadimage/Shutterstock
Jack Black’s kids aren’t immune to the “embarrassing parent” phase.The actor and rocker, 53, tells PEOPLE in this week’s issue that while his sonsThomas “Tommy” David, 14, andSamuel “Sammy” Jason, 16, “like some of the stuff I do, for the most part, they’re teenagers like any teenager: They want to get as far away from me as possible.“That being said, theSuper Mario Bros. Movievoice actor knows it’s “natural” and “part of the leaving-the-nest instinct” for his boys to want some distance from Dad at the moment.“I’m not one of those parents that forces them to watch my movies,” Black explains. “I’m like, ‘They’lldiscover it later if they want to.’ I’m not going to make that an issue, like, ‘You need to watch all my films.'“However, Sammy and Tommy are both “stoked aboutThe Super Mario Bros. Movie, and they’re looking forward to coming to that premiere,” Black says. “So that should be fun.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.Jack Black.Leon Bennett/FilmMagicIn fact, his kids are the ones who “introduced” Black to Bowser in the first place, as he wasn’t previously familiar with the villainous character he voices — or, really, theMariogames much at all — despite being a big fan of the original Nintendo Universe.“Donkey Kong was such a huge part of my childhood. But my boysfirst introduced me to Bowserbecause I didn’t even play that until they were playing their Nintendo Switches,” he tells PEOPLE. “That’s when I really got intoSuper Mario Bros.with them.““Bowser was obviously the coolest character in the universe. And when I got the offer, it was an instant no-brainer. Like, ‘Yes.’ Stoked to play that character,” adds theTenacious Drocker.And there’s one game series in theMariofranchise that he’s “pretty darn good at, if I don’t say so myself”:Mario Kart.“There is a level above me. I’m not the top crème de la crème,” Black admits. “But for the average player, I will clean up. I will win.“RELATED VIDEO: From the Big Screen to TikTok, Jack Black Always Has Us LaughingTheKung Fu Pandavoice actor also opens up about being part of a musical family, which includes his wife of 17 years: singer and cellistTanya Haden, who’s also the daughter of late jazz legendCharlie Haden.Asked whether Sammy and Tommy have any musical prowess, Black — who is set tokick off an international tourwith his longtime bandmate,Kyle Gass, on May 6 at theShaky Knees Music Festivalin Atlanta — tells PEOPLE, “I always encourage my boys to pursue their musical passions.““They don’t like me to talk about it, though. They don’t want me to spill the beans on their adventures in that arena,” he adds. “But yeah, I’m very proud of them whenever they flex their creativity muscles.“The Super Mario Bros. Movieis in theaters now.For more from Black, pick up the latest issue ofPEOPLE, on newsstands Friday.
Jack Black’s kids aren’t immune to the “embarrassing parent” phase.
The actor and rocker, 53, tells PEOPLE in this week’s issue that while his sonsThomas “Tommy” David, 14, andSamuel “Sammy” Jason, 16, “like some of the stuff I do, for the most part, they’re teenagers like any teenager: They want to get as far away from me as possible.”
That being said, theSuper Mario Bros. Movievoice actor knows it’s “natural” and “part of the leaving-the-nest instinct” for his boys to want some distance from Dad at the moment.
“I’m not one of those parents that forces them to watch my movies,” Black explains. “I’m like, ‘They’lldiscover it later if they want to.’ I’m not going to make that an issue, like, ‘You need to watch all my films.'”
However, Sammy and Tommy are both “stoked aboutThe Super Mario Bros. Movie, and they’re looking forward to coming to that premiere,” Black says. “So that should be fun.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.
Jack Black.Leon Bennett/FilmMagic
In fact, his kids are the ones who “introduced” Black to Bowser in the first place, as he wasn’t previously familiar with the villainous character he voices — or, really, theMariogames much at all — despite being a big fan of the original Nintendo Universe.
“Donkey Kong was such a huge part of my childhood. But my boysfirst introduced me to Bowserbecause I didn’t even play that until they were playing their Nintendo Switches,” he tells PEOPLE. “That’s when I really got intoSuper Mario Bros.with them.”
“Bowser was obviously the coolest character in the universe. And when I got the offer, it was an instant no-brainer. Like, ‘Yes.’ Stoked to play that character,” adds theTenacious Drocker.
And there’s one game series in theMariofranchise that he’s “pretty darn good at, if I don’t say so myself”:Mario Kart.
“There is a level above me. I’m not the top crème de la crème,” Black admits. “But for the average player, I will clean up. I will win.”
RELATED VIDEO: From the Big Screen to TikTok, Jack Black Always Has Us Laughing
TheKung Fu Pandavoice actor also opens up about being part of a musical family, which includes his wife of 17 years: singer and cellistTanya Haden, who’s also the daughter of late jazz legendCharlie Haden.
Asked whether Sammy and Tommy have any musical prowess, Black — who is set tokick off an international tourwith his longtime bandmate,Kyle Gass, on May 6 at theShaky Knees Music Festivalin Atlanta — tells PEOPLE, “I always encourage my boys to pursue their musical passions.”
“They don’t like me to talk about it, though. They don’t want me to spill the beans on their adventures in that arena,” he adds. “But yeah, I’m very proud of them whenever they flex their creativity muscles.”
The Super Mario Bros. Movieis in theaters now.
For more from Black, pick up the latest issue ofPEOPLE, on newsstands Friday.
source: people.com
