Actor's Nostalgic Return to Small Town Life

Actor Robert Sean Leonard, who narrates new episodes of PBS's 'New York: A Documentary Film,' recently shared his reasons for leaving New York City to raise his family. Despite his fondness for the city where he began his career at 16, Leonard and his wife Gabriella Salick opted for a small-town environment in New Jersey for their three daughters. He stated that New York City was not suitable for his family, preferring the sense of nostalgia and community he experienced during his own childhood.

Leonard now embraces his role as a 'school dad,' actively participating in his daughters' lives by attending school events and cheering them on at their sports. He finds deep satisfaction in revisiting familiar places from his youth, like the grammar school he attended and the high school field where his daughter now cheers. While acknowledging the unique benefits of a New York upbringing, he values the screen-door life and the freedom of children playing in backyards, a contrast to a homogenized suburban environment.

The documentary series he narrates, 'New York: A Documentary Film,' features two new episodes focusing on the city's transformation. 'Shadows of the Past' examines its decline and resurgence before 9/11, while 'The Future of Cities' chronicles New York's recovery post-9/11, through events like the 2008 financial crisis, Superstorm Sandy, and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, concluding with the inauguration of Mayor Zohran Mamdani in January 2026. Director Ric Burns praised Leonard's narration and highlighted New York's unique ability to make everyone feel at home.