What did Alessandro Nivola's son Sam do that initially upset him?

Sam, Nivola's 22-year-old son, left Columbia University to pursue an acting career, which Nivola initially objected to.

How did Alessandro Nivola's relationship with his son Sam improve?

Once Nivola accepted Sam's decision and told him he just wanted him to be happy, their relationship started to improve, and Nivola has since watched Sam's acting career flourish.

What are Alessandro Nivola and Ethan Hawke considering doing with their sons?

Nivola and Hawke are considering making a film that would feature their sons, Sam and Levon Hawke, as younger versions of themselves.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Downton Abbey Star Embraces Son's Acting Dream After Initial Objections

Downton Abbey Star Embraces Son's Acting Dream After Initial Objections

11 Oct

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Summary

Actor Alessandro Nivola wasn't happy when his son Sam, 22, left Columbia to pursue acting
Nivola eventually supported Sam's decision, and their relationship has since improved
Nivola and friend Ethan Hawke are considering a film starring their sons as younger versions of themselves

Downton Abbey Star Embraces Son's Acting Dream After Initial Objections

In September 2025, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale star Alessandro Nivola, 53, revealed that he was not pleased when his 22-year-old son, Sam, decided to leave Columbia University to pursue an acting career. Nivola, who shares Sam with actress Emily Mortimer, admits that he "tried to talk him out of it" at first.

However, Nivola says that the moment he "threw up [his] hands and said, 'Sam, you know, I just want you to be happy,' that [they] really started to get along." Since then, Nivola has watched his son's career blossom, with Sam starring in popular shows like The White Lotus and The Perfect Couple.

Nivola, who has also acted in films like The Brutalist, now jokes that his son's success is the "only thing" he can "delight in." The father-son duo have even discussed the possibility of working on a film together, with Nivola revealing that he and his friend Ethan Hawke are "cooking up" a movie called Satan Is Real that could feature their sons as younger versions of themselves.

As Nivola reflects on his son's unconventional career path, he seems to have found a newfound appreciation for Sam's passion and determination. The Downton Abbey star's journey of learning to support his son's dreams serves as an inspiring example of the power of parental acceptance and the rewards of embracing one's child's unique aspirations.

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